This pouch contains 250g of Organic Peruvian Cacao powder (Theobroma cacao). This product is Vegan Society certified, Soil Association Organic Certified and for every pack sold Rainforest Foods will donate funds to Rainforest Concern to purchase one square meter of cloud forest to expand the Neblina Reserve in Ecuador. Cacao, or Cocoa, is the fruit of a small, evergreen tree called Theobroma cacao. It grows in tropical climates, particularly in South America. Cacao is best-known as the base material in chocolate production, but has in recent years become known as a highly nutritious food in its own right. Cacao is a source of antioxidant flavanoids - the cacao flavanoid group is known collectively as flavanols. The antioxidant provision of foods is measured on a scale referred to as ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity). Cacao has an exceptionally high ORAC score. It is also significantly rich in magnesium and fats such as Oleic acid, the fat found in olive oil. Rainforest Foods Cacao is produced by organic growers in Peru. It is harvested by hand as pods. These are broken apart and the pulp surrounding the beans allowed to ferment. It eventually runs away as liquid. The fermentation not only removes the pulp but also reduces the beans' bitterness. The beans are then cleaned, dried, roasted and peeled, before being ground into Cacao paste. This is pressed, separating it into Cacao butter and Cacao cake. The cake is ground finely into Cacao powder. Since it began, Rainforest Foods' purpose has been to help people combine good nutrition with modern living. Realising that a return to time-rich living close to the land is just not possible, we have sourced a range of wholefoods whose exceptional nutritional richness can support modern lifestyles rather than forcing them to change. We look all around the world for these foods, and have them processed in a way that keeps as much nutrition as possible while making them convenient for you to use.