Cacao Fruit Nectar - Nature’s Sweetest Secret
- Rooted Nutrition Staff
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
What if there was a natural, unrefined, whole-food sweetener that supported your health, not just added empty calories? Imagine one that's like nothing else you have ever had. Cacao fruit nectar is the sweetener you've been waiting for.
What is cacao fruit nectar?
Cacao fruit nectar comes from the fruit pulp of the cacao pod. Chocolate is made from the beans of the cacao pod. Traditionally, it is made by opening the pods and separating the beans from the fruit pulp. The fruit is then pressed to separate the juice from the fibrous part. Then the juice is fermented (via lactofermentation, similar to the way sauerkraut is produced) and concentrated (water is evaporated off) to make an incredible, nourishing nectar. There are modern, more industrial production methods, but these cause loss of nutrients and beneficial compounds. The traditional ways of making it produce a much better nectar, but most companies prefer the newer methods because they are faster and cheaper.
The benefits of cacao Fruit nectar
Cacao nectar is way more than just a sweetener, though. It’s a gut-loving tonic packed with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and prebiotics. The traditional fermentation process of making cacao nectar means it’s rich in lactic acid producing probiotics (from the lactobacillus genus)! How many other sweeteners have all of these fantastic properties? Having another way to add more good bacteria to your diet is a great thing. Traditionally produced cacao fruit nectar is a whole food sweetener.
How does cacao Fruit nectar taste?
You might think cacao nectar tastes like chocolate, but it does not. It tastes sweet, but not in the same way as regular sugar. It has some fruity notes, often described as having hints of citrus or tropical fruit. Some people describe it as having a "vegan honey" like taste. This is due to its sweet and somewhat floral qualities. In essence, it offers a refreshing and vibrant flavor.
How can you use cacao Fruit nectar?
Cacao nectar can be used in a variety of ways, just like you would use honey or maple syrup. You can bake with it, cook with it, and use it in smoothies and drinks. For baking, use ⅔ a cup of cacao nectar for every cup of sugar and reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe by a ¼ cup for every cup of cacao nectar used. It can be used as a one to one replacement for honey, maple syrup, or molasses. You can also take a spoonful daily for gut health and nutrient benefits.
How should Cacao fruit nectar be stored?
Cacao nectar should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Cacao Fruit Nectar Recipes
With gardening season upon us (get out there and put your hands in some dirt), it’s the perfect time for a refreshing spring beverage. Our first recipe balances the sweetness of cacao nectar with the tartness of lime and a hint of mint.
Cacao Fruit Nectar Spritzer:
Ingredients:
1-2 tablespoons of cacao nectar (more if you like it sweeter)
1-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (more or less to taste depending on how sour you like it)
1 cup chilled sparkling water
Fresh mint leaves
Lime slices (for garnish)
Ice cubes
Instructions:
In a pitcher or large glass, pour the cacao nectar and fresh lime juice.
Stir well to combine the nectar and lime juice.
Pour in the chilled sparkling water.
Gently muddle a few fresh mint leaves in the drink to release their flavor.
Add ice cubes to chill the drink.
Garnish with lime slices and a sprig of mint.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Optional Variations:
Ginger Zing: Add a few thin slices of fresh ginger or a splash of ginger ale for a spicy kick.
Berry Boost: Muddle in some fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries) for added flavor and color.
Coconut Cream: Add a tablespoon of coconut cream for a richer, creamier texture.
It would not be a good article about Cacao without an incredible gluten-free, flourless cacao cake recipe!
Flourless Cacao Cake:
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup Seleno Health Cacao Nectar (more can be added if you like a sweeter cake; add gradually to avoid making the batter too runny)
5 large eggs, separated
1/4 cup Seleno Health Cacao Powder
A pinch of salt.
Instructions :
Prepare the Pan:
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease an 8-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
Melt Chocolate and Butter:
Melt the cacao paste and butter together in a double boiler, stirring until smooth.
Combine Wet Ingredients:
Whisk the cacao nectar and egg yolks into the melted chocolate mixture until well combined.
Add Cacao Powder:
Sift the cacao powder and salt into the wet mixture and fold until combined.
Whip Egg Whites:
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Fold Egg Whites:
Gently fold one-third of the whipped egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Then, carefully fold the remaining egg whites in two additions, being mindful not to overmix.
Bake:
Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the edges are set and the center is slightly soft.
Cool:
Let the cake cool completely in the pan before removing it.
Serving:
This cake is delicious on its own or with a dusting of cacao powder, fresh berries, or a dollop of whipped cream and vanilla ice cream!
Ethical sourcing of cacao fruit nectar
As with other cacao products, it’s essential to know precisely where your Cacao comes from to avoid ethical issues such as slavery, child labor, and poor treatment of farmers. So much cacao production around the world is unethical.
You should look for cacao nectar that can be traced back to the farms it came from.
If there are a lot of middlemen involved or it comes from a vast number of farms all mixed together, it can be nearly impossible to know if it was ethically produced.
It’s also important to know that the farmers are well paid for their work because everyone deserves to be paid fairly for hard work and live a life of dignity.
Check out our Farm-To-Bottle Project to learn more about the importance of the traceability of your supplements. Because if Farm-To-Table is great for foods, why shouldn’t we apply that same standard to our supplements?
Seleno Health Cacao Fruit Nectar
We are excited to partner with Seleno Health to bring another fantastic cacao product to the US. Their cacao nectar is made from native cacao varieties grown by skilled farmers in Chazuta, Peru, a region celebrated for its sustainable practices and rich cacao heritage. The farmers are paid a fair price for their Cacao, and no forced labor or child slavery is used on the farms. Each jar captures the magic of sixty-six cacao pods, concentrated into a rich, prebiotic, and probiotic syrup that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.
Their Rescue Cacao Program is doing incredible things for the cacao farmers of Peru.
For over 30 years, farmers of Cacao in Peru have been pulled into an illegal drug trade by cartels needing coca plants to produce cocaine for export into Western markets. This has left Indigenous farmers and their communities devastated and often threatened with bloodshed and violence to comply, plus instilling a disconnect and loss of the traditions, wisdom, and connection with Cacao as a master plant.
In 2012, the Rescue Cacao Program was developed to bring change to the industry. The program helps farmers purchase farming equipment to produce the finest organic Cacao for export. By choosing this Cacao, you help them to reconnect with their ancestral roots of Cacao cultivation and help preserve the culture and history of Cacao in Peru. They also support the Mishollo Agrarian Community in Tocache, Peru, by aiding the liberation from drug cartels and criminal oppression and reconnecting them with their ancestral roots of Cacao cultivation.
We are so proud to be working with them. If all companies operated the way they do, the world would be a much better place!
Cacao fruit nectar questions and support
If you have questions about cacao nectar, email us at info@rooted-nutrition.com, and we would be happy to answer them!