Cocoa powder is a dry, unsweetened powder made from cocoa beans, which are the seeds of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao). Cocoa powder is produced by grinding cocoa beans into a paste, removing the cocoa butter (fat), and then grinding the remaining solids into a fine powder.
Cocoa powder is a versatile ingredient used in both sweet and savory recipes. It's commonly used in baking to add chocolate flavor and color to cakes, cookies, brownies, muffins, and other desserts. It can also be used to make chocolate sauces, hot cocoa, chocolate milk, and chocolate-flavored smoothies. In savory cooking, cocoa powder can be used as a seasoning in chili, mole sauce, and marinades to add depth and richness to dishes.