Q: So this product has the cal prop warning that it does contain chemicals?

The current packaging for this product is new. I mention this because the prior packaging had a different look and no California Prop warning. I am guessing the packaging (bag) may be harmful and not the cocoa powder. I have been using this product for years and it is certified organic. Just a note, it has come out recently that fast food packaging (wrappers) have chemicals that may be toxic. You can drive yourself crazy trying to figure out what is safe and what is not.

Q: Can I melt the cocao nibs in a microwave and coat the cocoa onto the surface of a strawberry?

Hi Isabel L.,Unfortunately, the consistency of cacao nibs is not identical to chocolate chips. Raw cacao nibs are higher in protein and fiber and as a result, will not melt. Chocolate chips are a combination of cocoa powder, milk ingredients, sugar and other fillers that allow the chocolate to melt, whereas cacao nibs consist of tiny bits of cacao beans that been broken. Cacao nibs represent the true essence of cacao and are considered to be all-natural additions to cookies, muffins, cereals etc. Hope this helps answer your question, and if you have any other questions you can reach us by responding to this comment thread or by email at amazon@vivalabs.com.BesaRegistered NutritionistViva Labs

Q: Just got my cacao nibs. They smell and taste like vinegar? Have they gone bad?

Cacao nibs are the end product of fermented cacao beans. The fermentation produces lactic acid ethanol and acetic acid. The vinegar smell is from the last phase of cacao fermentation. They should have a vinegar smell. If you roast them at 250 deg f. for around 30 minutes you will have roasted nibs. not chocolate yet. The acetic acid smell will turn into a flavor profile specific to that cacao.

Question 1

How do the metals (Pd, Cd, As, Hg, and Al) rank in ppm for this product? Info found on other brands, but not this one...

Accepted Answer

I have no affiliation with this company other than buying their product.  I regularly consume fairly large amounts of their powdered cacao product (usually ~25 grams/day), so with concerns about this stuff being grown in volcanic soil, I had myself tested and got the following results: lead 0.019 mcg/g, mercury below detectable limit, cadmium below detectable limit.  I take beneficial element supplements so I can't say where those are coming from, but I consume only highly filtered (carbon block) water. Note that ppm and mcg/g is equivalent, and reference range for lead is <=0.048 mcg/g      Hope this helps.

Question 2

So this product has the cal prop warning that it does contain chemicals?

Accepted Answer

The current packaging for this product is new.  I mention this because the prior packaging had a different look and no California Prop warning.  I am guessing the packaging (bag) may be harmful and not the cocoa powder.  I have been using this product for years and it is certified organic.  Just a note, it has come out recently that fast food packaging (wrappers) have chemicals that may be toxic.  You can drive yourself crazy trying to figure out what is safe and what is not.

Question 3

Can I  melt the cocao nibs in a microwave and coat the cocoa onto the surface of  a strawberry?

Accepted Answer

Hi Isabel L.,Unfortunately, the consistency of cacao nibs is not identical to chocolate chips. Raw cacao nibs are higher in protein and fiber and as a result, will not melt. Chocolate chips are a combination of cocoa powder, milk ingredients, sugar and other fillers that allow the chocolate to melt, whereas cacao nibs consist of tiny bits of cacao beans that been broken. Cacao nibs represent the true essence of cacao and are considered to be all-natural additions to cookies, muffins, cereals etc. Hope this helps answer your question, and if you have any other questions you can reach us by responding to this comment thread or by email at amazon@vivalabs.com.BesaRegistered NutritionistViva Labs

Question 4

Just got my cacao nibs. They smell and taste like vinegar? Have they gone bad?

Accepted Answer

Cacao nibs are the end product of fermented cacao beans. The fermentation produces lactic acid ethanol and acetic acid. The vinegar smell is from the last phase of cacao fermentation. They should have a vinegar smell. If you roast them at 250 deg f. for around 30 minutes you will have roasted nibs. not chocolate yet. The acetic acid smell will turn into a flavor profile specific to that cacao.

Brand	Viva Naturals
Model Number	1011
Product Dimensions	17.15 x 29.97 x 8.89 cm; 907.18 g
Item Weight	907 g

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Viva Naturals Certified Organic Cacao Powder (2lb) for Smoothie, Coffee and Drink Mixes

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