In collaboration with Goodio e Ernesta.Ceramics
It is a truth universally acknowledged that chocolate is loved almost by everyone. It is also true that chocolate it’s not exactly the healthiest and most dietetic thing in this world. That is why I’m about to introduce you a type of chocolate that is not so well known (at least in Italy), but incredibly healthy: raw chocolate. Have you ever heard about it?
What is it and what are its properties?
Raw chocolate is called that way because the temperature kept during the processing of the beans is never over 42°C. Why is this fact so essential? Because in this way the beans keep all their properties that would be otherwise lost if they would be heated, as it happens in all the other kinds of chocolate. So, people, I’m basically talking about a chocolate that you can eat guilt-free, because it’s not endangering in any way your health! The beans are sun dried, so also this part of the process doesn’t involve any heat. The raw beans could be compared to fruits and vegetables. Now I explain you why.
Fruits and vegetables contain enzymes that make them easier to digest. The same thing is valid also for raw chocolate. Those enzymes are so important because, without them, the stomach would need longer time to metabolize the food, hence more energy needed that tires out the all system. In the long run, the stomach becomes “tired” to work on the enzymes’ behalf. This “food of the gods” has many other properties: it’s rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory and fibers, it improves immune system and memory and it gives boost of energy.
The structure of this super chocolate is different from the normal chocolate we all know, it’s rougher and less velvety than the “normal” chocolate and it doesn’t melt in the tongue in the same way. The flavor is really intense and fulls completely your mouth. One little hint about this: don’t eat too much raw chocolate at once, also because of the energy that it will release!
Goodio + CRU Kafe. Raw chocolate + organic coffee: can you imagine anything better?
Goodio and its raw chocolate production
I got to know better this sublime chocolate through a Finnish factory I bumped into online, Goodio, that deserves some more details.
Goodio produces a raw chocolate that is completely organic, vegan, gluten-free, with low glycemic and no GMO, preservatives, additives or any refined sugars. Also, Goodio uses a type of cacao really special: the Pure Nacional. This variety was lost for a century and was rediscovered in Peru just recently. During all these years, undisturbed, it could develop naturally without being altered or crossed with other varieties. Moreover, you have to know that normally fresh cacao beans are purple and, in some rare cases, white. Well, because of all this long process away from human hands, 40% of Pure Nacional’s beans are white! Those beans are not as bitter as the purple ones and are therefore able to give a totally new taste to the chocolate. Besides Pure National, Goodio uses beans from Ecuador, Peru and Sri Lanka.
How is the chocolate produces from the beans? In their small chocolate factory in Helsinki, they grind the raw cacao beans with the rest of the ingredients in a stone grinder for two days. And yes, you read well: two days! The reason behind this choice is to keep the friction as low as possible, so to be sure that the beans wouldn’t overheat because of a fast grinding and they would loose their taste and properties.
As I already told you, Goodio does not use any kind of refined sugars, because they use coconut palm sugar as sweetener.
Here is the list of some of the chocolates this factory produces:
71% Velvet
65% Cool mint
61% Blueberry, with Finnish blueberry
61% Chili
56% Coffee
54% Citrus
51% Dreamy
50% Chai
And here comes the surprise!
Two blades of grass together with Goodio organized a giveaway for all you readers from European Union! Would you like to taste this delicious raw chocolate made in Finland?
This is what you’ll have to do:
1. Follow us on Instagram or like our Facebook page
2. Comment here below (or below the Italian post, but only one comment is allowed) writing what do you think about raw chocolate (have you ever tasted it? Can you easily find it in the area you live?) and what are the 3 bars you would like to taste (you can choose among the bars listed above). You have time till 23.59 of December 18, 2015. We will then extract the winner and contact him/her in private.
Oili
I’ve tasted some raw chocolate’s, they aren’t hard to come by here in Helsinki. Raw chocolate is so delicious and seems healthier than the basic stuff.
These ones seem amazing! Dreamy, Coffee and Chai would be my choices <3
Thais K.
Kiitos Olga! 🙂
Nikolas
I think I’d rather eat raw chocolate than basic average consumer one’s. It makes for great baking component as well, so this would be a great gift for my mom :). I’d like to try the Dreamy, Mint & Velvet ones for sure
Thais K.
It’s true! Soon I’m going to post a recipe with these chocolates actually! Thank you for participating!
Ada
Raw chocolate is my absolute favourite, it is rich and full of taste and gives you good vibes. I’d love to try chai, blueberry and mint.
Thais K.
So true! Thank you for participating! 🙂
Teija Lustig
I would like to taste coffee, citrus and chili. 🙂
redstopgirl
I love chocolate, especially dark, proper chocolate but anything goes (as long as it’s high quality :P) I’m not actually sure if I’ve ever tasted raw chocolate… Once I made my own Matcha Chocolate (http://ketunhanta.blogspot.fi/2015/01/matcha-truffles.html). You should try it, it’s full of antioxidants because of green tea 🙂 I’d like to try Coffee, Velvet and Dreamy.
Thais K.
Your Matcha Chocolates look really good! 🙂
Jesse
I’m not much of a chocolate eater to be honest, but just yesterday I tasted raw chocolate for the first time, I think it was mint chocolate of a sort. As I don’t really spend that much money on chocolate anyway, I’m certain that whenever I do buy it it’ll be raw chocolate, organic at that. I try to choose the organic product over the “regular product” in general too so it’s an easy choice between the oh-so-familiar basic chocolate and organic raw chocolate – definitely the latter. If I happen to win, I’d love to taste Chili, Velvet and… Mint. That last one would go as a present to a fellow mint chocolate loving friend of mine.
Thais K.
Thank you Jesse for participating! I’m of the same opinion: whenever possible, organic is the best choice!
Sippura
I would like to taste chili.
Stephanie M.
I am Canadian/English and I have lived in Finland for over 2 years. I am a lover of chocolate but unfortunately I have yet to try this raw chocolate. I found this article to be really informative and a joy to read. I think this raw chocolate sounds amazing, and chocolate that is healthy is something I want to get into 😀
The ones I would like to try are Velvet, Coffee, and Blueberry, with Finnish blueberry. 🙂
Thais K.
Thank you Stephanie! It is definitely something to try out!
Magda
Wow, that’s very interesting. I think I might have eaten it but without realising that this is raw chocolate. I’d like to give it a “conscious” try (blueberry and citrus sound great!).
Henna simi
Oh,raw choco is soo good And healtly!I’ve made it first time just a couple weeks ago And i must do it again:) i would taste chili,Blueberry And coffee!
Riina
❤️
Harri
I havent tasted raw choclate. But i would like to try dreamy, citrus and mint.
Anna
Sounds delicious! I love all kinds of chocolates, especially the dark ones. The idea of raw chocolate is familiar to me, but haven’t tasted yet. I would love to taste velvet, coffee and chili 🙂
Thais K.
Love dark chocolates too! Thank you for participating Johanna! 🙂
kka1968
I like raw chocolate. In my area there’s no place where I can buy these. My favorites are:
Cool mint
Blueberry, with Finnish blueberry
Chili
Desirée Briguglio
so I hope that you can try these 😉