Cocoa powder can range from light tan to jet black with varying pH levels that affect how it interacts with other ingredients. Natural or non-alkalized cocoa powder is the most commonly used type.

Cacao powder is similar to cocoa powder, but it's more nutritious overall. (Photo Credit: Moment/Getty Images) Cacao is the name of the small tree native to the Amazon basin that grows cacao ...

Carob powder is a common ingredient in desserts and baked goods and can act as a substitute for cocoa powder. High in fiber and low in fat, carob powder contains calcium and antioxidants.

If you buy chocolate, you’ve likely noticed that some packages say they contain cacao while others say cocoa. Maybe you’ve even seen raw cacao powder or cacao nibs in health food stores ...

“Though some people use the terms interchangeably, cacao generally refers to the raw bean and powder, while cocoa has been roasted and alkalized to reduce acidity,” says Hultin. She adds that ...