Raw Cacao Nibs 16oz. bag, 15 servings — Organic, Non-GMO, Fair Trade, Gluten-Free (Pack of 2)

I'm a certified chocoholic with a weight problem. I had heard that cacao nibs had all the health benefits of dark chocolate (way more, actually) without the sugar and junk food aspects. They are loaded with antioxidants and have those powerful endorphin releasing stimulants. They are also quite high in fiber (but also in saturated fats). I got my big pile of Navitas Naturals nibs and dug right in. Well - these are a bit of an acquired taste; but once acquired, they really satisfy. Cacao nibs are broken pieces of raw whole cacao beans that have been fermented and dried (and that's it). They are brown, with a dark cocoa smell, and a seductive texture that's partly like a coffee bean (crunchy and hard), and partly like a piece of chocolate (buttery with a crisp and then melting fat). The flavor initially gives you a cocoa hit and then a winey fermented flavor that is hard to describe. The aftertaste is bitter like baking chocolate. Like a coffee bean, there's some fibrous grit with the aftertaste after the creamy fats have dissolved on your tongue. My first impressions was "phew - that's disgusting". The winey flavor was off-putting and the bitterness in the aftertaste was hard to take. That didn't prevent me from immediately having more, however - as the crisp rich creamy quality made me want more. After a few pinches (maybe 3/4s of a tablespoon) I was flying! I mean, these things are POTENT. They really are loaded with all those endorphin releasing stimulants - and man they wake you up and then make you feel loved. Over the next few days I kept a big baggie of these in my pack and ate them whenever I wanted a cup of coffee. The stimulant effect is totally as strong as coffee - and more. To go with the speed, there's a feeling of well being and intellectual stimulation that's seductive in the extreme. I began to almost enjoy the odd powerful flavor. My only concerns at this point are whether these are addictive! About 1/2 way through my bag I have yet to hit a stem or a stone or an inedible piece (unlike what I've heard with some other brands). The flavor and texture is pretty consistent as I work my way through too - pretty good for a totally raw organic product. I found that I could grind them up into powder in the blender and use the powder to "cocoa" up various foods (especially ones bearing some sweetness). For example, after my workout I'd put a tablespoon of nibs and a tablespoon of chia seeds in the blender and grind nice and fine and then toss in a fist full of frozen blueberries, a glug of Walden Farms zero calorie chocolate sauce, 8 oz water and two scoops of whey protein powder (chocolate flavor, of course) and then blend. It all whips up into a rich chocolatey blueberry shake that packs the nutritional wallop of a steak dinner with omega 3 oils, TONS of antioxidants, and a wicked emotional and blood sugar pick-me-up. You can buy the powder pre-ground, but I imagine the goodies keep better in this coarsely cracked version. All in all - I think of cacao nibs as much as a drug like coffee as I do a food. People who eat ultra-dark chocolate for the health aspects should absolutely check nibs out because my body tells me they have WAY MORE of the chemical goodies of chocolate with far less sugar and fat. They also are brimming with a rich raw cocoa flavor that's weird and wonderful and hard to describe. If you are bent in this way - this stuff is wonderful.

Not much more I can add to this discussion that hasn't already been said -- great cocoa taste, rich flavor, good to snack on and good for you. I was moved by several reviewers complaining about the taste and having been stuck with 32oz of cacao nibs they can't use, so here are a few suggestions for you that I developed by combining these nibs with other things I've found on Amazon: 1. Add to granola cereal for a chocolatety taste -- highly suggest Nature's Path Organic Flax Plus Pumpkin Granola Cereal or the Hemp Plus granola. Eat these together with or without milk for a great chocolate treat (the sweetness of the Hemp Plus granola mixes well with the bitter chocolate) 2. Make Your Very Own Chocolate Soy/Rice/Almond Milk -- Add 3 or 4 tablespoons of nibs along with the soybeans/rice/almonds to the Soyapower Plus Soy Milk Maker, press the Soy+ button and in less than 20 minutes you will have deliciously chocolatey Soy/Rice/Almond milk. The device does the rest, heating, chopping, mixing -- just strain and serve. Add 3 tablespoons Madhava Organic Agave Nectar - Amber or Light to sweeten. 3. Make your own healthy snack by mixing Cacao nibs, Dry Roasted Edamame, and Gogi Berries for a choco-nutty and fruity treat. This last pick is targeted at those of you who also bought Navitas Naturals Goji Berries and have plenty extra. Anyway, have fun with these Cacao nibs -- if you don't like them straight-up there are many ways to enjoy this delicious and healthy alternative to chocolate. Happy Eating!

I ordered this item to make homemade chocolate the way I had tasted it Mexico. I never was a fan of hot chocolate until I tasted hot chocolate in Puebla. I have since researched how to make the real homemade hot chocolate and learned I needed raw cocoa which is hard to find. I finally found these nibs. This is how I use them. 1) I break them in my food processor, 5 seconds at a time. I turn the food processor on pulse 5 seconds. Stop. 5 seconds pulse. Stop. 5 seconds pulse. Etc. I read online that if you do it continuously, you will burn the engine of the food processor. 2) Once the nibs are broken, I then put them in the Krups coffee grinder which I also purchased on Amazon (thanks Amazon) and do the same thing. I pulse. Stop. Pulse. Stop. etc until I reach the results mentioned in 3) below. In the middle, I often have to stir to make sure the crushing is even. 3) After a while, you will notice that the coarse bits, become powder, and then sticky powder, and then slowly chocolate paste. 4) Meanwhile the whole time I have had hot coconut milk on the stove (with cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla essence (also home made), sea salt or himalayan salt, coconut sugar/stevia mixed (to your taste), pinch hot pepper or rosemary or chipotle or whatever you like and I let it heat and when the chocolate has melted, I take it off. I have noticed that can be enough food for a huge part of my day. It really fills me up. It is a superfood indeed. Enjoy. I see that Navitas also has the powder but I saw in Mexico that the indigenous and locals did not use powder. They used the paste with the grease in it. That is what gives it this rich taste and fills you up.

When I first tried this product, I was not impressed. The bitter flavor seemed overwhelming but I kept nibbling away as I had two pounds of bean fragments lying around. After three days of nibbling, I was hooked. Here is what I love about this product: 1) Energy: Around 2pm, I am ready for a nap. I eat a half tablespoon of these beans and I am ready to conquer the last two hours of work. These beans provide amazing energy. 2) Two ounces replace numerous candy bars: My workplace has too may candy bowls and casual snacking is easy. I fill a little container with two ounces of nibs and slowly eat them throughout the day. The taste and nature of the nibs is conducive to careful, slow eating. Now, instead of popping 10 snickers, I just fill my palm with nibs and I am completely content. 3) Replaces sweet cravings: As noted above, I am no longer eating excessive, sugary sweets at work and I don't miss the super sweet chocolate from the candy bowl. I don't feel deprived and the calorie savings are significant. 4)The recipe possibilities are endless: If the nibs alone do not provide you with enough kick, grind some nibs and blend with your coffee for a delightful chocolate coffee. For tea, I've done something similar by mixing ground nibs with loose tea and then steeping in water to create a phenomenally rich tea. I've purchased bulk granola and sprinkled nibs and almonds in to create a nice snack mix. To create flavorful smoothies, I've also blended these with banana and So Delicious Coconut Milk or Chocolate Silk Soy Milk. There are numerous possibilities with this product so be creative! As a side note, for those that are worried about the bitterness of this product, the company makes a sweetened version Navitas Naturals Cacao Nibs Sweetened, 8-Ounce that is addictive, and admittedly, not as easy to eat in moderation. If out of stock, or you want to try single pouches, try iherb.com. If interested in iherb, you can use my code LEK375 for a discount.

I don't doubt the amazing health benefits of this product but what has stood out to me in my first week of eating these nibs daily is their potent mood-boosting effects. I anyone has ever taken an anti-depressant before it literally feels like that without the haze. There is a tremendous amount of energy that comes with consuming this product as well. Yes, it has caffeine in it but the jolt you feel minutes after eating them is clearly different form what you get from your morning coffee. I am able to focus better, longer. Which is a huge plus because I am Adult ADD. I have noticed a better sexual experiences as well. Another benefit I am very fond of is the appetite suppressing effects. This product's high fiber content, basic nutritional profile combined with the appetite suppression makes it an incredible weight loss and management tool. As far as this specific brand of nibs I couldn't tell much other than I am happy with them and the price I paid for them. The package lists a serving as being an oz and since there are 16 to a unit a measured serving comes to about a cup, however I suspect it doesn't take consuming this much to benefit. If anyone can tell me differently that would be helpful because the flavor is tough to get used to. They are mostly flavorless with the really potent after taste of alcohol. Similar to that of a very high-quality, fresh olive oil and I don't care for it. But my recommendation is to eat them raw. As with the antioxidants and polyphenols present in other foods, those present in these nibs are less-absorbed and used less-readily if they are consumed with other high protein, high sugar or high fat foods.

I have been using Navitas Naturals supefoods for a while and Organic Raw Cacao Nibs are one of mine favorites. I mix them in my smoothies, yogurts. Cacao has a high content of magnesium,minerals and iron. My favorite smoothie is raw milk, one raw egg, cacao nibs, hemp protein, a banana, a 1/4 of tea spoon of vanilla extract and dates. Very nutritious, absolutely no junk and the taste...out of this world!! It is low in sugar, which I am not a big fan at all anyway, high in a good quality protein and fat...YES, FAT, which most of our population freaks out about, but sugar is the processed food, that people should be afraid of.....I know, I know...it tastes good, so it is hard to give it up. Sugar is in everything: alcohol, soda, sports drinks, pasta, grains, bread, fruit and vegetables, too. The obesity in this country is not because of fat, but sugar is the villain! And one more thing: stay away from whey protein! I know it is everywhere, because it is the cheapest ingredient to get and sell for 4,000% mark up! It is a by-product of diary industry and they cannot get rid of it. Try this: give it to cat in bowl...they will walk away. No sugar please. Then give them a raw milk..it will be gone in seconds!! Guess what? Your body does not digest whey!

I believe I read someone referring to Cacao nibs as 'The New Wine'. WELL... I'D HAVE TO AGREE! The problem is....I don't like wine! These cacao nibs oddly smell and taste like red wine to me. The taste is very pungent and in your face. I definitely wouldn't refer to it as pleasing. I usually am able to stomach through nasty tasting, health benificial foods that I buy, but this one is proving to be quite a challenge. I bought this because I already owned the Navitas Naturals Cacao Powder, 16-Ounce Pouches (Pack of 2) and I really like the taste of it. Especially when added to my oatmeal. These cacao nibs do not taste anything like the powder in my opinion. I even added it to my oatmeal just to be fair. I now own 2 bags of these nibs, and being they are expensive, you best believe I will be eating them! But as I said, the taste is hard to stomach, especially when eating alone. I usually add it to a handful of nuts and raisins and the taste is dulled which isn't so bad. I do notice a small spike in energy after eating these, but if I had to choose between the horrible taste of these Cacao nibs and the horrid taste of DoMatcha DoMatcha Organic 2nd Harvest Matcha, 2.82-Ounce for an energy boost, I think I'd have to go with the Matcha. It does a much better job at giving you that extra kick of energy because of the caffeine. As far as antioxidants go, there are plenty of other Nativa blends such as the Navitas Naturals Acai Powder, 8-Ounce Pouches if that's what your looking for. I would not recommend this to snack on per say, and if I had to choose between the nibs and the powdered form, I'd go for the powder. Hope this helps. ****UPDATE 09/01/12 So I finally found another way to get these things down and its working out pretty well. I've actually been throwing a few in my oatmeal along with a million other things (besides sugar of course =) By the time I dont mixing everything in, the taste of the cacao is masked and it actually add a bit of crunch to the oatmeal which is kinda nice. I recommend you try it if your having trouble getting these down.

I heard about these on the Ben Greenfield podcast. I ordered them from Amazon while still in the car (I wasn't driving!). They are super healthy cocoa without added sugar. I put them in the blender when making a smoothie, mix them with yogurt, or just snack on a few during the day. They solve the chocolate craving without the unhealthy added sugar. I haven't tried them with baking, but I believe they would be good. The price is quite reasonable when you consider how far they go. I bought 2 bags and haven't even gotten half way through the first despite a daily ration of 1-2 tablespoons. I would recommend this product.

Happy with product. Tastes good.