What is Dutch processed cocoa?
Dutch processed cocoa, which is also called “alkalized” cocoa powder, has been treated with an alkali during processing to produce a less harsh tasting, darkly colored cocoa. This process is purely to control flavor and color. Many people erroneously assume that alkalized cocoa powder is “better” than non-alkalized or “natural” cocoa powder. It is no better, just more mellow tasting and darker colored. For best results, use the type indicated in the recipe. All cocoa powder is made from chocolate liquor that has nearly all the cocoa butter removed under pressure so that it forms a press cake. This is ground into powder. While cocoa powder is considered low in fat (compared to other chocolates), it still contains 22% cocoa butter.
