Cocoa and Cocoa Powder Basics

Information on cocoa and cocoa powder helps in the creation of delicious foods

Comforting hot beverages and gooey chocolaty desserts owe their goodness in part to cocoa powder. This powdered chocolate is what remains when cocoa butter or fat is removed from cocoa beans. The powder is then used in baking, drink making and sometimes in cooking. For more flexibility, the powder can be remixed with fat, making it more like a chocolate solid.

A further look into cocoa and cocoa powder basics provides a better understanding on how and when to use the powder. Exploring this information will help answer the following questions:

1. What is cocoa powder and what are the different types?

2. What kinds of foods can you make with cocoa powder?

3. When is it best to use cocoa powder instead of baking chocolate?

 

Learn the essentials of cocoa powder

What is cocoa powder? How is it made and what can you do with it? It is helpful to understand the properties behind an ingredient prior to using it in a recipe. Knowing about chocolate powder will allow a chef or baker the ability to judge the use of ingredients in a dish and will give more freedom in creating dishes.
Try: To get started with understanding cocoa powder and its varying properties and uses, check out the Cookthink page on the topic. Use BigOven as a resource for more technical information on cocoa including information on the different types and how it can be used.

Explore specifics on the types of cocoa powder

Bakers will come across two types of instant cocoa: natural cocoa powder and Dutch process powder. Natural cocoa powder is acidic and provides a strong flavor. The Dutch-processed powder, also known as alkalized cocoa powder, has had the acid removed and carries a smoother, more mild flavor. They react very differently in foods and should be used according to the recipe.
Try: Look deeper into the specifics of the two types of cocoa powder at What's Cooking America. For information to buy cocoa powder and which type is recommended, see FuturePundit.

Discover how powdered cocoa is used in foods

Though cocoa is a form of chocolate, it performs very differently than hard chocolate in recipes. Cocoa powder can sometimes be substituted for solid chocolate if a fat is reconstituted in with it. This is usually butter or vegetable oil. Cocoa powder is famously used in hot chocolate mix, cake and other dessert mixes, and chocolate syrup.
Try: Culinate explains in more detail some of the uses of cocoa powder. Read more about using chocolate powder in a variety of recipes as well as substitution methods at Joyofbaking.com.

Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

---