Satisfy your chocolate craving with a light and refreshing cup of cocoa tea, the perfect pick-me-up any time of day.

Sometimes, we all need a little chocolate fix. There are days when only a large mug of creamy hot chocolate or box of decadent truffles will do the trick. But if you’re looking for something a little lighter, cacao tea could be the ideal guilt-free treat to hit the spot.

What is cacao tea?

Cacao tea (also known as chocolate tea) is a light and refreshing hot drink made from cacao beans. Unlike breakfast, mint, or green tea, cacao tea isn’t made from leaves but from roasted cacao bean shells.

When ground coarsely, cacao resembles coffee and can be similarly steeped in hot water. In fact, you can prepare it in a very similar way to French press coffee — the two drinks share a similar grind size and brewing time.

Chocolate tea is caffeine-free, making it a great alternative to coffee or black tea if you’re sensitive to caffeine. It’s also a good option when you fancy a late afternoon cuppa but don’t want to stay awake all night. Having said that, ground cacao husks do contain theobromine which some people find has a stimulant effect. However, theobromine releases energy in a slower, more gentle way than caffeine, so you’re less likely to have peaks and crashes.

Some experts believe the theobromine released in cacao tea can provide a range of health benefits, too.

If you are after a bit of a punchy morning wake up, though, why not set yourself up for the day with one of our unique coffee blends?

What does it taste like?

Unsurprisingly, cacao tea tastes like, well, cacao. Which in our books is always a good thing. It’s naturally sweet and tends to have delicate toffee and caramel flavour notes.

A big perk of drinking chocolate tea is that you get the characteristic flavour without the sugar or fat you might find in a traditional hot chocolate.

Now, don’t get us wrong, we are the first to reach for a comforting mug of velvety-smooth hot chocolate when the time calls for it. Who doesn’t need to indulge sometimes? But life is all about balance, after all, and perhaps an Orange Supermilk Hot Chocolate is best savoured as a special treat.

On its own, cacao tea has a similar texture to tea or black coffee. However, if you prefer something a little thicker or richer, you can add a dash of milk and sweeten it with sugar or honey.

How to make cacao tea

When that chocolate craving comes a-calling, no need to panic, you can whip up a tasty mug of cacao tea to satisfy it in just a few quick steps.

Firstly, boil a kettle and grab your roasted brewing cacao. You can adjust the quantities to suit your personal taste, but two tablespoons of cacao per cup of hot water is a good starting point.

Pop the ground cacao in whichever brewing device you’ve chosen — teapot, strainer, or cafetiere — and pour your hot water over it. Gently stir the mixture to prevent any clumping, and leave it to steep. As your drink brews, embrace the delightful chocolatey aroma.

Once the tea has brewed sufficiently, pour, sip, and enjoy!

How long should you steep the cocoa tea for?

Most chocolate tea aficionados agree that 4-5 minutes is the optimum brewing time for cacao.

After five minutes, the flavour can become too strong and have an unpleasant astringent edge. If your tea does steep for too long, you can try balancing the flavour with a sprinkle of sugar or splash of milk.

Can I use a tea strainer or a french press?

Tea strainers and French press coffee makers are ideal for preparing cacao tea as they make it easy to separate the ground cacao from the tea.

With fresh coffee, once the grounds have imparted their flavour on the water, they can be discarded (or added to deliciously aromatic body scrubs). It’s the same with cacao husks. You might find a few grounds sneak into the bottom of your cup, but ideally, you want to remove them for a smooth drinking experience.

Should I use filtered water for tea?

Often, tap water contains impurities and unwanted flavours that can impact the quality of your tea. If you live in an area with hard water, you might find you get more limescale in your kettle and end up with chalky-tasting drinks.

Using filtered water can eliminate these impurities to get you the most flavour and satisfaction out of your cacao tea.

Why should you warm the pot?

Whether you’re brewing your tea in a cafetiere, teapot, or using a tea strainer directly in your favourite mug, warming the vessel first will stop it from cracking from the sudden temperature change.

Energy-boosting mocha, cosy hot chocolate or delicate cacao tea — the clever cacao bean provides it all. The perfect starting point for drinkable chocolate treats any time of day.