I will admit that I was skeptical when I first heard about the trend of bone broth hot chocolate. How could it possible taste good so why should I even bother trying it?
Well, I tried it and I went from skeptical to impressed!
What is Bone Broth?
It seems like we are hearing a lot about bone broth these days. So what is it?
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissues in water for 12 hours or longer. It can be made from many different animals, but most bone broth will be made from beef or chicken. It may sound weird, but it’s actually quite tasty and packs a lot of nutrients.
What are the Health Benefits of Bone Broth?
Bone broth has been around for centuries, but recently interest has spiked due to its many health benefits such as healthy digestion, anti-inflammatory, joint health, weight management, and improved sleep quality’ and cognitive function.
Since it contains many beneficial nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids compared to regular stocks and broths, it’s a great nutrient-dense addition to your pantry.
Beef bone broth can be purchased in our farm store. We do not sell chicken bone broth, but I have created a video showing you how to make it.
How can i incorporate Bone Broth into my diet?
Bone broth can be used essentially anywhere you use a regular broth or stock, even in hot cocoa!
Here are a few ideas:
Sauces
Soup base
Cook pasta in it
Sip by itself
Mashed potatoes
Hot chocolate
What will i Need to Make Bone Broth Hot Chocolate?
Bone Broth - Either beef or chicken bone broth will work
Milk
Cacao or Cocoa powder - There is a big difference between cacao and cocoa powder.
Maple Syrup or Honey
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Salt
Cacao vs. Cocoa: Which One Is Right for You?
Even though they sound similar and are both derived from the same bean, the difference between cacao vs. cocoa is about much more than a difference in vowels.
Cacao powder is produced by cold-pressing unroasted cacao beans, allowing it to retain more nutrients and giving it a richer, more intense flavor. The preservation of nutrients in raw cacao means that it has a much higher amount of antioxidants, flavonoids, and minerals like protein, fiber, magnesium and iron.
Organic Cacao Powder
Cacao is often considered the superfood of all superfoods! It is one of the highest sources of magnesium in nature, full of antioxidants, calcium, zinc, copper, and selenium. Cacao contains more antioxidants per gram than blueberries, goji berries, red wine, raisins, prunes, and even pomegranates. It triggers neurotransmitters that are associated with elevating mood and mental well being!
Cocoa powder, even unsweetened, is made from cacao beans that have been highly processed. The beans are fermented, roasted at a high temperature, washed in an alkaline solution of potassium carbonate, and ground.
The processing of cocoa powder causes it to be less nutrient-dense and loses the incredible health benefits associated with cacao beans. In addition, cocoa is often mixed with additives and preservatives to reduce its bitterness, increase its shelf life, and achieve a flavor suitable for the mass market.
The one us choose really comes down to your health goals, flavor preferences, and recipes.
Do you want maximum nutrients and a strong chocolate flavor? Then opt for raw cacao powder.
Are you going for a smoother, less bitter taste? Try cocoa powder versus cacao powder.
In our family we always go for the more beneficial, less processed one, which for us is cacao powder. We even carry organic cacao powder in the farm store.
Bone Broth Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
1 cup bone broth
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
2 tablespoons cacao or cocoa powder
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Dash of cinnamon
Dash of salt
Instructions
Heat: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the bone broth to a light simmer.
Mix: Add the milk, maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and cinnamon to the saucepan and whisk until creamy and smooth.
Serve: Pour the hot chocolate into mugs. If desired, use a milk frother to make the hot chocolate nice and foamy. Sip and enjoy!