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I know chocolate isn't paleo, but I was wondering if there was some way to reduce the phytic acid in cocoa or chocolate by cooking/fermenting?

I had an idea to add cocoa to a yoghurt (also not paleo!) would that work to reduce the phytic acid?

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All cocoa seeds are ferented naturally for a few days after they are picked to make them edible. They are then broken into nibs, roasted and and then ground into cocoa powder and butter. The cocoa power is often then dutched (mixed with alkali) to make it less acidic.

All this processing probably has as much effect on antinutrients in the cocoa as you are going to get. Anything else you try to do yourself would be more likely to just make it unappetizing in my opinion. Roasting probably reduces the phytates so you could avoid raw cocoa or chocolate.

Just enjoy your cocoa and chocolate for what it is, you are unlikely to eat enough for the phytates, oxalates etc to have any effect on your health.

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Good answer Matthew! – gilliebean Apr 30 2010 at 15:04
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What's wrong with phytic acid is that it inhibits mineral absorption.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3034044

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2998440

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14985216

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she asked about removal of it, not what it is. – sean Jan 12 2012 at 14:13
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What's wrong with phytic acid, aside from being a common target on paleo blogs? Did you know many people supplement with it?

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You should ask this as a separate question; not as an answer to another question. – gilliebean Apr 30 2010 at 15:04
I already know the answer. – Jay Apr 30 2010 at 18:26
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That's no reason not to ask it. ;) The answer might be helpful to others. – gilliebean Apr 30 2010 at 19:07
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Pouring hot water over cocoa powder should help get rid of some.

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