Whats the difference between Cocoa and cacao?

by QuintanaRoo

Question by Nia S: Whats the difference between Cocoa and cacao?
I came across a recipe that needs cacao nibs instead of cocoa.

Are they both the same or not?
And where can I get cacao?
and can I substitute Cocoa for Cacao?

Best answer:

Answer by Don Adriano
Cacao is the plant from which cocoa and chocolate are made. Cacao nibs are bits of crushed cacao beans. Cocoa is the powered form; it often is sweetened with sugar.

Whether you can substitute depends on the function of the cacao nibs in the recipe. If you are supposed to grind them into a powder first so they integrate with the other ingredients, then you may be able to get away with substituting unsweetened cocoa.

However, if they are decorative or for texture than you can't substitute powdered cocoa. You might be able to substitute chocolate flakes or sprinkles, or even crushed up coffee beans for a little coffee flavor.

Cacao nibs are sometimes hard to find. You might find them at a specialty spice, chocolate, or cooking store. Otherwise, you'll probably have to mail order them.

What do you think? Answer below!

Related posts:

1. What is the difference between cocoa and cacao in definition and usage?
2. What is the difference between cacao and cocoa when referring to chocolate?
3. what is the difference between baking cocoa and cocoa powder?
4. Whats the difference between soy chocolate milk and regular chocolate milk?
5. Q&A: how much powdered cocoa does it take to make an unsweetened chocolate square?