Cocoa Article

Cocoa Tea - A Not So Traditional Tea

What is it? Is it tea? Hot chocolate? A mixture of both? Well actual tea is made from tea leaves and this is not.

Cocoa tea originated in St. Lucia in the Caribbean. It is not an actual tea however, since it contains a bay leaf and cinnamon stick it looks very similar to tea . The leaf and stick are steeped in the water similar to the way tea is made, but that is where the similarity ends.

A basic recipe calls for a cocoa stick, water, milk, sugar to sweeten, vanilla, a bay leaf, cinnamon and cornstarch. The water is boiled with the cinnamon and bay leaf. It is suggested that you boil these for at least 10-15 minutes. Add the cocoa stick and boil another 5 minutes. Then add milk and sweeten with sugar. Add the cornstarch slowly and boil again. Stir every few minutes. Add vanilla and serve. Skim or soy milk can be used to reduce the calories and artificial sweetener can be used to cut the calories.

Cocoa Tea has an unusual flavor and is not quite as rich as hot chocolate. But it can be considered a close comparison. It is considered a hearty, flavorful beverage to be enjoyed possibly as a dessert or with a meal. It is a delicious beverage that can even be made for breakfast, or lunch, as well as dinner. It may be best served as a dessert treat or a compliment to an entrée. You may want to ask for dumplings which are a filling additive.

We have all heard recently about the health benefits of cocoa and that it is rich in antioxidants, chemicals that fight cancer, heart disease and reduce the signs of aging. It has given chocolate lovers a new reason to indulge in their favorite food. And with all the recent research detailing the health benefits of red wine, and tea, there is a wealth of possibilities. If you are wanting to reap these health benefits, it is recommended that you have a glass of cocoa tea in the morning, a cup of tea in the afternoon and a glass of red wine in the evening. Sounds like a good reason to have a glass of wine to me.

But what about combining the benefits of Cocoa with the benefits of real Tea? Good Earth Teas has recently come out with something that has done that and is even more interesting than Cocoa Tea. It is their new Cocoa Chai Tea. "In this blend, the spice notes of cloves and cardamom combine with the dark natural cocoa to give a richly satisfying treat", according to Good Earth. I have not yet seen this tea available in stores but you can buy it online. You can read more about it in our article titled Cocoa Chai Tea Is A Winner.