Cocoa butter, also known as cacao butter, is the pure, stable fat extracted from cacao beans. It is best-known for its use in body lotions, moisturizers and other personal care products. That said, it is also used in cooking to make sweet and savory recipes. Despite the word “butter,” cocoa butter is vegan and contains no dairy products.
The process of making cocoa butter starts with roasting the beans. Roasting strips them of their hulls, revealing the cacao nibs. The nibs are ground into a paste called cocoa liquor and pressed to release the fat. This fat, called theobroma oil, is the cocoa butter. It is separated from the solids, which are made into cocoa powder.
Cocoa butter holds together at room temperature. It has a mild chocolate flavor, and it has been linked to many health benefits, thanks to the nutritive elements found in cacao beans. Read more…
