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Cocoa Powder Nutritional Information

Cocoa powder is chocolate that's had much of its fat removed. After cacao beans have been harvested, dried and roasted, they are crushed into a slurry called "chocolate liquor." This liquor is pressed to remove the majority of its cocoa butter, and the remaining solids are further processed to become unsweetened natural cocoa powder.

  1. Dutch-Process Cocoa

    • Dutch-process cocoa has had its natural acidity neutralized with alkali; it's also known as alkalized unsweetened cocoa powder. Its flavor is more mellow than natural cocoa, and its color can range from reddish-brown to a rich, dark brown depending upon how alkaline it is, ranging from a neutral 7 to an alkaline 8.

    Natural Cocoa

    • Natural unsweetened cocoa's flavor is sharper and more intense than Dutch-process cocoa. It has a complex chocolate flavor and is acidic, with a pH of about 5.5. In stores, it is usually listed simply as "cocoa," and when recipes call for cocoa powder, they are typically referring to this type of cocoa.

    Dutch-Process Cocoa Nutritional Facts

    • A 1-tbsp. serving of Dutch-process cocoa contains 12 calories, 1 g of fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, 3 g of carbohydrates, 2 g of fiber and 1 g of protein.

    Natural Cocoa Nutritional Facts

    • A 1-tbsp. serving of cocoa contains 12 calories, 1 g of fat, 0 mg of cholesterol, 3 g of carbohydrates, 2 g of fiber and 1 g of protein.

    Hot Cocoa Mix

    • Don't mistake cocoa powder for hot cocoa mix. Hot cocoa mix typically blends cocoa powder with powdered milk, sugar and other additives, resulting in a higher calorie-content than either Dutch-process or natural cocoa powders.

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