Are you looking for a healthy drink to pick you up when you're feeling low on energy? How about one that's gluten-free, calorie-free, and tastes like chocolate? Well, look no further. Cacao tea has everything you need.
Cacao tea is made from the husk of the cacao bean. The cacao husks are then used to make an extremely healthy tea that's caffeine free.
Cacao tea is the perfect alternative to coffee and hot chocolate.
Not only is it a delicate energy boost, but the health benefits of cacao tea will also make you want to add it to your daily routine. Cacao tea is easy to make. All you have to do is steep some loose-leaf cacao husks in hot water for a few minutes, and you have yourself a nice warm drink.
Cacao tea Vs. Cocoa tea
The words may look similar, but there are actually a few differences between cacao and cocoa that are worth going over.
Cacao (pronounced Kuh-cow) refers to the fruit (cacao beans) from the Theobroma tree, which is grown on chocolate plantations, and the unprocessed raw product. What this means is that, generally, anything called cacao is uncooked. The cacao shell or cacao husks can still be in the product, or it can even be ground up into a cacao powder, but the lack of cooking means that cacao still has its bitter taste.
Cocoa (pronounced Ko-ko) is inherently sweeter and tastes more like the chocolate you're used to. This is usually because it's been roasted or cooked in some way, which brings out those sweeter flavors. You're most likely familiar with cocoa powder. Cocoa powder has gone through this roasting process.
So, generally speaking, cocoa products are processed and usually sweeter, while cacao products are more natural and have a more authentic bitter taste.
That being said, people often do confuse the names, and it's not uncommon for cacao tea to be referred to as chocolate tea.
The main health benefits of Cacao Tea
Drinking cacao tea is a healthy option for people looking for an energy boost but who don't want to deal with caffeine or extra calories.
No Calories
Perhaps the best reason to drink cacao tea is that it has that full chocolate flavor and none of the calories. Most chocolate drinks are filled with sugar and cream, making them more like a dessert than a drink.
That's not to say you can't add sugar and cream to your cacao tea, you can, and it's delicious. But cacao tea is perfectly good without those added ingredients. If you're looking for a healthy alternative that will satisfy your chocolate fix, try cacao tea.
Stimulation without side effects
Cacao tea can provide a boost of energy without all the side effects of caffeine. Caffeine can often lead to a jittery buzz and can exacerbate anxiety issues. It's a great caffeine-free drink if you're looking to cut down on coffee or black tea.
The natural substance called theobromine
Studies have shown that cacao husk tea has a high concentration of a natural compound called theobromine, which is an important bioactive compound that helps keep the brain and heart stimulated and healthy.
Theobromine is a natural stimulant with a smoother and slower release, which leads to a more sustained energy boost without the jitters.
Studies have found patients consuming cacao with theobromine enjoyed better brain stimulation, concentration, and focus. The patients also had improved performance with mental tasks and reduced mental fatigue.
Drinking cacao tea provides a smoother boost in energy and increases mental focus without getting jittery.
Mood-enhancing health benefits
The theobromine in cacao husk tea can also boost your mood. Since it stimulates blood flow to the brain, it can relieve stress. Theobromine also works as a muscle relaxer. It's why the energy boost you get from cacao tea is so smooth. Organic cacao boosts the neural activity of the brain while relaxing the body.
Flavonoids
Cacao husks are full of flavonoids, which scientists believe affect memory and mood-enhancing properties.
Flavonoids are a type of antioxidant that helps fight against cell-damaging free radicals. In addition, studies have shown that flavonoids can help with heart health by preventing the clogging of arteries. Flavonoids, in general, promote healthy blood flow and improve brain function.
In general, flavonoids are also linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. Cacao has some of the greatest concentrations of flavonoids, even more than tea and wine.