Cacao Powder

Cacao prices have surged in recent years, reaching an all-time high in January 2025. 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 powder is made from cocoa beans that have typically been naturally fermented, gently roasted, ground, and cold-pressed to preserve their nutrients. It’s a minimally processed, unsweetened superfood rich in antioxidants, minerals like iron and magnesium, and dietary fiber. In contrast, cocoa powder is typically processed at higher temperatures, often alkalized -a processing step that destroys much of the antioxidant content-and may contain added ingredients like sugar or dairy.

Swapping cacao for conventional cocoa gives your recipes a nutrient boost without compromising flavor—both have a similar unsweetened chocolate taste in their pure forms. However, the flavanols and minerals retained in less processed cacao support cardiovascular and brain health—benefits that are largely lost during cocoa’s high-heat treatment. For those looking to maximize nutrition in smoothies, baked goods, or hot drinks, cacao is a smart choice.

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, and we are confident that it’s one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet!

Yes, caffeine is naturally occurring in cacao (happily, so is calming magnesium and relaxing theobromine). You can expect 20mg of caffeine per tablespoon in our Cacao Powder. Caffeine content varies between the rest of our cacao products; our Cacao Nibs contain 4mg of caffeine per teaspoon while our Cacao Butter is naturally caffeine free.

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 more information.

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.