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At One Degree Organics, we traveled around the world to source a superfood ingredient famously known as cacao. Why? Apart from its nutritional benefits, the organic cacao ingredient adds a rich and mouth-watering flavor to our;  Cacao Mint Tea Infused Granola, Sprouted Cacao Nib Instant Oatmeal, Sprouted Brown Rice Cacao Crips, and our Sprouted Oat Quinoa Cacao Granola. 

Join us as we explore how cacao is processed, discover the purest form of cacao, and answer nutritional questions like whether cacao is vegan, gluten-free, and caffeine-free. 

What is cacao?

Cacao is also referred to as Theobroma cacao. Theobroma, is the Latin name, given by Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus directly translates to ‘Food of the Gods.’ Cacao, however, comes from the Nahuatl (Aztec) word xocolatl, which means ‘bitter water.’¹

How is cacao grown? A cacao tree is born from a seed found in the cacao pod; the seed will not grow if it is dry. When the cacao tree grows it produces beautiful large leaves and cacao pods. These pods contain the beans used to make cacao nibs, chocolate, paste and more.

The cacao tree produces fruit, yes you read that right. When cracking open a cacao pod, you will find a juicy fruit layer which covers the key ingredient-cacao beans. The cacao tree is also referred to as an evergreen tree since it does not shed its leaves during colder months of the year, unlike other trees.

Where is cacao grown? The cacao evergreen tree is approximately 8m in height and is grown in warmer climates like its native Central and South America region.²

How does cacao taste? Well, when harvested the pods are opened to produce the cacao fruit pulp which covers the beans. The fruity pulp is sweet and juicy, however, the bean itself holds a bitter and more intense flavor. The bean is where all the nutrients and minerals are stored.

How is cacao processed?

It is not hard to see why there are so many chocolate lovers around, but apart from its mouth-watering taste there is a lot of work that goes into harvesting the cacao pods, processing the cacao beans, and ensuring the same beloved taste is enjoyed by millions around the world.

At One Degree Organics, we travel far and wide to locate the purest ingredients, when doing so, we visit the local farms, meet the farmers who educate us on how the ingredients are grown, and processed, and taste the quality for ourselves.

One of our farm partner’s Villa Andina is in Peru, they work alongside the local cacao farmers that provide us with the superfood ingredient found in all our cacao-based products. We have been fortunate enough to shake the hands of these cacao farmers in Peru who place the utmost care in harvesting these rich beans.

After the cacao pods have been harvested, the pods are opened to collect the cacao beans. The cacao beans are unloaded at their processing facility where quality assurance checks are completed to ensure cacao beans are free from plagues. Once the cacao beans have passed the quality checks, they are fermented to produce its rich deep flavor before being processed.

Types of cacao

The cacao beans can be processed into the following products;

• Cacao beans

• Cacao nibs

• Cacao paste

• Cacao butter

• Cacao powder

• Chocolate

When it comes to the beans the main challenge is the high humidity that can be a result of heavy rain. When beans are processed, they are placed in the sun or machine dryers to achieve the right humidity and placed through sieves to obtain purity.

The cacao nibs are the first product that is obtained when processing cacao. The cacao bean is roasted or dried to obtain 4% humidity. According to our farm partner the cacao nibs found in our oatmeal’s, granolas, and cereals are the purest form of cacao.

Nibs also hold about 50%-55% cacao butter within the bean itself. Once the nibs have been formed it is then ground into smaller particles which form a cacao paste. The cacao paste contains cocoa solids and cocoa butter in their natural propositions.

The cacao paste is further refined by heating and mixing which enhances the flavor and improves the texture. The paste is then placed into molds, however, if it is being used to produce chocolate, it undergoes a tempering process.

Cacao butter is extracted from cacao beans using a hydraulic press which separates the cocoa butter from the cocoa solids. Once this is completed, the cacao butter will undergo a filtration process to ensure the butter is pure.

Cacao powder is obtained as a by-product of the cacao butter. This powder is produced by pressing out the cocoa butter from the cacao paste. When it comes to chocolate, however, cacao paste is refined even more and depending on the chocolate, sweetener, milk, and cocoa butter is added to produce the chocolate bars you love and know.

Cacao vs Cocoa

In simple terms, cacao is the raw form of cocoa. Cacao is transformed through the process of fermentation which develops the intense chocolate flavor, drying which ensures right humidity, then roasting, extracting, and grinding to produce cocoa powder.³

Are cacao nibs sweet?
Cacao beans and nibs have a more intense bitter taste, so it can be overpowering if used in natural form. Cocoa on the other hand, offers a mellower taste which is great for baking or making chocolate.

Health benefits of cacao

Cacao is a superfood filled with a rich source of nutrients and minerals that have numerous benefits. Let’s break down the ways in which cacao loves your body by discussing what the benefits of cacao really are.

Cacao nibs are a rich source of fiber, which is essential for maintaining good digestive health. And that’s not all, cacao beans are also rich in antioxidants that aid in reducing inflammation and damage to the body.
⁴

But wait there’s more! Cacao is one of the highest plant-based sources of magnesium. Why is magnesium important? Well, it’s the fourth most abundant mineral in the human body and magnesium deficiency is associated with cardiovascular, chronic, and inflammatory diseases. So, by consuming cacao you are providing your body with the much-needed boost of essential nutrients.⁵

Have you ever heard of flavonoids? In simple terms, they are a group of bioactive compounds that are associated with reducing the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorder. ⁶

Chocolate, cacao, cocoa have the highest levels of flavonoids than any other food. These bioactive compounds also support the body by regulating how it digests carbohydrates, now if this is not love, I don’t know what is.

Apart from all these benefits, cacao has the power to improve mental health. The amino acid called tryptophan is found within the cacao bean. Tryptophan is a compound which is used by the body to secrete our feel-good hormone, otherwise called serotonin. So, the next time you feel stressed or blue, release some tension by enjoying the rich and bold taste of cacao. ⁷

Cacao beans contain a high source of iron which is needed for producing protein for red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout the body. For vegetarians and pescatarians, cacao beans are an excellent source of iron. Cacao is not only delicious but also a superfood that can love you back with its rich benefits.

At One Degree Organics we only use cacao nibs in our products to ensure that every spoonful is packed with the beloved flavor of chocolate and the rich wholesome benefits of cacao.

Cacao nutritional facts

From cacao beans to, cacao nibs, powder, paste and chocolate, there are so many ways to enjoy this amazing ingredient. But, before you do, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and answer the top questions about cacao.

Are cacao nibs vegan? Absolutely! Cacao is a plant-based ingredient, so if you plan to use it in its natural form, you have nothing to fear. Chocolate is made from cacao butter, powder, sugars, and milk, depending on what chocolate brand you love, and because of the milk it does not make it vegan or healthy with all the added sugar.

Is cacao gluten-free? Cacao is 100% gluten-free. Lastly, is cacao caffeine-free? Unfortunately, no. Cacao nibs contain around 4.6 mg of caffeine per spoon. But don’t worry, it’s not enough to keep you up all night.

This is how much nutritional value is in 3 spoons of cacao nibs:

Table sourced from: U.S Department of Agriculture, FoodData Central Search Results

At One Degree Organics, we take pride in sourcing our cacao with love and care. Our cacao-based products are not only delicious but also ethically sourced. If you are looking for some mouth-watering cacao recipes, look no further! We have a list of amazing Family Recipes for you to try out. And if you want to stay up to date on our latest news, recipes, products, and farmers, sign up for our newsletter today. 

References:

The post Cacao: The Organic Superfood Ingredient appeared first on One Degree Organics.

What Makes Our Organic Oats Special?

Our oats are special for many reasons—but above all else—it starts with the relationships we build with our farmers. In the case of our oat farmers, they partner with us because they share our passion for organic farming and dedication to producing the highest quality product.

“It’s not just a business transaction”, says Ali Biglar, Director of Procurement at One Degree, “the farmers work with us because they want to support us… they share our values.”

Farmers are looking to build a long-lasting relationship with someone they can trust, that is why we focus on building a mutually beneficial partnership. By getting to know the farmers and their families on a personal level, and paying them a fair price, we do everything we can to support them. Top quality oats require top quality service and relationship building.

Shared Values

One Degree is family-owned and family focused. So it is no surprise we prefer to partner with family-run farms to source our organic ingredients whenever we can. But being a family-run farm is far from the only requirement. We also make sure that every farm we partner with shares our values.

In addition to family, we look for farmers that value clean ingredients and building connections. Connecting with our farmers and sharing their story becomes the foundation of our relationship. Together, we can work to bring healthy, organic, plant-based foods to our customers.

Our excitement for producing the best oats around is shared by the farmers we partner with. They are thrilled to share their organic oats with our customers, and they are even more excited when we get to visit them.

Ali made a trip to northern Alberta to visit some of the farms in the area and he was amazed by the level of enthusiasm these farmers have for organic farming. “They love to take you around, show off the farm and tell you all about the process. They truly believe in organic farming!”

This shared set of values between our company and our farmer partners is what makes our oats special. Our farmers are commited to clean, organic ingredients, and they care just as much about the customer as we do.

Growing with Our Farmers

Even recently, Ali reports we are buying double the oats we did the year prior. This massive increase in demand for our organic oats means we now need multiple farmers to keep store shelves stocked, where we once only needed one.

Maintaining our high standards for the quality of our oats while ramping up our production can feel like a tall order. But by working with farmers who care deeply about producing the best organic, gluten-free, glyphosate-free oats on the market, that task becomes a bit less challenging. Finding more oat farmers that share our values and fondness for high quality oats has been key to our growth. Starting with just one oat farmer, we have grown our network to 16 different oat farms, each with their own unique story to tell.

Where Our Organics Oats Are Grown (and Why It Matters)

We nurture our relationships with the same level of care as the farmers nurture their crops. And although this is key to producing the best oats, Mother Nature plays her role as well. Canada’s prairie provinces produce some of the best oats in the world. The area in northern Alberta—where our new farmers grow—is especially well-suited to oat farming. But the favorable climate and long daylight hours are only part of the story. The area is also home to a strong network of organic oat farmers who support one another. Organic farming is more than an occupation there—it is a way of life. And the strength of their community comes out in the quality of the oats they grow.

Not Just a Transaction

Building a strong personal relationship with our farmers is the key ingredient to providing the best oats for our customers. And our farmer partners are happy to join us in our mission, simply because we treat them with respect. We proudly feature our farmers because we believe they should be recognized for their hard work and dedication. And to them, we are more than just a faceless brand trying to get the lowest price on a commodity transaction. One Degree takes great time and care in establishing long-lasting, mutually-beneficial relationships with all of our farmer partners.

As co-owner Stan Smith likes to say, “One Degree isn’t a product with a story, One Degree is a story with a product.” And that story starts with our farmers. Our commitment to transparency means telling our consumers about where their food comes from—and who it comes from.

Janice Smith, Director of Operations at One Degree Organics captures the essence of the connection our staff have with the farmers. “I might see Edwin Wieler’s oats coming down the line and immediately into my head pops the picture of him and his family, the visits we’ve had… and for each one of these farmers it’s the same thing. I wish our customers could see and meet the farmers the way we have. These are real people. These are moms and dads, with kids or grandkids, getting up every morning and they care! They care about growing their crops with the best knowledge and the best soil they have.”

Janice goes on to describe the level of trust and integrity our farmer partnerships are built on. “These farmers farm on a handshake. Their handshake is as good as any written contract anywhere. The farmers work hard and they care about their product, and I wish our customers could see that.”

Learn more about where—and who—your food comes from by checking out more of our farmer stories. Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of this page to get more easy healthy recipes every served up every month! Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for all things One Degree Organics. Stay tuned for more stories about our new oat farmers in the months to come.

The post The Secret Behind the Best Oats appeared first on One Degree Organics.

Here is a behind-the-scenes peek into our most recent farmer video trip to visit Boudjebel Dates in Tunisia in early 2020. (You’ll find their organic date syrup in our Sprouted Oat Pumpkin Seed & Flax Granola)

Kathy learning about dates with Karim Boujbel, Ingredient Specialist for Boudjebel Dates. Karim taught us many interesting things about dates and how they’re harvested!

The One Degree Organics team in the orchard among the date palms, interviewing Hachem Belaifa, Date Specialist for Boudjebel Dates.

Watching the date harvest in action. Expert date harvesters climb the trees with no ropes—and no shoes! Clusters of organic dates ripening on the tree are wrapped in white mesh bags to protect them from pests and from damage during the harvest.

Kathy and Alonna with Tawfik Mahjoubi, a date farmer for Boudjebel Dates.

Kathy and Alonna at the airport in Toezuer, Tunisia. We were met by a friendly driver from our hotel after the long flight.

Freshly-harvested organic dates, straight from the date palms.

This behind-the-scenes peek is just a preview—read the full story and watch our farmer video about Boudjebel Dates! Scroll down to sign up for our newsletter to learn more about our farmers, the plant-based organic ingredients they grow, and get healthy and delicious recipes you and your family will love. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for more!

The post Farmer Video in the Making: A Behind-the-Scenes Peek at Our Trip to Boudjebel Dates, Tunisia appeared first on One Degree Organics.