The daily beverage: Cacao Elixir

Cacao is bitter and chocolatey, making it a nice alternative to coffee in the morning. It is also a brilliant afternoon beverage.

Raw cacao is not heat-treated, like cocoa, therefore cacao retains more nutrients. It contains theobromine, a similar compound to coffee, making it antioxidant rich and energising.

I like to make a cacao tonic with cacao, cinnamon, ginger, maca, medicinal mushrooms (reishi, chaga, lions mane, tremella: to name a few) and then you can add a teaspoon of sweetness if you like- I prefer to use a heaped spoon of raw carob powder for its natural sweet flavour, but other options to sweeten include raw organic honey or pure maple syrup).

Ingredient Guide

• 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder(start with less if you’d like a less strong taste)

• 1-2 teaspoons of medicinal mushrooms of choice (Ganoderma lucidum- reishi- is brilliant for immune function due to its beta glucan compounds or I absolutely love JING blend)

• Heaped spoon of raw carob powder

• 1 teaspoon maca root powder

• Any other spices desired

• 250ml your choice of milk (almond, cashew, oat, coconut, macadamia…)

• If needed, 1 teaspoon of sweetener like honey or pure maple syrup

Method

Winter Warm Cacao

Step 1. Measure out all ingredients into a saucepan and add your milk

Step 2. Place saucepan on medium heat and gently warm as you stir

Step 3. Once hot, pour into your favourite mug. Stir in your sweetener if desired

Summer Iced Cacao

Step 1. Measure out all ingredients into your blender

Step 2. Add ice cubes, milk & blend !

Alternatively, if you don’t own a blender…

Step 1. Measure out all dry ingredients into your favourite mug

Step 2. Pour a small amount of hot water into mug and stir the cacao/mushroom powders until they form a paste

Step 3. Add your cold milk of choice and a couple of ice cubes

Enjoy !