28 Nov Spicy Chocolate Chaud
Delectably rich, this spicy hot chocolate does nothing but good for your body. The key is to own the top notch ingredients, otherwise the health benefits won’t be the same. Naturally, there is a superfood twist that provides eye-opening aroma with a host of nutritional perks. Without compromising on the rich chocolatey flavour, this recipe delivers a subtle hint of heat from the warming spices of ginger, cinnamon and cayenne. Raw cacao powder, cacao butter and raw honey are the must-have base ingredients. Maca, a superfood adaptogen, blends so nicely with the chocolate flavour and will offer stamina through the hectic holiday time. Read on to discover the health benefits of these ingredients so you can indulge and feel amazing.
A word about the essential base ingredients
The taste and nutritional content of raw cacao is far superior to processed cocoa. Processed chocolate is made with cacao that has been heat-treated at temperatures high enough to destroy or distort its natural nutrition. Raw cacao (pronounced kacow) offers too many benefits to list here, but for the sake of this recipe, here’s a couple to remember: loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytonutrients, and soluble fibre to support healthy digestion and elimination. Containing very little if any caffeine, raw cacao is still a natural energy enhancer and releases those feel good endorphins. Cacao can also help suppress the appetite which can be a good thing if you are trying to kick the snacking habit.
Then, there’s next level – cacao butter. This is the fat extracted from the cacao bean and is known for its high concentration of antioxidant compounds, including oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. These antioxidants happen to be fatty acids that do wonders for the skin by reducing aging effects such as wrinkles and age spots. The aroma is out of this world and you’ll never use another fat source for hot chocolate once you try this.
Why add heat?
Especially in the cold months, our bodies can use a boost in circulation to keep warm while ridding those winter pathogens that cause congestion.
I’m not one to gorge into the spicy spices, but a hint of it with chocolate somehow invigorates! Cayenne can release endorphins and manage pain because of a component called capsaicin. Cayenne gets the blood moving, clears congestion, burns fat, reduces inflammation and improves the immune system.
Ginger, also on the slight spicy side, wakes up the digestion system, increasing circulation but also calming stomach upset. It strengthens and heals the digestive system and offers properties that destroy harmful bacteria, viruses and inflammation. When combined with other herbs, ginger enhances their effectiveness.
Cinnamon is yet another warming spice known to aid insulin’s ability to metabolize blood sugar. It strengthens the heart, lungs and kidneys and high in various healing nutrients.
Sip, Smile and feel the rich warmth.
| Prep Time | 8 minutes |
| Cook Time | 1 minute |
| Servings |
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- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 2 tbsp cacao butter
- 1 tbsp raw honey add 1/2 tbsp more if more sweetness is preferred
- 2 tsp maca powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp ginger powder
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1.5 cups water or milk of choice for a creamier drink
Ingredients
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- Place all dry ingredients in blender. You may need to cut up the cacao butter to get an accurate measurement, but eye-balling is fine too. Heat water or milk until almost boiling. Add to blender and mix for 1 minute.
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