Chocoholic or chocolate dabbler? No matter how well-versed you are in chocolate, you’ve maybe never heard of cacao shell tea. And, you probably aren’t aware of the bountiful benefits one can get from drinking it.
You’ve heard of green tea, black tea, peppermint tea and more. Cacao shell? Not so much. We’ve got you covered. We’ll explore all there is to know about cacao shell tea and have you sipping away in no time. Read on, but don’t forget, pinkies out!
What is Cacao Shell Tea?
Like any tea, a herb is dried, cured or fresh and hot water is poured over it to let it steep. As it steeps, the beneficial compounds and nutrients in tea are extracted, as well as the flavour, leading to a warming drink complete with other benefits. For example, mint tea contains menthol which eases the stomach and helps reduce IBS issues. Tea has long been enjoyed as far back as 2773 BC.
Cacao shell tea has been enjoyed as far back as that time, too, being used by the Aztecs and Maya. Cacao shell tea is tea made from the dried outer shell of a cacao bean.
This shell is separated from the bean during a process called winnowing and removed before being turned into chocolate. In the past, this cocoa husk would have been thrown away, but nowadays there is a high demand for its use as a tea. Cacao shell is edible, but it doesn’t taste the greatest when eaten, and it won’t grind down to make chocolate.
When we’ve separated the shell, we can use it as a tea by steeping it in hot water.
Fun Fact: The very first First Lady of the United States, Martha Washington, was a huge fan of cacao shell tea.
Health Benefits of Cacao Shell Tea
As with many other teas, there are some health benefits to sipping on cacao shell tea. Let’s break it down:
Antioxidants (Flavanols):
Antioxidants are important for a healthy body, as they balance out free radicals in your body. Free radicals cause oxidative stress on cells, leading to cell damage and increasing ageing. When you intake antioxidants, you can protect your cells. However, having too many antioxidants can also be dangerous and cause actual cell damage. Try to balance your antioxidant levels, which cacao shell tea can aid with if your diet is low in them.
Caffeine Free:
Though cocoa beans contain caffeine and theobromine, two stimulants that can give you bursts of energy, cacao shells contain no caffeine. This is great for those who may be sensitive to caffeine, or for a warm and soothing drink late at night that won’t disturb your sleep.
Nutrient Rich:
Cacao husks have a robust nutrient and mineral-rich profile that helps with many of the body’s functions. Husks are rich in B vitamins (essential for turning food into energy, forming red blood cells, helping repair DNA and are important for brain and nerve function) and Vitamin A (important for eyesight, keeping skin healthy, and is important in building the immune system).
Magnesium (essential for heart and bone health, as well as nerve and muscle function), manganese (helps form bones and teeth, aids blood clotting and wound healing), iron (essential for cognitive function, a strong immune system and energy levels), calcium (important in bone health, muscle contraction, blood flow and nerve signals) and other trace minerals are also found in cacao shell tea.
How to Brew Cacao Shell Tea
Take a small amount, about a teaspoon per person, and put it into a teapot. Pour boiling water onto the shell and let it sit for 2-5 minutes. If you’re looking for a strong flavour, leave it to steep longer. Enjoy while warm.
Cacao shell tea has a slightly chocolatey taste to it, with more of a green tea profile overall. The smell is heavenly, like melted chocolate, and this alone can bring a comforting smile to your face.
Add vanilla, cinnamon and other other spices to enhance the flavour and build on the light chocolate taste. Enjoy morning, noon and night. And, why not pair the tea with a chocolatey treat or even other sweet desserts. Its light taste works well with many types of food.
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