If you follow me on Instagram, you know I loooooove my morning Hot Cacao drink. I've never been one to drink coffee (can't handle the caffeine) but I do like the feeling of a hot morning drink that gets me focused & energized.
First I'll begin by saying that COCOA & CACAO are not the same. Both are chocolate, yes, but cocoa is the result of pure cacao being highly heated, processed, & with sugar added. This creates the chocolatey sugary powder most people are used to when making say, a hot chocolate.
Cacao on the other hand, is the raw, pure form of the cacao bean that has been ground down into a powder, but not heated. And no sugar has been added. This allows for all of the wonderful superfood health benefits to be intact & useful to our bodies. It contains about the same amount of caffeine as a decaf cup of coffee (however cacao from different brands & different countries, can vary).
Similar to other natural health products (like Essential Oils), not all are created with equal quality, purity, or integrity. The brand of Cacao I love is One World Cacao. This cacao is sourced sustainably & ethically direct from farmers in Guatemala & owned by a friend of mine in Newport, RI who has been in the cacao industry for a decade. (Hot tip: if you’re a local you can select local pick-up when you order online & grab it from her commercial kitchen + Use my code MEREDITH10 for 10% off your order at oneworldcacao.com.
Why Cacao? What are the health benefits? Here's a few:
Increases focus & energy
Improves memory
Creativity inducer
Curbs appetite
Increases Metabolism
Highest natural plant source of: Magnesium, Iron, Sulfur, Antioxidants (40x that of blueberries)
Eats plaque & phlegm from organs
Beneficial for the digestive & cardiovascular systems as well as brain & cognitive function
Activates & opens the crown & heart chakras
Basically, it's amazing. And I've heard it’s great for those trying to get off coffee. Can't say from experience, but worth a try.
So let's get to the recipe, shall we?
What you need:
1C - 1.5C Hot Water (I like it more thin so I do 1.5C)
Small Handful Raw, Unsalted Cashews (optional - for smooth, frothy latte type texture)
1oz. Ceremonial Grade Cacao from One World Cacao (use code MEREDITH10 for 10% off)
1T Unrefined Coconut Oil
1T Coconut Butter (not the same as “cocoa butter”)
1T Honey (raw, local, or good quality)
1 drop doTERRA Cinnamon Essential Oil
Optional add-ons:
Other doTERRA Essential Oils like Peppermint, Cardamom, Turmeric. 1 drop per serving is all you need!
Vital Proteins Collagen Powder (for protein, gut health, hair, skin, nails, joints, etc)
Spices like Cinnamon, Turmeric, or Cayenne.
Superfood powders & herbs like Maca, Tocos, Reishi, Ashwaganda, whatever you like or have in the pantry. I like the brand Moon Juice. I’ve even added their Pea Protein Powder to it.
What to do:
If you're adding cashews (helps create the creamy, latte texture) you can pre-soak the cashews or let them soak in the hot water in the blender for a few minutes while you grab everything else. If you don't have time or remember though, that's okay too.
Add water, cashews, cacao & all other ingredients into a high-powered blender like a Vitamix. Blend & pour into your favorite jar or mug & enjoy!
makes 1 drink
5 minutes