Raw cacao plays a significant role in the health and economic aspects of the ancient times. The Aztecs and the Mayans used cacao for medicinal purposes and eventually became important in the society. Later on, raw cacao was used as a currency for trade and became an important barter item.
Today, its popularity has spread all over the globe. Ecuador, Peru, Bali and Indonesia are amongst the countries that manufacture raw cacao beans. They are first pressed and then ground into a fine powder.
Naturally, raw cacao comes with a bitter taste but manufacturers often mixed it with naturally sweeteners such as carob and stevia to achieve a palatable flavor.