Understanding the heart of our ingredients at Idilia Foods
At Idilia Foods, we work every day with one exceptional ingredient: cocoa — the finely processed form of cacao that brings depth, aroma, and warmth to products like ColaCao and Nocilla. But in everyday conversation, terms like cacao, cocoa, and chocolate often get mixed up. Understanding the differences matters — especially when quality and origin are key.
What is cacao?
Cacao refers to the raw beans of the Theobroma cacao tree. These are fermented, dried, and minimally processed — rich in natural antioxidants and intense in flavour. While cacao is where the chocolate journey begins, it’s not what we use directly at Idilia Foods. Instead, we work with its more refined and stable form: cocoa.
So, what exactly is cocoa?
Cocoa is what you get when cacao beans are roasted, ground, and defatted, often resulting in a smooth, soluble powder — ideal for mixing into drinks or spreading onto toast. It’s still packed with flavour, but it’s more versatile and accessible than raw cacao.
At Idilia Foods, we work with high-quality cocoa to craft beloved products like ColaCao, where its unique texture and flavour come from a careful balance between tradition and modern processing. It’s not just about taste — it’s about consistency, solubility, and keeping the character of the cocoa intact.
What about chocolate?
Chocolate is a final product made by combining cocoa (or cocoa mass) with sugar, fats (especially cocoa butter), and often milk solids. It’s sweet, creamy, and indulgent — but very different from pure cocoa. While delicious, chocolate is no longer just about the core ingredient; it’s a mix.
Why it matters
For consumers who care about what goes into their food, knowing the difference helps. Cocoa is not chocolate. It’s not raw cacao either. It’s a carefully refined version of the cacao bean — and at Idilia, we treat it with the respect it deserves. Whether it’s in the familiar comfort of ColaCao or the creamy indulgence of Nocilla, cocoa is our cornerstone.
In short:
- Cacao is the raw, unprocessed bean.
- Cocoa is roasted and ground cacao — the powder we use.
- Chocolate is a sweetened, finished product made with cocoa, sugar, and fat.
We at Idilia Foods are proud to work with cocoa — because it’s where real flavour begins.