Chocolate Bliss

 

A French Press

 

 

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Roasted cacao beans

 

 

My friend in California, who is way into healthy stuff, gave us a bag of Crio Bru roasted cocoa beans for Christmas.  We had never tried them before, but being dark chocolate lovers we were excited to give it a try.  

Oh my.  It's amazing.  It's like hot chocolate for grown ups.   All you do is add 2 Tbsp. of the ground cocoa beans to 6 ozs. of boiling water, stir, and steep for 8-12 minutes.  Then press.

If you don't have a French press, you can also brew them in your coffee pot, but only the kind with the gold filter, and only on a slow or 1-4 cup setting.  {Just remember - 2 Tbsp. per 6 oz. of water.}

 

Eric really enjoys it straight up.  Served that way it tastes a lot like unsweetened chocolate.  I prefer mine a little more mellow, so I add about a teaspoon of raw honey and a smidge of half and half {our goats are not in milk right now, I know it well be amazing with our raw milk.}  Hannah loves it with a bit of sugar.  ;-)   It smells so good and tastes even better!!  We have been enjoying it together in the evenings as we sit at our little bistro set we have in the living room.  It's like sitting at a little French café - uber romantic!

 

Here are some of the great things about them.   They are considered a superfood because...

• Cocoa beans are loaded with antioxidants which boost your immune system.
• Cocoa beans have a natural stimulant {theobromine, not caffeine} which boosts your energy.
• Cocoa beans are an appetite suppressant.
• Cocoa beans are loaded with magnesium, a mineral needed for healthy hearts, brains and bones.
• Cocoa beans are loaded with chromium and zinc which help to maintain healthy blood sugar.
• A 6 oz. cup has only 10 calories {unless, of course, you add honey and half n half ;-)  }
• Cocoa beans are cholesterol free, sugar free, and sodium free.

You can find them at Whole Foods, Amazon, and Azure Standard (which is where I bought them.)

 

If you like dark chocolate, you really must try Crio Bru.