Cacao Nibs

Cacao prices have surged in recent years, reaching an all-time high in 2024. The primary cause is a global cacao shortage caused by droughts and floods in West Africa, which produces about 80% of the world's cacao. The limited resources of the smallholder farmers there, combined with an increased demand for cacao, a volatile commodities market and supply chain disruptions have only worsened the situation. To maintain the quality of our cacao products while continuing to support fair trade practices and sustainable agriculture, we finally made the decision to raise the prices on our Cacao Powder and Cacao Nibs. We greatly appreciate your understanding and ongoing support!

Cacao nibs are gently crushed cacao beans, the seeds from the cacao tree. They make a great addition to homemade chocolate treats, but unlike chocolate, they aren't sweetened or processed. They're also known for their health benefits, as they are high in antioxidants, magnesium and dietary fiber. Cacao nibs also contain theobromine, a natural stimulant that can improve mood and alertness.

Our organic Cacao Nibs have a bright and slightly bitter taste of unsweetened dark chocolate that can add an intense chocolate flavor and a crunchy texture to sweet and savory dishes alike. Some enjoy the bitter taste, while other prefer our Cacao Sweet Nibs, which are made by rolling our regular Cacao Nibs in just a touch of organic case sugar.

Technically no (and neither is most other “raw” cacao, but that’s a story for another day!). First, our cacao is naturally fermented to increase its nutritional potency, and then it’s briefly roasted to develop its delicious flavor and ensure food safety. All of our nutritional testing is done on our finished Cacao Powder; we are confident that it’s one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet!

No, cacao nibs do not melt when exposed to heat. They are made by crushing whole, organic cacao beans and their texture is comparable to chopped nuts or seeds. They will soften slightly when used in baked goods or soaked in hot water.

Yes, caffeine is naturally occurring in cacao (happily, so is calming magnesium and relaxing theobromine). You can expect 14mg of caffeine per tablespoon in our Cacao Nibs.

Yes, all of our products are tested by third party, independent labs for heavy metals, microbials, and nutritional values. Trace amounts of cadmium and lead are inherent to virtually all minimally processed cacao and we are confident in the quality and safety of our product. Please visit our Help Center for further details

Some of our superfoods fall under CA’s Prop 65 labeling requirements. This is due to trace amounts of heavy metals that are naturally occurring in the organic soils in which our superfoods grow. Please note that Prop 65 is a right-to-know law, and not a determination of a product’s safety. For more information, please see our Help Center articles about Prop 65 here.