The invention provides acidified red cocoa products and ingredients, such
as acidified red cocoa bean nibs, red cocoa liquor, and red cocoa powder.
The acidified cocoa products and ingredients are generally made from
under-fermented or unfermented cocoa beans that are treated with an acid
composition. The methods include those of making food products and
ingredients where the levels cocoa antioxidants are maintained by the use
of an acid treatment and the avoidance of dutching, and the food products
and ingredient have a distinctive red color. Cocoa nibs, chocolate or
cocoa liquor and cocoa powders having a red hue or color and having high
levels of cocoa antioxidants are disclosed, as well as food products made
from them.