This Cacao Goji Berry Smoothie is packed full of antioxidants from raw cacao powder and healthy fats from avocado. It’s almost like a thick chocolate milkshake! The goji berries are the perfect sweet and chewy topping and add such a fun color.
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Now onto this drool-worthy smoothie.
Cacao is one superfood that I use on a daily basis. I love putting it in my smoothies and chia seeds pudding for an antioxidant-rich snack! It’s important to not confuse raw cacao with cocoa powder.
The Difference Between Cacao vs Cocoa
Cacao is the purest form of chocolate you can consume, which means it is raw and much less processed than cocoa powder. Cacao is thought to be the highest source of antioxidants of all foods and the highest source of magnesium of all foods. It has been used throughout many cultures for years for health purposes
Cocoa may seem inferior to raw cacao, it’s actually very good for you if you choose a variety without added sugars and milk fats or oils. It’s also less expensive! Cocoa powder is produced similarly to cacao except cocoa undergoes a higher temperature of heat during processing. Surprisingly, it still retains plenty of antioxidants in the process and is still excellent for your heart, skin, blood pressure, and even your stress levels. If you buy cocoa powder, be sure you buy plain cocoa powder, not cocoa mixes which often contain sugar. Look for either regular cocoa powder or Dutch-processed (dark) cocoa powder.
Now that we’ve covered off the nutritional facts of cacao and cocoa, let’s make the smoothie!
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Cacao Goji Berry Smoothie
Ingredients
- 1 – 1½ cups Almond Milk
- 1 cup Frozen Zucchini
- 1 scoop Plant-Based Protein Powder
- ¼ Avocado
- 1 Tbs Chia Seeds
Optional
- 1 tsp Maca Powder
- ¼ tsp Ashwagandha
Toppings
- 1 Tbs Goji Berries
- 1 Tbs Cacao Nibs
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend for 2-3 minutes.
- Top with goji berries and cacao nibs.