If you are a baking enthusiast, here’s our list of the best cocoa powders that you can add to your pantry. Having a premium cocoa powder with the right amount of bitterness is a must if you’re a baker or a confectionary specialist. It is the main ingredient in many delicious desserts. You may choose to add it to cakes, brownies, cookies or enjoy it in a cup of hot chocolate. With various products available, you can explore our list to enhance your dessert’s taste and color.
Top Picks
15 Best Cocoa Powders
1.Best With Antioxidants:Anthony’s Organic Cocoa Powder
The organic cocoa powder from Anthony’s Store is enriched with magnesium and antioxidants. It is an unsweetened and non-alkalized product with 10 to 12% fat content.Theplant-based raw powderhas several essential vitamins and is suitable for making chocolates and baking other recipes.Have a look atthis videoto learn more about the product.
Features
- Gluten-free and organic
- USDA-certified
- Free of conservatives
- Contains no artificial ingredients
2.Best Food Colorant:The Cocoa Trader Dutch Processed Black Cocoa Powder
The premium cocoa powder uses natural cacao beans that provide a dark color to all your favorite desserts. It gives a smooth and mellow flavor and contains a rich amount of antioxidants, flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals.The powder dissolves quickly and mixes instantly.
Features
- Suitable as a food colorant
- Rich in iron and magnesium
- Ensures rich flavor
- Inlcudes a satisfaction guarantee
3.Best Gluten-Free:Hershey’s Natural Unsweetened Cocoa
Image:Hersheyland
Hershey’s cocoa powder contains 100% natural cacao, an ideal ingredient for several desserts and drinks. It includes six eight-ounce cans of unsweetened cocoa powder that gives creamy and aromatic flavor.You can use these perfectly balanced and sweet powder for baking several desserts. Here isan informative videothat tells you more about the product.
Features
- Gluten-free powder
- Kosher-certified
- Highly versatile ingredient
- Comes in a resealable can for retained freshness
Quick tip4.Best Quick-Dissolving:Ghirardelli Majestic Premium Cocoa Powder
The premium and majestic 32oz pack of unsweetened cocoa powder has no alkali or sugar. You can use it for various recipes, such as cookies, cakes, hot chocolate, and fudge. The product is easy to dissolve and blends well with all your favorite dishes.
Features
- Kosher-certified
- Free of alkaline
- Rich and robust flavor
- Dutch-processed
5.Best Non-GMO:Droste Cocoa Powder
The pure Dutch cocoa powder comes in a three box pack of 8.8oz processed powder each. It is gourmet standard powder, imported directly from Holland. The powder is suitable for baking cookies and other rich flavor desserts. You can also mix in your hot cocoa for a better taste.
Features
- Unsweetened
- Gluten-free
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Works well with all baking recipes
Did you know?6.Best Allergen-Free:Gerbs Dutch Cocoa Powder
Image:Gerbs
Gerbs superior quality Dutch cocoa powder provides a dark color to all your favorite baked items and beverages.The allergen-free unsweetened cocoa powder contains manyessential vitaminsand is suitable for those requiring a gluten-free diet. It has a mildly bitter taste and provides health benefits, such as reducing cardiovascular disease risk.
Features
- Safe production
- Free of chemicals and preservatives
- Contains a high concentration of flavanoids
- Consists of minimal fats and no sugar
7.Best Dutch-Processed:Valrhona Pure Cocoa Powder
The dark mahogany-colored unsweetened cocoa powder comes in an 8.82-ounce container.It is a Dutch-processed smooth powder with no sugar and has premium quality and taste. The fine powder is packed in a perfect manner with minimal risks of contamination and molds. You can use it as a basic ingredient in several baking desserts and hot chocolate recipes.
Features
- Packed in aluminum boxes
- Kosher-certified
- Gluten-free
- Provides intense flavor to chocolate desserts
Quick fact8.Best With Rich Dark Flavor:NuNaturals Premium Organic Cocoa Dutch Process Powder
The premium-quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder comes in a one-pound resealable bag. It provides a rich dark flavor to all your favorite baked items and drinks. The intense powder provides approximately 76 servings per bag and is suitable for making brownies, cakes, smoothies, etc. It has a neutral acidity level and contains all GMO-free ingredients.
Features
- Decent fat content level
- Dissolves easily
- Sugar-free
- Ensures low-calories and low-carb consumption
9.Bst For Professional Baking:E Guittard Cocoa Powder
The bittersweet flavor cocoa powder from Guittard is an excellent choice for the professional baking of desserts. It comes in an eight-ounce canister and is suitable for making cakes, pastries, fudge, brownies, etc. The product is manufactured in the US and contains 100% natural cacao that provides benefits against several health issues.
Features
- Unsweetened powder
- Dutch-processed
- Provides a deep and robust flavor
- Contains minimal alkaline
10.Best Roasted And Fermented:Scharffen Berger Unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder
The Scharffen Berger cocoa powder is made from beans that are properly roasted and fermented to create a smooth and rich flavor. It provides 15 calories per serving and is suitable for people with diabetes. The six-ounce canister is well packed, and you can use the finely processed powder for hot and cold beverages.
Features
- OU Kosher-certified
- Gluten-free
- Made from premium quality roasted beans
- 100% pure unsweetened cocoa powder
11.Best With Alkali:Rodelle Gourmet Baking Cocoa Powder
The Dutch-processed cocoa powder from Rodelle is a dark color ingredient that provides a rich flavor to all your baked items and hot beverages. It is available in a 25oz resealable package that ensures retention of fresh cocoa.
Features
- Contains alkali that reduces acidity
- Made from 100% organic cocoa
- Non-GMO ingredients
- Gluten-free
12.Best With Intense Flavor:Hoosier Hill Farm Natural Cocoa Powder
The Hoosier Hill Farm natural cocoa powder, which comes in a 16oz bottle, is a high-quality, unsweetened cocoa powder made from 100% pure cocoa solids. It’s an excellent choice for baking and cooking, offering a rich, chocolatey flavor and smooth texture ideal for cookies, cakes, brownies, and other baked goods. Furthermore, it’s a great source of flavanol, which helps enhance cardiovascular health.
Features
- Easily resealable package
- Rich in antioxidants
- Gluten-free and vegan
- Consistent, uniform texture
13.Best Polyphenol-Rich:Naturevibe Botanicals Cocoa Powder
The 100% organic cocoa powder is a rich flavor ingredient that provides an excellent taste and several health benefits. It helps reduce inflammation, regulate energy, and increase fat oxidation. You can use it in plenty of desserts, such as biscuits, drinks, cakes, and ice cream.
Features
- 丰富的茶多酚
- Contains large antioxidants
- Easily resealable package
- Beneficial for weight regulation
14.Best All-Natural:Chatfield’s Cocoa Powder
不加糖的可可粉from Chatfield is an excellent quality product consisting of non-GMO ingredients. It is a Kosher-certified and vegan product and can be used in most baking recipes and beverages. The all-natural cocoa powder comes in a ten-ounce canister that maintains its freshness for longer.
Features
- Gluten-free
- Contains no alkalines
- Free of artificial ingredients
- Contains no allergens
15.Best Fat-Free:Trader Joe’s Cocoa Powder
The smooth and delicious chocolate flavor cocoa powder is made from all-natural Tumaco cocoa beans grown in Southern Columbia. It has a supple amount of fiber content and contains the necessary vitamins and minerals. The unsweetened cocoa powder can be used as an active ingredient in several baking recipes such as cakes, pastries, mousse, fudge, and hot chocolate.
Features
- Contains minimal calories
- Free of fats
- Helps against cholesterol
- 100% organic cacao seeds
How To Choose The Right Cocoa Powder?
Here is a list of important factors to consider before buying a premium cocoa powder.
- Purpose:Find the purpose of the cocoa powder and its use before making your final choice. You can choose any simple product if it is for a regular cup of hot chocolate. But if you plan on making several baked items using the powder, go for a versatile powder.
- Type of powder:Cocoa powders are available in two major categories, i.e., natural or Dutch-processed. If you want a lighter, non-alkaline cocoa powder, choose the natural one. Dutch cocoa powder undergoes alkalization and is a bit darker and bitter.
- Calorie level:Pay attention to the number of calories present in the coffee powder. If you want a fat-free product that helps maintain your weight and cholesterol levels, choose the one with the least amount of calories and fat content.
- Packaging:The packaging of the product plays a major role in determining how long it can stay fresh. Consider the one with resealable packaging or that available in an airtight container.
- Health benefits:Several cocoa powders aim at helping against several health issues, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and stress. Be careful while making a purchase decision and buy the one that helps you.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Choosing the right cocoa powder is essential to ensure your baked treats taste delicious. So, we have researched and reviewed multiple products to ensure high quality, flavor, and safety. Each product comes with detailed features to give you a better understanding. You can also explore the buying guide to choose a suitable product that meets your needs. We have also considered user reviews to help you make an informed choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between cocoa or cacao?
Cacao is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids, while cocoa contains a significant amount of nutrients and vitamins, such as fiber, proteins, iron, and magnesium.
2. How much cocoa powder can I eat daily?
For enhanced health benefits, you should consume 2.5 grams of high-flavanol cocoa powder daily.
3. Does cocoa make it difficult to sleep?
Cocoa powder provides you with better and relaxed sleep. The tryptophan present in the unsweetened cocoa powder makes you sleepier.
4. How many types of cocoa powders are there?
There are three types of cocoa powders: natural, dutch process, and black. Natural cocoa powder is the variant that is generally used in most common recipes.
5. Is unsweetened cocoa powder healthy?
Cocoa powder is can help prevent or treat allergies, inflammatory conditions, anxiety, and oxidative injuries (1). Unsweetened cocoa powder can also improve energy and fat metabolism.
Cocoa powder is a must-have in every baking enthusiast’s pantry. To find the right cocoa powder, you must check various factors, such as calories. Cocoa powder helps regulate blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and enlightens the taste buds. Moreover, packing it in an air-tight container will keep it fresh for longer. So, choose carefully and prepare it in the best way possible.
Infographic: Different Types Of Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder is a primary ingredient for several dishes, from tasty desserts to hot beverages. However, there are several types of cocoa powder available. Look through the infographic below to know these types to choose the correct one for your dish.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Get high-quality PDF version by clicking below.
Download Infographic
References:
- Health benefits of cocoa
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24100674/
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