Cocoa Buter

Cocoa butter is the fat extracted from cocoa beans. It is a natural vegetable fat that gives chocolate its smooth texture and melt-in-your-mouth quality. The beans are fermented, dried, roasted, and then pressed to separate the cocoa butter from the cocoa solids.

Cocoa butter is primarily used as a fat in chocolate and confectionery products to provide a desirable texture and mouthfeel. It's also used in baked goods, ice cream, and some lotions and cosmetics due to its moisturizing properties.

Cocoa butter is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in food. It is a fat, so like other fats, it contributes calories and saturated fat to the diet. JECFA has evaluated cocoa butter and established an acceptable daily intake. While cocoa butter contains beneficial compounds like polyphenols, its health effects are primarily related to its fat content at typical consumption levels.