Is cocoa powder vegan? Pure cocoa powder is vegan but some types may have added ingredients that are not vegan. In addition, there are issues surrounding the production of certain cocoa powder brands that some may not consider vegan.
In this article, you’ll find a list of ethical vegan brands to look for, vegan recipes with cocoa powder, plus other helpful info you need to know to feel confident buying any type of cocoa.
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You've found a dreamy-looking vegan chocolate dessert recipe but it calls for cocoa powder. Is cocoa powder vegan, though? Is it dairy-free? Is it the same as chocolate powder or hot chocolate powder?
The very short answer is yes, cocoa powder in its purest form, is vegan (not to be mistaken with chocolate powder or hot chocolate powder, those are entirely different products!). However, there are some important things to consider before you choose the brand you want to buy, PLUS, there are also red-flag ingredients you need to look out for.
Before we get into all the details you need to know about vegan cocoa powder, I have some articles about other ingredients you may be wondering about, plus recipes to make vegan versions of common kitchen ingredients:
How is Cocoa Powder Made?
Cocoa powder is made from dried, ground cocoa solids after it has been processed to remove the fat (cocoa butter). A small amount of fat does remain in the cocoa powder and the higher the fat content, the richer chocolate flavour your desserts will have.
The result is a fine powder but each type of cocoa powder (see below) goes through a different process when being made.
Are All Cocoa Powders the Same? Can They Be Used Interchangeably?
They are not all the same and cannot always be used interchangeably. The best thing to do is always use the type of cocoa powder the recipe you are making calls for to achieve the best and intended results!
I won't go into detailed descriptions of each of the four types and how they work in recipes, that is a whole other article, but for this article, it's good to have a basic understanding of each type.
Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder - Also known as alkalized cocoa, it's made by soaking cocoa beans / cacao beans in an alkali solution before they are dried and ground. This process neutralizes the acidity in the cocoa beans which makes the cocoa less bitter and it also makes the cocoa powder darker. This type of cocoa powder is richer in chocolate flavour than all the other cocoa powders listed below.
Dutch-process cocoa powder is neutral since its acidity has been removed, so it will not react with baking soda like cacao powder does and will usually call for baking powder to provide a rise in your recipes.
Black Cocoa Powder - This is another type of Dutch-process cocoa powder, the difference is that it has been processed for longer in the alkalizing solution making it more "Dutched" and processed resulting in a darker powder.
Baked goods made with dark cocoa powder are darker in colour but don't let the darkness fool you. Desserts made with this type of cocoa don't have a deeper, richer, darker chocolate flavour, they have very little chocolate flavour. (Oreo cookies are made with black cocoa powder)
Cacao Powder / Natural Cocoa Powder - Natural cocoa powder is considered to be "raw" because it's made from ground cocoa beans that have been processed at a very low temperature, high heat is not used in its production process at all. Cacao cannot always be used instead of Dutch-process cocoa powder because it is more acidic, bitter, and has a much stronger taste.
In addition, since cacao powder is acidic, the recipe you are making will most likely call for baking soda so they can react with each other to provide lift to what you are making.
The only ingredient in pure cacao powder should be cacao powder or natural cocoa powder.
Chocolate Powder / Cocoa Mix - This is cocoa powder that has sugar and other ingredients added to it to make a hot chocolate mix. It is not usually vegan unless labelled as vegan. Look at the ingredients list for non-vegan ingredients.
Is All Cocoa Powder Vegan?
From the info above that describes how each type of cocoa powder is produced, technically, yes, cocoa powder is vegan as-is. However, if you aren't buying a pure brand, other ingredients may have been added, especially if it's a hot chocolate mix.
The main ingredient you need to be on the lookout for is added dairy products / milk ingredients or any other animal products. You can also look for the vegan symbol which may be on the package, however, it may still be vegan but not have the symbol because the brand has not sought out any type of certification, so the best way to know is to read the ingredient list.
If you see alkali, potassium carbonate or alkalized cocoa listed on the ingredient list, these are vegan and mean that the cocoa is Dutch process.
It's not only about the ingredients, though, there are also the ethical issues that go into the production of cocoa powder that is an issue for many vegans.
The Ethical Aspect of Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder is made from cocoa beans that are grown on cacao trees. These trees grow in tropical climates.
Countries in West Africa (Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon) produce 70% of the world’s cocoa beans. Brazil, Ecuador, and Indonesia are also big producers. [source]
The chocolate industry has always had a dark side because of ethical and sustainability issues. Since there is such a high demand for chocolate throughout the world, buyers want cocoa beans fast and cheap.
To produce at this rate, some producers do not pay their workers enough, they use forced child labour, they do not provide safe work conditions, and workers are forced to work long hours.
Deforestation is another issue with cocoa farming. From 2002 to 2019, the Ivory Coast and Ghana both suffered large losses in their forests, this was mainly due to cocoa farms. [source]
What Does Fairtrade Mean?
Fairtrade means that certain standards have to be met during the production and supply of a particular product.
It ensures that farmers and their workers are earning a living income, have safe working conditions and that their overall well-being, sustainability, and the planet take precedence over profit. It also means that child labour is not being utilized. Read more about Fairtrade.
The good news is many brands that are Fairtrade certified.
How to Know If Cocoa Has Been Produced Ethically
The long way is to research the product you are curious about. Go to their website and look for statements on where they get their cocoa from, if they are only using ethical and cruelty-free ingredients, or if they are in the process of obtaining Fairtrade certification.
If you can't find the info you need, contact the company. It's always good to know everything about the products and brands you are buying, so take the time to learn about them.
The short way is to look for a Fairtrade certification symbol. There are several, symbols, and which one a particular brand carries depends on the certifying body they went through to gain certification.
Also, look for the Rainforest Alliance certification symbol. If a product carries this symbol, it means that the brand supports the three pillars of sustainability: social, economic, and environmental. [source]
What Brands of Cocoa Powder Are Vegan?
In the list below, you'll find a list of some vegan Fairtrade cocoa powder brands, presented in no particular order. This is not a complete list of every Fairtrade vegan brand out there, but it's comprehensive enough to help you find something you like and is easy to find in your area.
I’ve noted a few points about each brand, including a link to each brand’s website and a link to purchase the product online.
A few things to keep in mind as you read through the list:
- Even though these companies manufacture vegan Fairtrade cocoa powder, that does not mean all of their products are also vegan and Fairtrade, it is up to you to understand the labels, and if you don't, get in touch with the company to ask your questions.
- If cross-contamination is an issue for you, look for cross-contamination statements on the container or website. Depending on your level of comfort, it is up to you whether or not you want to purchase that particular unsweetened cocoa powder. If you are still not satisfied, or you can't find the info you are looking for, contact the company directly.
- All statements about each brand below are based on the information presented on their websites at the time that this article was written.
- Look for these vegan cocoa powder brands at your local stores or online retailers (or the specific stores stated). If you cannot find them, look for the store locator on the brand's website for availability in your area.
Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder
1. Equal Exchange
- Equal Exchange's cocoa powder is not only vegan, fair trade certified, and kosher, but it's also organic.
- Buy online
2. Camino
- Camino's cocoa powder is certified as Fairtrade, organic, and kosher. This is a Canadian brand, so it may not be easy to find if you are outside of Canada, but if you can find it, it's the one I most often use and it works wonderfully in my recipes.
- Buy online
3. PC Organics
- This brand is certified as organic and Fairtrade.
- There are no sources to buy online, this brand is Canadian and can be found in any of the Loblaw Company Ltd. grocery stores here in Canada.
4. Green & Blacks
- This brand is certified as organic and Fairtrade.
- Buy online
5. Divine
- This brand is Fairtrade certified.
- Buy online
6. Valrhona
- This cocoa powder is a little different from the others. It's Dutch-processed, vegan, Fairtrade certified, and kosher certified, but it's the appearance that differs. Rather than having a dark, rich chocolate colour, the colour is described as "very warm red mahogany." I think this has to do with the amount of time it was processed with the alkali, the taste should be the same in your recipes. This brand has been described as the best Dutch-process cocoa powder available because of how it performs in recipes.
- Buy online
7. 365 by Whole Foods Market
- Whole Foods' cocoa powder is certified as Fairtrade, organic, and kosher.
- Buy online
8. Champlain
- Champlain's organic unsweetened cocoa is certified as Fairtrade, organic, and kosher.
- Buy online
9. Frontier Co-Op
- This brand is certified as Fairtrade, organic, and kosher.
- Buy online
Natural / Cacao Powder
1. Camino
- Camino's natural cocoa powder is certified as Fairtrade, organic, and kosher. This is a Canadian brand, so it may not be easy to find if you are outside of Canada.
- Buy online
2. 365 by Whole Foods Market
- Whole Foods' cacao powder is certified as Fairtrade and organic.
- Buy online
- This cacao powder is certified as Fairtrade, organic, and kosher.
- Buy online
4. Volupta
- This cacao powder is certified as Fairtrade and organic.
- Buy online
5. Ecoideas
- This cacao powder is certified as Fairtrade, organic, kosher, and gluten-free.
- Buy online
6. Everland
- Everland's cacao powder is certified as Fairtrade and organic. This is a Canadian brand, so it may not be easy to find if you are outside of Canada.
- Buy online (Canada, not available online in the US)
Black Cocoa Powder
I could not find any black cocoa powders that are certified fair trade but I was able to find one that plans to gain certification (see statement below). If / when I find black cocoa powder brands that are labelled as Fair trade cocoa, I will add them to the list.
1. Weirdo Good
- While this brand is not certified as Fairtrade, they are certified organic, use ingredients that were produced ethically, and are top-8 allergen-free.
- Buy online
Statement from Weirdo Good about Fairtrade:
Our cocoa is produced with a focus on sustainability and with fair trade practices. It doesn't have the seal on the packaging at the moment, but we'll be adding that in the near future! Getting fair trade certified is definitely something that's on our list; it's just a matter of getting through the process and paying the fees involved.
Bonus: Hot Chocolate Powder
Yes, this article is about cocoa powder for baking, but it can sometimes be confused with chocolate powder or hot cocoa mix. So just in case you're looking for a great hot cocoa mix that is vegan and Fairtrade, here are a few to choose from.
1. Camino
- All of Camino's hot chocolate powders are made with organic cocoa powder and are Fairtrade certified, but not all of them are vegan. The following are vegan:
- Simply Dark
- Maple
- Chili & Spice
- Intensely Dark
Note: This is a Canadian brand, so it may not be easy to find if you are outside of Canada.
2. Equal Exchange
- Equal Exchange manufactures a few different hot chocolate powders, two of them are vegan (and certified as Fairtrade and kosher!).
- Dark Hot Chocolate
- Spicy Hot Cocoa Mix
3. Lake Champlain
- Champlain produces four different hot chocolate flavours, all of which are certified as Fairtrade, organic and kosher.
- Traditional Organic Hot Chocolate
- Mocha Organic Hot Chocolate
- Spicy Aztec Organic Hot Chocolate
- Marshmallow Organic Hot Chocolate
Cocoa Powder FAQ
Pure cocoa powder is dairy-free, there should not be any dairy added to cocoa powder, however, if you are purchasing a chocolate powder / hot chocolate mix, milk powder or other animal products may be added, so always read the label to understand what you are buying.
Yes, pure cocoa powder used for baking (not to be mistaken with instant hot chocolate powder / chocolate powder) and should not contain any added animal ingredients. To be sure, read the ingredient list before buying.
Pure cocoa powder (Dutch-process, natural, and black) should not contain any animal products making it naturally vegan. When it comes to gluten, some brands may have been produced in a shared facility during the manufacturing process leading to cross-contamination. Read the label to ensure this is not the case, if you can't find any info about this, check the company's website or get in touch with them to ask.
Any cocoa processed with alkali to make it "Dutch-process" should not contain any animal products, however, there could be cross-contamination which may be a concern to you, so always read the label before purchasing.
In Conclusion...
Cocoa powder is indeed vegan if it's pure, however, if you are a vegan who prioritizes human rights the same as animal rights, then Fairtrade cocoa powder is what you will likely want to buy.
The same goes for chocolate bars, chocolate chips, and any other cocoa products and chocolate products.
Note: The Food Empowerment Project is a website filled with information on how our food choices affect others and our planet.
And remember that hot cocoa powder is not the same as cocoa powder because it will have milk products added to it, I've listed some vegan brands above for you to check out.
Vegan Recipes Using Cocoa Powder
Now that you have all the info you need and you know which brands of vegan cocoa powder are the best fit for you, it's time to start baking!
Here are some recipes to try:
