Cocoa butter: everything you need to know about the product

The natural fat in the cocoa bean, better known as cocoa butter, is a very powerful natural moisturizer for home use that can be found in many places. The typical smell resembles that of chocolate, but it is in winter that we do not give up its benefits. Learn more about the product!

What, anyway, is cocoa butter?

Extracted from the interior of the cocoa, the butter comes from its seeds. According to a study by Silvana Saleme Diaz, researcher and master in vegetable production, each fruit has 30 to 40 seeds, which go through a long process until they become the way we know and use them. The interesting thing is that, even though supermarkets have chocolate whenever we need it, the fruit is harvested only twice a year.

Understand the nutritional values ​​of cocoa butter:

• Energy value: 884 kcal
• Proteins: 0 g
• Total fat: 100 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Dietary fiber: 0 g
• Monosaccharides: 0 g

Next, learn how this butter is made, knowing its extraction and manufacturing process:

How Cocoa Butter is Made

Removed from the interior of the cocoa, the butter goes through numerous processes before reaching the commercialization. After removing the cocoa tree, the fruit is cut in half so that the seeds can be extracted. Silvana explains that these seeds are placed in crates, so that they go through the fermentation step and, after that, they are left to dry for 8 days.

Then they are taken to the industry, where they are roasted, cooled and crushed into small pieces. Finally, after the milling step, a paste-like, high-fat mixture is obtained. It is at this point that the products we know begin to emerge – for example, cocoa butter.

Utilities and benefits

There are countless benefits of this butter, but certainly the best known is hydration, as it is in winter that we remember it the most. However, in addition to its use in the fight against cracks and diaper rash, this product can have several uses that are also very important for our health. Check out:

in food

For white chocolate lovers, know that it is through cocoa butter that this type of chocolate is obtained. See its uses:

• Helps in the dilution of chocolate when it appears to be too pasty;
• It is good for preparing vegan foods, as it is a great substitute for butter.

in the pharmaceutical industry

In addition to being a precious moisturizer, cocoa butter can be used in the composition of soaps, ointments and suppositories. In addition, it is a great anti-inflammatory. Check it out:

• Helps to reduce heart problems;
• It is good for treating skin burns.

in the cosmetic industry

Who has never had a lipstick made from cocoa butter and was always using it when it was very cold, to prevent lips from drying out? In addition, this product is widely used in the composition of other cosmetics, such as shampoo, conditioner and body creams, for example.

• Helps to reduce cracks caused by extreme cold;
• It is good for treating skin burns.

As you have noticed, the benefits of cocoa butter are numerous, ranging from preventing heart problems to culinary use. Therefore, it is extremely important that you know where to find this product and what are its many forms of consumption.

Where to buy

Because it is easily found, cocoa butter is in several places, such as supermarkets, pharmacies and online stores, as well as stores specializing in natural products. The most common form of this product is in the form of “bullet” or “lipstick”, but there is still powdered, liquid, organic, gel, deodorized and paste butter. It is up to you to choose the most suitable for the way of consumption.

5 Cocoa Butter Tricks and Recipes That Will Save Your Life

Now you already know all the advantages of using cocoa butter, but you haven’t seen practical situations of using this wonder. Check out some great recipes and wildcard tricks with her below:

1. Homemade chocolate

1. Separate 125g of cocoa powder, 250g of cocoa butter and 100g of sifted organic brown sugar;
2. Scrape the butter to make it easier to melt;
3. Fill 3/4 of a pan with water and bring to a boil, turning off as soon as it boils;
4. Place a bowl with cocoa butter and cocoa powder in a bain-marie;
5. Stir until well melted, so the butter and cocoa are well mixed;
6. Turn off the heat and transfer the mixture to another container;
7. Add the brown sugar and mix well. It is important that the sugar is well sieved, so as not to form lumps in the chocolate and the mixture to be very smooth and homogeneous;
8. Let the chocolate cool for approximately 20 minutes;
9. Then transfer to molds and take it to the fridge for approximately 2 hours.

Once ready, you can either eat the chocolate or use it in other recipes.

2. Moisturizing foot bath

1. Heat water in a bowl;
2. In a bowl, place three tablespoons of paste or liquid cocoa butter;
3. Fill the bowl with hot water to dissolve the cocoa butter;
4. Rest your feet for 10 to 15 minutes.

This is a great way to moisturize your feet and eliminate cracks, and it’s a good idea to do the foot bath once a week.

3. Eyebrow gel

1. Buy cocoa butter in paste;
2. Take a brush similar to those used with mascara to comb your eyebrows;
3. Pass the brush in the cocoa butter and comb the eyebrows.

This gel can be used with a little shadow the color of your eyebrow, to disguise the flaws.

4. Post-depilation oil

1. Melt 50g of cocoa butter paste in a bowl;
2. Mix a spoon of calendula extract;
3. Place the mixture in a container with a lid.

This oil should be used daily, until the rash has healed.

5. Truffle

1. Separate 250g of milk chocolate, 250g of semisweet chocolate, 125g of margarine, 1 tablespoon of champagne, 100g of cocoa butter and aluminum foil;
2. In the mixer, beat the margarine with the champagne. Add the chocolate to the already melted and cold milk and mix;
3. Place in the fridge in the mixer bowl to harden, for approximately 30 minutes;
4. Remove pieces with the help of a teaspoon and place them on a tray lined with aluminum foil. Place back in the fridge for 15 minutes;
5. Melt the semisweet chocolate in a bain-marie and add the cocoa butter, also melted in a bain-marie. Cool the mixture in the pan itself;
6. Remove the truffles from the fridge and dip one by one, with a fork, in the dark chocolate;
7. Put it on top of the aluminum foil and then put it back in the fridge for another 20 minutes;
8. Remove, pass in cocoa powder, arrange in molds and let dry in the open air.

Who would have thought that cocoa butter is good for so many things, right? Now just start using it on a daily basis. Also check out tips on ginger, another easy-to-access product that is great for your health.