Hot cacao is a great way to get nutrition while feeling devilishly decadent. The trick is buying cacao in its raw form, rather than succumbing to the highly processed low-grade hot chocolates that contain nothing but empty calories and little in the way of true cacao.

Naturopath Aimee Robbins says raw powered cacao is chock full of flavonoids, which act as natural antioxidants. “Antioxidants protect the body from aging and disease caused by free radicals. Raw cacao contains up to four times the antioxidants of traditional cacao powder, and has the highest antioxidant value of all the natural foods in the world.”

Scientists from Cornwell University recently discovered that raw cacao contains nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine, and up to three times the antioxidants found in green tea. The cacao bean is also rich in magnesium, an energy mineral and vital electrolyte that keeps our heart beating well into old age.

This super food is also good for beauty, in that it is the best source of sulphur there is. Sulphur is associated with strong nails, beautiful, shiny hair, and a clean liver and pancreas.

If that wasn’t enough reason to drink up, Medical herbalist Dominique Finney, says the flavonoids in cacao prevent fat-like substances in the bloodstream from oxidizing and clogging arteries. “Cacao has also been found to help regulate blood pressure, reduce cholesterol while building the immune system.”

don’t settle for fake hot chocolate

The best way to make sure you’re getting the real deal is to start with quality raw cacao powder available in good supermarkets and health food shops. The best powder is dark brown and will taste bitter. You can make your own hot beverage by mixing the powder with hot water or milk.

Some research has found that mixing diary with cacao inhibits the absorption of the nutrients. So to get the most health benefits from your cup of cacao try using a milk substitute like coconut milk, soy milk, rice milk or just plain water. If you’re a sweet tooth, add sugar, honey or agave nectar.

Drinking hot cocoa will give you more antioxidants than simply eating chocolate, because the heat releases more antioxidants. That said, Melbourne chocolatier Kirsten Tibballs recommends eating 60 grams of good quality dark chocolate every day for a healthy body. “There is also a new chocolate called Acticoa that has nine times the antioxidants of red wine and five times more than green tea.”

drink up

Drinking a cup of hot cacao before meals can diminish your appetite by helping the body tune into its natural appetite. According to Dr Gabriel Cousens, this is due to cacao’s monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors (MAO inhibitors). That’s why it’s often added to weight loss supplements.

While cacao is packed full of healthful goodness, you can have too much of a good thing. Cacao is very powerful on the central nervous system and over indulging can interfere with calcium retention. Consuming 40 grams (or 4-6 heaped teaspoons) of raw cacao throughout the day is both beneficial and enjoyable.

did you know?

Raw cocoa is an aphrodisiac because amongst other things, it contains anandamide, often described as an euphoric substance. It carries PEA (phenylethylamine) also known as the ‘molecule of joy’. While this super molecule exists naturally in the brain, the only other food that contains PEA is blue green algae.

The British Medical Journal lists the cacao plant as the number one food source on the planet.

Chocolate fact file:

-       Cacao, the source of chocolate, contains antibacterial agents that fight tooth decay

-       The smell of chocolate may increase theta brain waves, leading to better relaxation

-       A Harvard study of 7,841 of healthy men found those who ate chocolate lived a year longer than those who abstained

-       Mexican healers use chocolate to treat bronchitis and insect bites

Cacao fruit balls

These are an easy to make alternative to Easter eggs and make a great tasting low kilojoule sweet treat.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup almonds

1/2 cup cashews

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1 cup dates

1/4 cup sultanas

1-2 teaspoons vanilla essence

2-3 dessertspoons cocoa

Put everything into good processor then put the combined mixture in the fridge for half an hour. Once the mixture is cool, roll into walnut size balls (makes about 30), then roll in the coconut to finish.

Kilojoules

Cacao fruit ball 230 kj

50gm milk chocolate egg 2200 kj

50 gm dark chocolate egg 1050 kj

Fat content

Cacao fruit ball 3.5 gm

50 gm milk/dark chocolate egg 15 gm