100% Cacao Liquor

100% Cacao Liquor is the pure, unsweetened paste made from ground cacao beans. It's the fundamental ingredient in chocolate, containing both the cocoa solids and cocoa butter from the bean. The beans are fermented, dried, roasted, and then ground into a liquid paste, known as liquor or mass.

Manufacturers use 100% Cacao Liquor primarily as a base for chocolate products, providing the characteristic chocolate flavor and color. It's found in a wide range of foods, including chocolate bars, baked goods, desserts, and snack items where an intense chocolate taste is desired.

100% Cacao Liquor is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for its intended use as a food ingredient. It is a source of flavanols, which are plant compounds that may have antioxidant properties. Regulatory bodies like EFSA have evaluated cocoa and cocoa products, noting potential health benefits associated with flavanol intake. However, chocolate products made with cacao liquor can be high in calories, fat, and sugar, depending on other ingredients added.