Cacao Almond Milk
Feb 01, 2022 12:00AM ● By Tiffany Hinton
With February being a month of love and all things the heart, we take a look at the heart healthy benefits of cacao. Cacao and chocolate both come from the same tree, Theobroma Cacao. This is a small tree that is native to the Amazon Basin and grows throughout the tropics and in Africa. The flesh fruit of the cacao tree contains brown seeds called cacao. These cacao seeds are the beginning of what we know as chocolate in the United States. The raw cacao has recently gained more notice on the super food list as it contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, all of which have been shown to have health benefits for the human body. WebMd reports that raw cacao contains natural flavanols antioxidant which studies report might help in lowering blood pressure and improving blood vessel wall function. Cacao research is also showing it can lessen stress, improve cognitive functioning potentially lower risk of diabetes. These potential improvements along with the depth of flavor from the cacao make it a perfect treat to warm the heart this season.
Warm Cacao Almond Milk
Serving size 8oz. Makes 1 serving.
Ingredients:
- 1 tbs raw cacao powder, or crushed raw cacao
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup almond milk
Directions:
In an electric milk warmer and brother or in a small pan on the stove, mix all ingredients. Cook while stirring until tiny bubbles form around the edge of the pan. Remove from the stove and pour in a mug to enjoy.
Recipe courtesy of Tiffany Hinton, GF Mom Certified. Connect with Tiffany online at @gfmomcertified and listen to Tiffany's podcast Cultivating Guts on Spotify or iTunes.
