How do the metals (Pd, Cd, As, Hg, and Al) rank in ppm for this product? Info found on other brands, but not this one...

I have no affiliation with this company other than buying their product. I regularly consume fairly large amounts of their powdered cacao product (usually ~25 grams/day), so with concerns about this stuff being grown in volcanic soil, I had myself tested and got the following results: lead 0.019 mcg/g, mercury below detectable limit, cadmium below detectable limit. I take beneficial element supplements so I can't say where those are coming from, but I consume only highly filtered (carbon block) water. Note that ppm and mcg/g is equivalent, and reference range for lead is <=0.048 mcg/g Hope this helps.

Can I melt the cocao nibs in a microwave and coat the cocoa onto the surface of a strawberry?

Hi Isabel L.,Unfortunately, the consistency of cacao nibs is not identical to chocolate chips. Raw cacao nibs are higher in protein and fiber and as a result, will not melt. Chocolate chips are a combination of cocoa powder, milk ingredients, sugar and other fillers that allow the chocolate to melt, whereas cacao nibs consist of tiny bits of cacao beans that been broken. Cacao nibs represent the true essence of cacao and are considered to be all-natural additions to cookies, muffins, cereals etc. Hope this helps answer your question, and if you have any other questions you can reach us by responding to this comment thread or by email at amazon@vivalabs.com.BesaRegistered NutritionistViva Labs

Just got my cacao nibs. They smell and taste like vinegar? Have they gone bad?

Cacao nibs are the end product of fermented cacao beans. The fermentation produces lactic acid ethanol and acetic acid. The vinegar smell is from the last phase of cacao fermentation. They should have a vinegar smell. If you roast them at 250 deg f. for around 30 minutes you will have roasted nibs. not chocolate yet. The acetic acid smell will turn into a flavor profile specific to that cacao.

A lot of people are saying these are hard on the teeth. If you suck on them, will they soften & melt in your mouth?

They don't really soften like chocolate does. However, I don't think they are hard on your teeth at all. I would compare them to eating an almond or peanut. I think that because they smell just like chocolate that you expect them to melt in your mouth like chocolate does. There is no cocoa butter and no milk in these which is what makes a chocolate bar smooth and creamy.

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Q: Can I melt the cocao nibs in a microwave and coat the cocoa onto the surface of a strawberry?

Hi Isabel L.,Unfortunately, the consistency of cacao nibs is not identical to chocolate chips. Raw cacao nibs are higher in protein and fiber and as a result, will not melt. Chocolate chips are a combination of cocoa powder, milk ingredients, sugar and other fillers that allow the chocolate to melt, whereas cacao nibs consist of tiny bits of cacao beans that been broken. Cacao nibs represent the true essence of cacao and are considered to be all-natural additions to cookies, muffins, cereals etc. Hope this helps answer your question, and if you have any other questions you can reach us by responding to this comment thread or by email at amazon@vivalabs.com.BesaRegistered NutritionistViva Labs

Q: Just got my cacao nibs. They smell and taste like vinegar? Have they gone bad?

Cacao nibs are the end product of fermented cacao beans. The fermentation produces lactic acid ethanol and acetic acid. The vinegar smell is from the last phase of cacao fermentation. They should have a vinegar smell. If you roast them at 250 deg f. for around 30 minutes you will have roasted nibs. not chocolate yet. The acetic acid smell will turn into a flavor profile specific to that cacao.

Q: A lot of people are saying these are hard on the teeth. If you suck on them, will they soften & melt in your mouth?

They don't really soften like chocolate does. However, I don't think they are hard on your teeth at all. I would compare them to eating an almond or peanut. I think that because they smell just like chocolate that you expect them to melt in your mouth like chocolate does. There is no cocoa butter and no milk in these which is what makes a chocolate bar smooth and creamy.

Viva Naturals Organic Cacao Nibs, Unsweetened, 1 LB (454 g), Keto Friendly, Vegan, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Substitute

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