Quick Answer
Cocoa powder is made by grinding cocoa solids after most of the cocoa butter has been removed. According to English Wikipedia, Dutch-process (alkalized) cocoa is treated with an alkali such as potassium carbonate to reduce cocoa’s natural acidity, making it darker and less bitter, while natural cocoa is lighter in color and more acidic. Cocoa’s main alkaloid is theobromine, and it also contains caffeine: Wikipedia data shows about 78 mg of caffeine per 100 g of unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa and about 230 mg for natural cocoa. The chocolate powders and cocoa drink powders used in bubble tea are usually pre-sweetened with sugar and milk powder for convenience.
Types of Cocoa Powder
| Type | Description | Flavor |
|---|---|---|
| Natural cocoa powder | Not alkalized | Lighter color, more acidic |
| Dutch-process (alkalized) cocoa powder | Treated with an alkali to lower acidity | Darker, less bitter |
| Sweetened cocoa / chocolate drink powder | Sugar, milk powder and more added | Mix directly, fixed sweetness |
According to English Wikipedia, Dutch-process cocoa is linked to the Dutch chocolate maker van Houten; his father Casparus developed a hydraulic press to remove cocoa butter around 1828, which became the basis of cocoa powder production.
Do Cocoa Drinks Contain Caffeine?
Yes, but usually less than coffee. Cocoa’s main alkaloid is theobromine, and it also contains caffeine. In Taiwan, chain drink shops must label caffeine in freshly made drinks; see How Much Caffeine Is in Bubble Tea?
Cocoa Drinks for Bubble Tea Shops
| Drink | How it’s made |
|---|---|
| Cocoa fresh milk | Dissolve cocoa powder in hot water, then add fresh milk |
| Chocolate cheese foam | Cocoa drink topped with milk foam; see What Is Cheese Foam? |
| Chocolate smoothie | Blend chocolate smoothie powder with ice; see What Is Smoothie Powder? |
| “Dirty” chocolate drinks | Chocolate cup coating or chocolate foam; see What Is Cup Coating Powder? |
Cocoa powder clumps easily. Mix it into a paste with a little hot water first, then add the other liquids, and it will dissolve much better.
Tang Sugar Cocoa Products
Tang Sugar supplies chocolate cocoa powder, chocolate pudding powder, chocolate smoothie powder, chocolate cup coating powder, “dirty” chocolate foam powder and chocolate ice cream powder. See our powders or request samples.
FAQ
What is the difference between cocoa powder and chocolate powder?
Cocoa powder usually means ground cocoa solids with the cocoa butter removed; the chocolate and cocoa drink powders used in bubble tea are usually pre-sweetened with sugar and milk powder.
What is Dutch-process cocoa?
Dutch-process (alkalized) cocoa is cocoa treated with an alkali to reduce acidity, giving it a darker color and less bitterness.
Does cocoa powder contain caffeine?
Yes. According to English Wikipedia, unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder contains about 78 mg of caffeine per 100 g and natural cocoa about 230 mg.
How do you mix cocoa powder without lumps?
Mix the cocoa powder into a paste with a little hot water first, then add the other liquids and stir.
How do I choose cocoa powder for a drink shop?
Check whether it is pure cocoa or a pre-sweetened chocolate powder with milk powder, then compare solubility and flavor strength for each drink. Tang Sugar supplies chocolate cocoa powder, chocolate smoothie powder, chocolate pudding powder and chocolate foam powder; see our powders or request samples.
Further Reading
Sources
- Wikipedia: Dutch process chocolate
- Wikipedia: Theobromine
- Tang Sugar product list (March 2026 edition)
