WHAT ARE COCOA NIBS?
Cocoa beans are fermented and roasted cocoa beans. A single cocoa bean contains 1 fat (cocoa butter), 1 carbohydrate (mostly fiber and a small amount of sugar), 1 protein (including arginine, glutamine, and leucine), 3 polyphenols (flavonoids and proanthocyanins), and less than 1 trace minerals, including magnesium, iron, copper, and phosphorus.
You've seen cocoa beans, and maybe even inhaled their delicious, chocolatey scent. So, what are cocoa beans used for? While they can't replace chocolate chips because of their bitter taste, they do work in many foods that also contain chocolate chips, such as cakes, cupcakes, granola, cookies, and brownies. They're delicious mixed into oatmeal and hot cereal some people even enjoy them in cold cereal. Cocoa beans work especially well when paired with sweet ingredients. This balances their bitterness and makes them truly enjoyable.
Still unsure what cocoa beans are used for? Here are a few ways you can use and enjoy the crunchy, addictive flavor of cocoa beans.
8 Ways to Use Cocoa Beans
How to Use Cocoa Beans? Add them to Granola!
Cocoa beans work wonderfully in many homemade granola recipes. Add a few tablespoons per half cup (about 3 to 4 cups of granola) to a batch of granola after baking. You can also sprinkle a pinch of beans over a bowl of granola with some fruit or dried fruit when serving.
How to Use Cocoa Beans? Sprinkle them in Smoothies and Smoothie Bowls!
Cocoa nibs make a great topping for smoothies and smoothie bowls. They balance the sweetness of the fruit and add a bit of crunch, which can help stimulate your digestion so your body can absorb the nutrients in your smoothie more efficiently.
How to Use Cocoa Nibs? Add Them to Nut Mix!
Enhance your homemade nut mix by adding a few tablespoons of cocoa nibs. Cocoa nibs pair exceptionally well with nuts, dried coconut, and fruit, so they work perfectly in a healthy, homemade nut mix. Start by adding a small amount to see how you like the flavor, then gradually increase the amount until you find the perfect balance.
How to Use Cocoa Beans? Add them to Ice Cream!
Want a sprinkle of cocoa beans in your ice cream? You'll love the taste of cocoa beans! Mix a few cocoa beans into a bowl of ice cream for a delicious treat. Try this five-ingredient coconut milk ice cream for a perfect base for using cocoa beans as a mix-in.
Considering all the other uses for cocoa beans, we're assuming salads aren't high on your list. Ditch those carb-heavy croutons in your pantry and add something different to your salad. A quick sprinkle of cocoa beans can go a long way to make a salad more interesting Especially if it's a fruity salad like this refreshing strawberry-spinach salad.
How to Use Cocoa Nibs? Add Cocoa Flavor to Cream!
Take 1 4 cup roasted cacao nibs and stir in 1 cup heavy cream. Heat the mixture in a saucepan until boiling, then remove the saucepan from the heat. Cover and let it steep for 20 minutes. Strain the beans and chill the infused cream in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours. Leave the infused cream unwhisked to use as a creamer for coffee or hot chocolate. Alternatively, you can whip the cream as you normally would (add sweetener if desired) and use it as a topping for hot chocolate, coffee, or other desserts.
How to Use Cocoa Beans? Make Hot Brewed Cocoa!
If you're trying to avoid caffeine or quit coffee altogether, you can make a coffee-like drink with cocoa nibs. This delicious cocoa drink uses roasted cocoa nibs and water in a French press to create a simple, hot drink that will satisfy even the strongest coffee cravings. Add sweetener, milk, or cream as desired until you find the perfect drink for you.
How to Use Cocoa Beans? Use Cocoa Beans as a Garnish!
If you've made pancakes or muffins, sprinkling some cocoa nibs on top makes a nice garnish for extra texture. Whatever you're making, having cocoa nibs sprinkled on top of the batter is a great example.
