Raaka

Raaka is a Finnish adjective meaning raw, uncooked, or crude. It is used to describe food and other materials in a minimally processed state, as well as more figurative qualities such as brutality or unrefined character. In compound forms, raaka combines with nouns to indicate a raw or crude version, for example raaka liha (raw meat) and raakaöljy (crude oil). The term can also appear in phrases describing harsh or unpolished conditions, such as raaka väkivalta (brutal violence).

Raaka Chocolate is a Brooklyn-based chocolate company known for making chocolate from unroasted cacao beans. The company emphasizes ethically sourced ingredients and transparent supply chains, and it has helped popularize the notion of “raw” or unroasted chocolate in consumer markets.

The concept of raw chocolate is subject to debate in food science. True raw processing would keep temperatures below certain thresholds, but fermentation and some processing steps can involve heat. As a result, products marketed as raw chocolate are often considered marketing labels as much as culinary distinctions, and definitions may vary by region or regulatory framework.

Beyond Finnish usage, raaka also appears as a brand name in various contexts. In general, the Finnish meaning remains the core sense, with Raaka functioning as a proper noun in brand names or specific titles.