If you’re concerned about the chocolate in your pantry, you may want to try using cocoa powder that’s free from dairy and eggs. Cocoa powder is rich in phytonutrients and contains few calories and high levels of supplements. Moreover, it aids in digestion and energy use. However, it’s important to consume it in moderation, preferably in the range of four to six teaspoons a day. Consuming more than this can cause adverse effects, including shaking and migraines.
Hershey’s cocoa powder
You can make vegan chocolates and confections by using Hershey’s cocoa powder. The brand is known for its chocolate and other products made with dairy. While cocoa butter sounds like dairy, it’s a natural fat found in the cacao bean. Though Hershey’s cocoa powder doesn’t contain milk, it does contain sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, and milkfat.
Cocoa powder can be made from raw or Dutch-processed cocoa beans. Raw cacao is the purest form and is not roasted, thus preserving its high nutritional value. Dutch-processed cocoa powder is less bitter and tends to have a darker color.
Fair-trade cocoa powder
The Fair-trade cocoa powder in Hershe’s chocolate bars comes from farmers in West Africa. Hershey says it will continue to purchase beans from the country. But the company recently bought beans from Ivory Coast farmers in exchange for LID. While Hershey does not confirm the amount of beans it purchases from the cocoa futures exchange, it does promise to pay at least $400 LID in the future.
According to Hershey’s, the company is committed to sourcing fair-trade cocoa for all of its chocolate bars by 2020. It has also pledged to increase its investments in communities in Africa to help improve the living conditions of local farmers, including training new farmers in West African villages.
Other brands of cocoa powder
There are several types of cocoa powder on the market. Some brands are vegan and others contain animal products, and these ingredients will change the taste and texture of your cocoa. Natural cocoa powder is the most common and is easily available at most grocery stores. It is usually labeled as unsweetened cocoa powder and has a strong chocolate flavor.
Most cocoa powders contain very few ingredients. However, you should always check the ingredients list to be sure. Some brands contain lecithin, which is an ingredient that is not suitable for vegans. In order to ensure that the product you’re purchasing is vegan, you should look for a vegan certification. This is important both for animal welfare and environmental concerns.
Sources of cocoa powder
When it comes to choosing cocoa powder for vegans, the best source is from a manufacturer that is vegan-certified. Cocoa powder is often processed in the same facilities as other foods, including milk and egg yolks. So choosing a vegan-certified brand is a wise move for those concerned about animal cruelty.
Another source for vegans is a fair trade cocoa powder. While this doesn’t apply everywhere, it is a good practice for those who wish to avoid child slavery. The Fair Trade standard enables companies to make sure they aren’t using child labor. Fair trade chocolate is also better for the environment. Global Exchange is an international human rights organization that is dedicated to ending child labor in the cocoa industry.
