Well, while it's not quite like eating a handful of chocolate chips, my verdict is that cacao nibs are quite the tasty, and versatile treat!
Recently I had watched a couple food documentaries (nerd, I know), and there were two food items in particular that caught my attention based on their (claimed) health benefits: cacao and chia seeds. As super foods, both cacao and chia seeds pack quite a nutritional punch, and are especially good for digestion. Chia seeds, when mixed with liquid, become very gelatinous and, from what I hear, can help pull out the toxins in the body and digestive track, aiding the body's ability to detox. Cacao nibs, among other things, are high in antioxidants and fiber, as well as essential minerals and fat. With my on-going journey towards perfect gut health, I had to at least give these a try, especially since starting the GAPS diet I've been without chocolate. Fortunately I haven't been missing it, but this gave me the perfect excuse to be a little indulgent.
The hubby had a really good description for these: cacao nibs are to chocolate as raw espresso beans are to coffee. They definitely smell like chocolate as espresso beans smell of coffee, but the taste is far more bitter, much more like coffee. Not that I find this to be a bad thing necessarily, since much like coffee, the bitter-sweet flavor can be a little addicting. Combine the chocolatey, coffee flavor with an incredibly satisfying crunch, and cacao nibs prove to be quite the tasty treat.
Despite the more bitter, coffee-like flavor, I actually find cacao nibs to be rather enjoyable on their own. I do admit though, that they work especially well when sprinkled over yogurt with a large piece of juice pulp bread! My next step is to start adding them to more recipes. In addition to the bread, I think they would make a fantastic addition to these almond butter, coconut treats (modified recipe to come) as I think they will not only broaden the flavors, but add some much needed crunch!
All in all, I would highly recommend giving cacao nibs a try.
