Cocoa Tea – Not Your Typical Tea
What is it? Is it tea? Hot chocolate? A mixture of both? Tea is made from leaves and this is not.
Cocoa tea originated in St. Lucia in the Caribbean. It is not a 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.
The traditional recipe may have milk, water, sugar and vanilla. There may be other flavors added such as cinnamon and nutmeg. In ancient times, floured dumplings were added to make the beverage more of a meal.
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.
It is considered a hearty, flavorful beverage to be enjoyed possibly as a dessert or with a meal. Cocoa tea has an unusual flavor and is not quite as rich as hot chocolate. It can be considered a close comparison.
The health benefits of cocoa are that they are rich in antioxidants, chemicals that fight cancer, heart disease and reduce the signs of aging.
Cocoa tea is not a typical tea not even close. But it is an enjoyable, delicious beverage that can be made for breakfast, lunch or 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.
With all the recent research detailing the health benefits of red wine, chocolate and tea, there is a wealth of possibilities. 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. You will most certainly reap the health benefits of all three.
Cocoa plants are small trees which contain seeds which are broken and cleaned. The seeds are fermented and are very bitter. The seeds are then roasted, cracked and are ground up. Heat is applied to melt fat and produce cocoa liquor which can be molded into chocolate. Cocoa is then made by squeezing out the fat and then dry powder is treated to produce the cocoa.
Definitely a unique taste for the discerning tea drinker.
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