5 Surprising Cocoa Butter Secrets You NEED to Try Now!

You're probably pretty familiar with cocoa butter like.....really familiar as it's mainly used for chocolate production - this is in fact the biggest use of the cocoa butter in the world. There are manly uses for cocoa butter outside of chocolate due to its high concentration of saturated and healthy fats!

Cocoa butter comes from the cocoa bean of the Theobroma cacao L. plant. Cocoa beans have been cultivated for nearly 3,000 years and were revered by the Aztecs and Mayans before the Columbian Exchange brought them back to the Old World where they became when of the most popular foods on the planet (who doesn't like chocolate)? 

To get to the "butter" of the beans, they're fermented first and then roasted. At this point, the butter is separated from the solids which go on to make cocoa powder. The butter is then either left in its raw state and has a bitter taste similar to dark chocolate or it can be refined to remove the cocoa smell and color.

Cocoa butter is completely solid at room temperature and doesnt start to melt until temperatures reach 93-101 degrees which of course making wonderful for chocoloate to melt in your mouth and not in your hands. What's great about solid fats like cocoa butter is that they are able to maintain their nutrient content even after being exposed to heat unlike unsaturated fats such as olive or vegetable oil. Cocoa butter is extremely rich in antioxidants and it's these antioxidants that provide some of the value in other uses. So, what can you use cocoa butter for?

1) Health Benefits of Edible Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is completely edible as demonstrated by its main use being in the production of chocolate but you can do other things with it. Because it's rich in antioxidants and also boost the immune system, it's super healthy. You could make your own chocolate or puddings with it. You can also use it as a dairy substitute in things like coffee as a creamer (its good, trust me). Cocoa butter also makes a much healthier cooking oil over other oils like vegetable oils that have lost most of their nutrients in the refining process. Of course, it may not be the best choice in every situation, especially if its unrefined cocoa butter due to the flavor but, give it a try and work it into your meals when appropriate.

It's also noteworthy that cocoa butter is considered a heart healthy oil contrary to the old beliefs that saturated fats are bad. The polyphenolic components of cocoa butter have been found to reduce inflammatory markers responsible for atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries).

Just for fun, heres a recipe for making your own chocolate using cocoa butter: 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cocoa butter
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (adjust according to taste)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
• Pinch of salt (optional)

Equipment:

• Double boiler or a heatproof bowl and saucepan
• Chocolate molds or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
• Whisk or spatula

Directions:

1. Prepare Your Setup:

   • Set up your double boiler by filling the saucepan with about an inch of water and placing the heatproof bowl on top, ensuring the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. Alternatively, you can use a microwave in short bursts to melt the cocoa butter.

2. Melt the Cocoa Butter:

   • Cut the cocoa butter into small pieces to help it melt evenly. Place the cocoa butter in the top of the double boiler or heatproof bowl. Heat the water to a simmer and melt the cocoa butter, stirring occasionally until it is completely smooth.

3. Add Cocoa Powder and Sugar:

   • Once the cocoa butter is melted, remove from heat. Sift in the cocoa powder and powdered sugar to avoid lumps. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

4. Flavor Your Chocolate:

   • Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt if desired. Both enhance the flavor of the chocolate, but they can be omitted based on your preference.

5. Pour and Set:

   • Pour the chocolate mixture into molds or onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. If using a baking sheet, you can spread the chocolate out to your desired thickness.

6. Cool the Chocolate:

   • Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or speed up the process by placing it in the refrigerator. This should take about 1-2 hours depending on the thickness of your chocolate.

7. Unmold and Enjoy:

   • Once the chocolate is firm and fully set, remove it from the molds or break it into pieces if it was set on a baking sheet.

Tips for Success:

• Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality cocoa butter and cocoa powder for the best taste.
• Adjusting Sweetness: You can adjust the amount of powdered sugar based on how sweet or dark you prefer your chocolate.
• Adding Inclusions: Consider adding nuts, dried fruits, or a sprinkle of sea salt before the chocolate sets for added texture and flavor.

Enjoy your homemade chocolate as a treat by itself, or use it in baking or as a gift for friends and family!

2) Cocoa Butter for Skin health

You knew this one was coming, right? The most well know benefit of cocoa butter is in the skin care industry. If you've bought lotion, you're likely familiar with cocoa butter as an ingredient. Any saturated fat is great for skin health because they absorb into the skin easily and they're rich in antioxidants that keep skin looking healthy. If you prefer a smoother, more lotion like application, you can blend cocoa butter with another oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oil.

3) Cocoa Butter in Lip Balm

Cocoa butter is a common ingredient in many commercial and lip balms. You can use it in its pure form for the same purposes. If you want, flavor it with essential oils such as peppermint or vanilla. 

Cocoa butter is considered to be an emollient, meaning its adds a protective layer to the skin against cold, dry weather or sun damage.

We at Green Theory Naturals use cocoa butter in all of our all natural lip balms. They're scented exclusively with all natural essential oils such as lime, spearmint, coffee and vanilla and we have an unflavored version as well. Its a great way to incorporate the benefits of cocoa butter into your life. 

4) Cocoa Butter As A Shaving Cream

Lather yourself up with a little bit of cocoa butter before shaving and experience the smoothe, natural glide of a new shaving cream. Don't worry about it cloggin drains as it won't because it melts in the warm water. 

5) Cocoa Butter In Your Natural Deodorant

An additional benefit of cocoa butter is that it protects the skin against razor burn and rashes so if you shave your pits, you'd benefit from applying a deodorant free from irritating chemicals that will bring on razor burn. Instead, use a product that protects the skin against razor burn. Green Theory makes all natural deodorants that feature cocoa butter as a key ingredient in part of our formula. What sets Green Theory natural deodorant apart is it's combination of the odor fighting powers of probiotics and detoxifying ability of bentonite clay. It's fresh pits and peace of mind while getting just a little bit healthier just by wearing deodorant. 

We feature scents for both men and women with daily wear scents scented with essential oils and After Dark (men's) and Evening Wear (women's) collections matched to colognes and perfumes. We donate 10% of all quarterly profits to non-profit environmental conservation organizations. Check us out and save some green by spending some green! 

What do you use cocoa butter for? Let us know in the comments section below!