During the winter months, a hot mug of cocoa is universally appealing. If you've spent the day outdoors sledding and building snowmen—or indoors listening to the wind howl against the windows—we heartily endorse treating yourself to this toasty delight. However, we'd suggest a small tweak to your routine: Instead of trying to improve the chocolatey taste of your store-bought cocoa mix by using double the pre-filled packets per boiling water suggested, consider instead using natural unsweetened cacao nibs or cacao powder.
Using unsweetened cacao powder or even cacao nibs when preparing hot cocoa is a tasty alternative to commercial cocoa mixes. Commercial mixes often contain milk solids, artificial flavorings, and large amounts of sugar. Instead, start with warmed milk or a non-dairy substitute, whisk in our high-fat cacao powder until you achieve the richness you desire, and then add just as much of your sweetener of choice as you desire to complement the cacao flavor and not replace it.
Make some exotic variations. Try adding spice(s) to the milk for even more taste-bud-luxury. You might pair warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, or cloves, with licorice-laden fennel and star anise. You could infuse vanilla for a fragrant sweetness, or even a dash of cayenne for some bright capsicum heat.
Using natural cacao nibs or cacao powder when preparing hot cocoa is a tasty alternative to commercial cocoa mixes that often contain milk solids, artifical flavorings and large amounts of sugar.
> GET SOME CACAO FOR YOUR COCOAMake cocoa with cacao and cardamom. Make truffles with cacao and Earl Grey tea. Make sticky pecans with cacao and cinnamon. Or make something new!
Selefina is an online spice shop brought to you by Adagio Teas. Here you will find an assortment of spices gathered using the same dedication and care with which we’ve curated our online tea collection. With our decades of experience sourcing products and establishing global connections our mission is to bring you fresher, higher-quality spices and seasonings at lower prices. Please check back often as we continue to expand our catalog.