Cocoa Nibs

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Hi All; I have a new product to roll out to you – and I owe thanks to quite a few of you who suggested that we find a way to carry it and package it for long term storage; Cocoa Nibs... Long term storage chocolate is high on everyone’s list I have been learning, but the shelf life is difficult to nail down for truly long term storage. However, like the Green Coffee Beans we carry, we have discovered that in a form that is as close to raw as you can get, you wind up having an extremely long shelf life AND you get something that is useable and nutritious (AND highly coveted as a trading item). So, what are Cocoa Nibs? Simply put, they are the real deal - 100% pure chocolate (no sugar or milk added), which is what gives them their extremely long shelf life. They are the fully dried, and in this case the slightly roasted seed that comes from the cocoa pod off the cocoa tree (Theobroma Cacao). Cacao is a seasonal crop, grown largely in the Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria and still is harvested by hand because there isn’t a machine made that can choose the right pod. The Nibs are lightly crushed, yielding a lightly crunchy, bitter (unsweetened) highly intense Chocolate flavor. Nibs can be used as substitute for nuts in baking goods, or even as a flavor kick in a cup of espresso. Sprinkle them on yogurt, in cereal and on top of ice cream for a flavorful treat. For an intense Chocolate taste put some Nibs on top of your cakes, brownies, or inside your cookies. Turn a boring breakfast into something spectacular by mixing a few in your oatmeal. You can also grind them with your coffee beans, put them in smoothies and add them to trail mixes. They can even jazz up a peanut butter sandwich. Cocoa is naturally high in potassium and magnesium as well as an excellent source of antioxidants, with a pleasant semi-bitter flavor. In fact, chocolate contains more health-promoting catechins and more phenolic phytochemicals (a type of antioxidant) than green tea or red wine. Cocoa also contains the amino acid tryptophan along with small amounts of phenylethylamine and theobromine which is said to elevate your mood. It is no wonder that raw Cocoa is considered to be an all-natural super food! Why do these Cocoa Nibs have such a long (20+ Year) shelf life? The very low moisture content is the major reason why the shelf life is so long. Low moisture content inhibits decomposition and the development of molds. Our cocoa nibs have a moisture content of about 2.0% or less. Also, the fat in the cocoa nibs is highly saturated, and therefore chemically stable. Stable fats (like cocoa butter) are solid at room temperature. Stable fats are not prone to rancidity, nor are they damaged by exposure to high (cooking) temperatures. Cocoa nibs are approximately 55% fat. Of this fat, about 60% is saturated fat. Rancidity in fat is caused by oxidation. Oxidation is inhibited by antioxidants. Cocoa is an amazingly rich source of antioxidants – and these nibs are Kosher and Allergen Free (gluten, dairy, and nut). This product is Kosher and Allergen Free (gluten, dairy, nut). Thank you for the continued patronage - we appreciate your business very much!