How to Cook With Chocolate Nibs

Cocoa pods

Chocolate nibs, also called cocoa or cacao nibs, are roasted cocoa beans that have been broken up into smaller bits. They are crunchier than most nuts, resembling roasted coffee beans in texture and potential bitterness. Each has its own, unique flavor and, depending on where the bean was harvested, may contain (to the more-discerning palate) hints of banana, cherry, lemon, peanut or even coffee. Some have a natural sweetness, while other may taste tart or surprisingly bitter. Processed chocolate contains a mix of ground cocoa beans, as well as sugar to mask the bitterness, so we don't get to enjoy the variety of flavors that cocoa naturally affords when eaten that way. Eat chocolate nibs in savory and sweet dishes to appreciate the spectrum of flavors cocoa beans contain.

Things You'll Need

• Chocolate nibs
• Chocolate chip cookie recipe
• Coffee beans
• Chili recipe
• Ice cream

Instructions

1. Grind chocolate nibs with your coffee beans for a pot of coffee with a hint of chocolate in each cup.

2. Substitute 2/3 cup chocolate nibs, 1 cup currants and 1 cup chopped walnuts for chocolate chips in your chocolate chip cookie recipe.

3. Sprinkle chocolate nibs on top of your favorite ice cream instead of nuts or candy sprinkles. You'll enjoy both the crunch and the contrasting flavors.

4. Grind a few tbsp. of chocolate nibs and add the powder to your beef-based, spicy chili. It will add a depth and complexity to your chili that few will be able to identify.

References

• Gourmet Sleuth Equivalents and Substitutions
• Gourmet Sleuth Specialty Baking and Pastry Ingredients

Resources

• Ribeye Steaks with Cacao Nib Spice Rub
• San Francisco Examiner: The Heart of Chocolate