What is cocoa?

Cocoa refers specifically to the powder created from ground roasted cacao beans after most of the fat (cocoa butter) has been removed. This powder is a key ingredient in various chocolate products, including baking chocolate and chocolate drinks. The process entails fermentation, drying, roasting, and grinding the beans, which enhances the flavor and produces the fine powder that is rich in cocoa solids.

While whole unprocessed cacao beans are an essential starting point in chocolate production, they are not referred to as cocoa. The definition of cocoa is more specific, focusing on the processed product rather than the raw material. Similarly, a type of chocolate cake or a drink made from chocolate relates to cocoa but does not define it. Understanding this distinction is crucial when discussing the different forms of chocolate and cacao.