Beat the Heat #4: Raw Cafe-Cacao Smoothie

Simple pleasures are what make life worth living, and during these hot summer days, nothing is better than a frozen drink. Deciding to combine my two favorite flavors, chocolate and coffee, I crafted a quick and easy summer drink! Refreshing, but I also wanted to test out a sample of Organic Raw Cacao Powder from More Than Alive and while doing some research on it, realized that because it was raw, it contained all the antioxidants and health benefits in it, unlike chocolates that are heated to more than 300°F! Keeping it in a cool context was important.

During pressing, the oil from the cacao is separated from the protein and fiber and this is normally done at high temperatures. Raw Cacao pressings never exceed 120°F, so the antioxidant properties still remain. This cake is then cold-ground and milled, producing a fine cacao powder.

Having made coffee granita the day before helps to make this process fly by, but if you haven’t, just had a shot of espresso and some ice. I say, plan ahead and make the granita. It’s worth the wait! Cafe con Leche Granita Recipe here!

 

Cafe-Cacao Smoothie
Serves 1
Ingredients
2 tablespoons Organic Raw Cocoa Powder
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup coffee granita
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Method

1. Pour everything into a blend and mix! Because of the cold granita, you won’t ever need ice and this prefers your drink from diluting!
2. Pour into your favorite glass and cheers!

The flavor of the raw cacao is unlike other cocoa powders; its earthy, with fruity notes without being bitter. It be a great addition to raw granola bars, brownies or cake balls rolled in a mixture of raw cacao and powdered sugar. You can find more information on raw cacao here, but below is one of my favorite parts of all the information provided:

 

“Cacao has been proven to be an excellent source of PEA (Phenylethylamine). It is an adrenal-related substance that is also created naturally by the brain and released when we are in love. This is one of the reasons why love and chocolate have a deep correlation.” -More Than Alive

Disclaimer: More Than Alive provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  All opinions are my own and based on personal experience with the product.