Cocoa beans are extracted from the seeds of the cocoa tree and come from Bolivia, Venezuela and Peru. The cocoa tree grows in the undergrowth of the tropical rainforests and was already worshiped by the Aztecs and the Mayas. The raw beans are fermented together with the pulp of the cocoa. This process liberates the flavorings and breaks up the organic structures. The dried ones cocoa beans consist of half of cocoa butter and many valuable substances, such as arginine, dopamine and anandamide. Because of their nutrients enjoy the cocoa beans a very good reputation and are considered „superfood“.

What should buyers look for when buying cocoa beans respect, think highly of?

Before buying, every buyer has to ask a few important questions. In any case, should the beans come from a biological production or are non-organic products also eligible? Beans derived from a certified organic crop should have several positive characteristics. Pesticides should not be used during planting or storage. It should not contain nuts and gluten and should not be industrial beans or cloned cocoa (CCN51). Also important are organic farming and fair trade.

Does the buyer want classic beans or would you prefer the smaller cocoa nibs? Should the cocoa beans rather raw or already roasted? If the buyers prefer roasted beans, then you should make sure that the beans are roasted very gently and best in a special cocoa roaster. However, many buyers prefer raw beans as they can be more versatile and contain more important nutrients.

If the buyer is a vegetarian or a vegan, then the cocoa beans Of course, it can be eaten without hesitation. Relevant information on whether the beans are suitable or not can be found on the packaging. In general, the cocoa beans should always be free of binders or colors and should not contain any additional substances. On the basis of the answers can be found despite the large selection of different cocoa beans without problems a suitable variety.

The land of production also plays a role, but of course is not as important as the bean variety. Of course, the size of the package that best suits depends on the buyer’s personal preferences. Particularly useful are the re-sealable packaging, because in these the cocoa beans remain fresh for a long time. Smaller packages contain about 150 to 200 grams of beans, while most packages contain between 250 and 500 grams of cocoa beans. The largest packages contain one kilogram of beans. In general, the buyer saves on the purchase of a larger amount of money.

Many different cocoa bean varieties are sold in the trade

Buyers are faced with a rather wide choice, because the cocoa beans are offered in many different versions. Among other things, the cocoa beans are raw and roasted, as organic or normal and in the form of cocoa nibssold. The nibs are peeled, roasted and broken into pieces cocoa beans. The cocoa nibs can either be added to a variety of foods or, of course, eaten separately as a snack. Furthermore, the cocoa beans are also commercially available in different sizes and from different countries. The cocoa beans come from a strictly controlled organic cultivation, then the beans are also suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The cocoa nibs are especially rich in iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium and calcium. They have very good antioxidant properties and help the body to neutralize the free radicals. Cacao nibs can be consumed as a healthy and dairy-free alternative to breakfast and are also a healthy snack for a TV evening.