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International Organics' prized Conuco Reserve Fair Trade Organic Raw Cacao Beans and Cocoa Powder are a blend of the finest hand-selected organic cacao beans from La Red Guaconejo, a small organic farming cooperative in the northern highlands of the Dominican Republic. Our cacao products are all certified organic by the USDA and fair trade certified by TransFair USA. We take pride in our growers' work, and the close relationship we've developed with our farmers in this sustainable partnership. Only here can you as a consumer get farm-delivered organic cacao and cocoa powder to your kitchen directly from the Dominican campo. The complex aroma and delicate taste of our 100% pure organic cacao is born the dense forest canopy where cacao trees share the nutrient-rich soils basking in the shade of tropical fruit trees and Caribbean sun. We invite you experience the full-bodied cacao and cocoa powder in your favorite chocolate dishes and share the rich flavors with your friends and family. Our 100% raw, organic cocoa powder is also available on a wholesale basis. Please contact us with any inquiries.
The Superior Quality of our Conuco Reserve CacaoThe cacao beans and cocoa powder supplied by our organic farming cooperative are simply the best available. Our beans are certified USDA organic, and as a fair trade product by TransFair USA meaning they are grown in pristine natural environments with ethical labor and health benefits for our growers. Because most companies buy their beans from multiple suppliers at discounted prices and mix them together, there is little consistency in quality or taste due to the mass production of their suppliers. At International Organics, all our cacao beans and cocoa powder come from a single growing cooperative in the highlands of the Dominican Republic, allowing us to ensure the highest level of quality control and responsibility. Because we have developed a personal relationship with our supplier, we know the kind of care, quality, and attention they put into their cocoa. Why Don't you Carry Cacao Nibs?A cacao nib is the inner "nut" of the cacao bean that is left when you remove the bean's shell (usually called the husk) after roasting. Because we choose to sell only raw organic cacao beans, we do not roast our beans to remove the nib in keeping with the philosiphy of not heating foods over 115 degrees Fareinheit. If you would like to extract the nib yourself, the easiest way to do this is to simply soak your cacao beans in some warm water for an hour or two and peel them off by hand. Make sure to thoroughly dry your nibs, seal them in a zip-lock bag, and keep them away from moisture. Your raw cacao nibs will stay good for up to 6 months this way. How do you Process your Cocoa Powder?Our cacao beans are first fermented in wooden boxes under careful observation for between 4-7 days. Then, naturally in the Caribbean sun, they are dried, never exceeding 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Our cocoa powder is also processed in without using heat or chemicals, and is extracted using a hydrolic "cold press" do seperate the cocoa liquer from the butter. We have ensured that at every level of production, our cacao is naturally and safely processed according to the highest health and sanitation standards. Why is Cacao Healthy for Me?Contrary to many common myths, overwhelming medical research shows the remarkable positive effect cacao and cocoa can have on your health! Cacao contains high levels of flavonoids, antioxidants that can decrease the risk of cancer in humans. In fact, organic cacao and cocoa generally contain higher levels of these antioxidants than both vitamin C and green tea. Additionally, these flavonoids are thought to improve the function of blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and possibly reducing the risk of heart disease.  Remember, our Conuco Reserve cacao and cocoa products are grown on farmland where absolutely no pesticides, growth hormones or other potentially harmful chemicals are used anywhere on the farm. The certified organic farming methods maximize the production and benefits of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids critical to your overall health. In a recently published study, organically produced agriculture contained up to 40% more antioxidants than conventional equivalents. Let's take a look at just a few of the numerous health benefits of cacao and cocoa, "the food of the gods". Antioxidants Vitamins Your Emotional Health |
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