Cocoa Powder

Photo: flickr user normanack

About

Processed and powdered nibs from the cocoa plant; this is the primary ingredient of chocolate. There are two different types of cocoa powder: Dutch-processed and natural. Dutch-processed cocoa powder has been treated with alkali to lower its acidity and bring out a more intense flavor than natural cocoa powder. Dutch-processed cocoa powder will not react with baking soda the way natural cocoa powder will, so it must be used along with powder; the combination of basic baking soda and acidic natural cocoa powder will cause the recipe to rise.

Information

Other names: Cocoa

Translations: Kakao pulveris, Kakavos milteliai, De cacao cu pulbere, Kakao u prahu, Bột ca cao, Proszku kakaowego, Cacaopoeder, कोको पाउडर, Pó de cacau, Какао-порошок, Σκόνη κακάο, مسحوق الكاكاو, 코코아 파우더, Kakaový prášek, 可可粉, Cacau en pols, Kakav v prahu, Kakaový prášok, Cacao in polvere, אבקת קקאו, Kakaopulver, Какао у праху, ココアパウダー, Cacao en poudre, Kakao-Pulver, Kakaopulver, Kakaopulver, Cacao en polvo, Какао-порошок, Kaakaojauheeseen, Какао на прах

Physical Description

A fine powder that ranges in color anywhere from a tan to a dark chocolate brown. It comes in sweetened, and unsweetened varieties as well as milk, semi-sweet, bitter, and various percentages of true cocoa.

Colors: Ranges from reddish tan to dark almost black brown

Tasting Notes

Flavors: Sweet if presweetened, without sugar- bold and bitter

Mouthfeel: Earthy, Bitter, And palpable

Food complements: Goes best with milk, Sugar, Cinnamon, And vanilla

Wine complements: Muscats, Ruby ports

Beverage complements: Milk, Coffee, Tia maria

Substitutes: Carob

Selecting and Buying

Seasonality: january, february, march, april, may, june, july, august, september, opctober, november, december

Peak: august, september, opctober, november, december

Choosing: The powder must be extra fine, when rubbed between your fingers it must stick and even smear. It must smell like unsweetened chocolate. Be careful to look for bugs or casings in teh container.

Buying: Cocoa of all varieties are available year round in your local grocer in the baking goods aisle.