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
- 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!
- 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.
Love it! Cool and refreshing. 🙂
Wonderful guest post and recipe — a nice alternative to iced coffee. Thank you!
WOW! I would loooooove to chill out with that smoothie…sounds delicious! And I enjoyed that food science lesson…thanks! 🙂
Ooh. Refreshing and nice.
this is amazing! I wish Belgium had some more heat to beat 😉 <3
WOW!!! Coffe granita is already stupendous… but add cocoa to it. Oooh I want this now! Stunning!
Coffee, cinnamon and raw cocoa…what more could I ask for in a smoothie!
You are SO clever ! This looks amazingly good and you say it’s good for me too? Where do I sign up?
How about that girlie girl I learned something new today. Very cool to know about cocoa and how temperatures affect the antioxidants. This summery coffee chocolat emilk will go so well with Annapet’s Mocharons:).
Oh my goodness this looks like my kind of smoothie!
hehehe yay for cacao powder! i think its a superfood! i always thought cacao and cocoa were the same…lol. what exactly is the difference other than the flavor?
Hey Nelly – I love that bit about the PEA, too! That’s awesome. I like to bake with cocoa powder, too. Would this be a good substitute? For say, chocolate cupcakes?
Cheers,
Tia
Holy moly that looks amazing! Please come to New England and be my personal chef… please, please, please. 😉
Yum! After touring coastal coffee yesterday and having a great iced coffee, I have coffee on the brain now! Will pass this along!
This is awesome, Marnely. I can grind the raw cacao nibs that I have a ton of!
Oh, delicious Nelly! I think I’m finally coming down with the cold my kids and hubbie had. This looks like the perfect “medicine” for me 🙂
You know I love this!!! I get organic chocolate from a Cortes chocolate supplier. Enjoy your drink 😉
Oh.My.God.I want this so badly right now! I must make this. The same ingredient of PEA is also found in chocolates.So I’m sure I’m going to love this concoction. Thanks for sharing, Nelly! Gracias!
Mmmm–refreshing! Had not heard of raw cocoa powder. I’m getting more and more interested in food enzymes, and they, too, are killed off at higher temps. Will have to check these guys out!