Ever Tried Drinking Chocolate?
Drinking Chocolate
(And a bit of geeking out on cacao!)
Have you tried "drinking chocolate"?
If not, are you in for a treat! And if so... well... you already know what we're talking about. 😋
We're very excited to be carrying some delicious Drinking Chocolate & bars from Black Jaguar Chocolate. It's all so good, we're going to have to geek out a bit. (If you just want to get straight to the Drinking Chocolate recipe, now's your chance to scroll down. 😁)
So, let's talk cacao. Its uses date back to 4000 years ago. Native strains have been used for thousands of years by Mayan cultures for health, spiritual use, and even as currency. Drinking Chocolate served to show reverence and hospitality in the Aztec Court of Montezuma. Perhaps part of the reason it's been so popular is that cacao is one of the richest foods in magnesium, supporting heart health, relaxing the muscles, joints, & nervous system, and it often helps with brain health. It's rich in antioxidants and iron. Cacao also contains tryptophan, which is a precursor to serotonin. The combination of tryptophan and magnesium supports serotonin release in the brain.
Pretty cool, heh? So how do we get it?
Scott & Emilie from Black Jaguar travelled many years in the origin lands of cacao to learn just that. Their chocolate is created from ripe cacao pods, harvested from carefully selected & cultivated trees, naturally fermented in wooden boxes, then air & sun dried in Nicaragua. Once in their hands on Vancouver Island, Scott & Emilie roast, crack, winnow, stone-grind, temper, & mold. They then hand wrap each bar.
They get all their cacao from Ingemann Fine Cocoa in Nicaragua, where they lived for many years. It's grown in the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve - one of the largest remaining tropical rainforests. Ingemann has not only benefited over 5000 workers & their immediate family members, the producers have planted more than 1 million cacao trees, adding to the reforestation of Nicaragua.
Needless to say, we're very happy to be carrying these new items and love supporting local creators, as well as those who produce their ingredients, when they are ethically & sustainably-minded. (Especially since the chocolate industry is not always as good as it tastes!)
Oh, and did we mention their Drinking Chocolate just won the Silver at the International Chocolate Awards? (And that it's not their first one.) Like we said... it's that good!
With that, it's time for the recipe! A traditional recipe dating back to The Maya of the Yucatan and to the Drinking Chocolate served at the Aztec Court of Montezuma, infused with chillies, vanilla, flowers, and spices. Now available for you to drink with reverence or simply to enjoy in the company of good people.
Our favourite way to make Mayan Blend Drinking Chocolate.
Use 4 or more pieces per cup..
Add hot liquid (water, milk, coffee, herbal tea, grain or nut milk).
Allow to melt for 15 seconds, then whisk or blend.
Sweeten if desired (raw honey recommended).
Of course, you can always mix it up a bit to fit your tastes! Another way they suggest making it is with 3 pieces, 2/3 cup water, 1/3 cup oat milk, and a teaspoon of honey. Have fun with it and figure out your favourite!
