Cocoa Powder: Interesting Non-Culinary Ways To Use This Superfood
Cocoa powder, best known for its role in creating delicious chocolate desserts, is a versatile ingredient with many uses beyond the kitchen.
Health Benefits Galore
Cocoa powder is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that are key in combating free radicals, reducing inflammation, and providing valuable health benefits. Regular consumption of cocoa can improve cardiovascular function, lower blood pressure, balance cholesterol levels, and enhance brain function by increasing blood flow and cognitive abilities.
The phytochemicals in cocoa also make it a natural mood enhancer, thanks to its ability to increase levels of certain neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. Overall, cocoa delivers extensive health benefits spanning heart health, cognition, inflammation reduction, and even mental wellbeing.
Beauty and Skin Care
In the world of beauty and skincare, cocoa powder is a hidden gem. Its high concentration of antioxidant compounds makes it a valuable ingredient in rejuvenating face masks, exfoliating scrubs, and skin soothers.
When mixed with other natural ingredients like honey, oats or yogurt, cocoa powder masks soothe, hydrate and promote healthy, radiant skin.
It can also reduce signs of aging and UV damage by neutralizing free radicals. For the body, cocoa makes an exquisite addition to body scrubs, helping slough away dead skin cells to reveal soft, smooth skin.
By stimulating circulation, coco also helps reduce the appearance of cellulite. Cocoa powder delivers a wide range of beautifying benefits beyond just flavor.
Hair Care Miracle
Cocoa powder has applications in hair care as well, particularly for brunettes. Its rich pigments allow it to temporarily enhance darker shades of hair. When used as a dry shampoo, cocoa powder can absorb excess oil at the roots while adding volume and texture.
Additionally, routine application can deepen brown hues and impart a vibrant, multidimensional sheen to hair while also preventing UV damage to the strands. The nutrients in cocoa powder strengthen the follicles and reduce breakage over time as well.
Natural Dye
The color pigments of cocoa powder lend well to its use as a non-toxic, natural dye. Whether dyeing decorative pieces like Easter eggs or coloring homemade play dough, cocoa allows for rich, deep browns without harsh chemicals.
It also serves as an affordable and safe paint option for kid’s crafts and DIY projects. Those looking for an eco-friendly dye alternative find cocoa fits the bill.
Deodorizer and Air Freshener
Around the home, cocoa can be an effective deodorizer for eliminating fridge odors or freshening stale air. Placing small dishes of cocoa powder in the refrigerator helps absorb food odors.
Simmering cocoa powder with citrus peels, vanilla and spices like cinnamon creates a heavenly homemade potpourri that fills home with a cozy, chocolatey aroma for hours. It's a wonderful alternative to synthetic room deodorizers or scented candles.
Gardening Aid
As an organic product, cocoa powder can also be cleverly used in the garden and yard. Lightly sprinkling cocoa mulch around garden beds helps deter slugs and snails looking to feast on plants.
However the bitterness of chocolate can be harmful to pets, so caution is warranted. Cocoa mulch must be reapplied after rain or watering.
When used safely, it provides plants a nutritional boost as it enriches soil.
Culinary Uses Beyond Baking
While we commonly associate cocoa powder with sweet desserts and decadent chocolate treats, it can also be an intriguing addition to savory dishes. Cocoa works wonderfully as dry spice rubs for meats, lending a rich flavor, color and crust.
When blended into the right dish, cocoa can add alluring depth without overpowering. It’s excellent mixed into the sauce for chili or mole, creating rich flavor, bittersweet undertones.
Creative cooks are finding many applications for cocoa beyond its typical uses in brownies and cake batter.
Health-Conscious Cooking
For those managing health conditions like diabetes or looking to reduce fat and calories without compromising on flavor, cocoa powder is a great tool. Replacing some fat with cocoa allows for lower-calorie and lower-fat versions of recipes like cookies, fudge or ice cream.
Because cocoa powder contains no added sugar, it delivers a powerful chocolate punch with less sweetness and guilt. Its natural bitterness balances sweetness while boosting nutrition.
When cooking or baking for health-conscious reasons, cocoa powder checks all the boxes.
To Sum It Up
Cocoa powder is clearly much more than a key baking ingredient or flavor enhancer. Its wide range of uses spanning health supplements, skincare solutions, hair care helpers, natural dyes, home deodorizers, gardening aides and unique cooking applications truly showcase the versatility of this humble powder.
Cocoa powder is a handy, healthy pantry staple with benefits extending far beyond its irresistible chocolate flavor.
