*Unsweetened chocolate, also called chocolate liquor, is the liquid obtained from grinding the cocoa nibs and is 100% cocoa.

*It has a bitter taste and a strong chocolate flavor.

*Also called baking chocolate or bitter chocolate.

*It is obtained from grinding the dried partially fermented seeds or beans of the cocoa tree, Theobroma cacao, when the fat (called cocoa butter) in the seeds melts and produces a liquid chocolate called chocolate liquor. This is pure liquid bitter chocolate.

*This chocolate liquor can be solidified and sold as baking chocolate (unsweetened), the saturated fats removed as cocoa butter, and finally the remaining solids are powdered and sold as cocoa powder.

*This is the best quality chocolate that has all the antioxidants, flavonoids and other phytonutrients that are beneficial for the health.

*It is used for baking purposes, making other types of sweet chocolates, etc.

*Buying and storage: Buy good quality unsweetened chocolate that has 100% cocoa in small amounts required. Wrap tightly in a foil or paper and store in a cool, dry, dark place, as it will easily absorb other strong flavors that are around.

Is it raw?

Yes, unsweetened chocolate or chocolate liquor is the purest form of chocolate and is raw. Make sure you read the label.

Health Benefits

1. Unsweetened chocolate or chocolate liquor has the highest amounts of antioxidants and flavonoids in all forms of chocolates.

2. Antioxidants scavenge the free radicals, preserve the integrity of cell membranes and reduce the risk of heart diseases, inflammatory and degenerative diseases.

3. The beneficial cardiovascular effects are lowering the LDL cholesterol level in the blood, reducing the risk of heart attack and atherosclerosis, and promoting a healthy heart.

4. It can also lower and maintain the blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of hypertension, due to the flavonoids in unsweetened chocolate having a vasodilating effect.

5. The flavonoids, epicatechin and gallic acid, have anti-carcinogenic properties, which are still being studied.

6. Research indicated that theobromine, the alkaloid present in unsweetened dark chocolate, may be effective in preventing persistent coughing, soothing and moistening the throat. It is shown to be more effective than codeine, the component in many cough medicines.

7. Good source of Tryptophan, an essential amino acid present, which is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the modulation of anger, mood, sleep, sexuality, appetite, etc. This amino acid, relaxes the mood, improves the quality of sleep and appetite.

8. Good source of Phenethylamine, an alkaloid, which acts as a stimulant and is sometimes described as a ‘love chemical’.

9. Moderate source of B-group vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6 and folic acid that are essential to enhance the energy production from the foods.

10. Very good source of magnesium that helps in relieving fatigue, relaxing the muscles, nerves and blood vessels, thus relieving the symptoms of asthma, migraine headaches, tension and soreness in muscles etc.

11. Very good source of potassium, this along with low amount of sodium helps to maintain blood pressure, reduces water retention, helps transmit nerve impulses to muscles, and improves muscle contraction.

12. Good source of other minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc and manganese, which play a very important role in maintaining normal metabolic activities of the body.

13. Unsweetened chocolate also has moderate amounts of protein and dietary fiber.

14. Dietary fiber, though present in moderate amounts, adds roughage to the contents of the intestines, promotes satiety, promotes the health of the colon, and also helps in relieving constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticular disorders, etc. It also reduces the risk for colon cancer.