An innovative scientific project developed in Brazil has achieved the creation of the world's first fat-free chocolate. This is a food alternative that combines sustainability, nutrition, and the use of agro-industrial waste, and which was recently selected by an international program of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
The product is called "cacao honey chocolate" and differs from traditional chocolates in that it contains no cocoa butter or other fats, according to the Argentine News Agency.
What is cacao honey
The development uses as its base the so-called "cacao honey", a naturally sweet liquid obtained from the pulp of that fruit, which in most cases is discarded during the production process. "We saw that many materials were being wasted, such as cacao honey, which is rich in minerals and antioxidants. From that, we thought about turning it into a main ingredient," explained to Xinhua the Brazilian chemical engineer Gustavo Rocha, founder of the startup Nutricandies, incubated at the Federal University of Goiás (UFG).
What is the 0% fat chocolate like
It is a chocolate with a creamier texture than solid, made with few ingredients, among them dehydrated cocoa powder and apple fiber, and with about 37 kilocalories per serving, significantly lower than traditional products. On the product's official website, they state that "this chocolate combines the soft, sweet flavor of honey with the intensity of pure cocoa, creating an irresistible mixture."
Health benefits
Cacao honey chocolate is rich in antioxidants, vitamin B3, potassium, and phosphorus. This ingredient replaces both sugar and fat, allowing for the production of a chocolate with a lower caloric content and outstanding nutritional properties. The idea arose from observing the waste of by-products in the cocoa chain. In addition, it has no artificial additives.
Selected by UNESCO
The project was selected to participate in the international program "Youth Impact: Because You Matter", promoted by UNESCO, which supports young innovators with solutions to global challenges such as climate change, food security, and sustainability.
As part of the program, the team will receive specialized mentoring, training, and financial support.
