For a treat with more health value, more antioxidants flavanols to be exact, then it would be wise to learn how to make this special cocoa recipe. Flavanols which are compounds that naturally exist in cocoa beans have been associated with several favorable effects on human health such as the improvement of echinacea health, enhancement of brain function and the decrease in inflammation. High flavanol cocoa is a good way through which one can enjoy the taste of cocoa and keep the health objectives on check.

In this guide, we shall take you through a step by step process on how to prepare high flavanol cocoa at home while using the best ingredients to enhance the health benefits with out neglecting the taste. In addition, we’ll give you options as to the type of ingredient that is best for you, info on how to prepare the best cup and the various ways you can serve it.

Ingredients of High Flavanol Cocoa

For making a real flavanol cocoa, you must decide on the ingredients you are going to use. This is what you’ll need to prepare the cup which not only will taste good but also contains flavanols which are good for your health.

2 tablespoons high flavanol cocoa powder (that is the pure unsweetened cocoa powder made from cocoa beans)
1 cup milk OR you may use any other type of milk such as almond milk, oat milk etc.
1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey optional ( to make the smoothie more sweet)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cinnamon (Optional because, again, some people like the taste of cinnamon. )
1/8th of a teaspoon of sea salt (to counter the sweetness)

‘High-flavanol cocoa powder,’ however, can be procured from specialty grocery shops and à la carte online. Choose brands which name their cocoa as flavanol-rich because most cocoa powders decline in flavanols during processing. The milk or its substitute offers the thickness that is required to get that milky feel around the cocoa; the maple syrup or honey will offer natural sweetness to counter the bitterness of the cocoa.

Step-by-Step Recipe of High Flavanol Cocoa

In fact, preparing high flavanol cocoa is easy and can be done within a very short time. Follow these steps for a cup of creamy, antioxidant-packed cocoa:

Heat the Milk: Pour the milk or your preferred milk substitute into a small pan, then heat it over medium-low heat. Often stir it so that the milk does not over heat or burn at the bottom of the pot.

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, beat high flavanol cocoa powder, cinnamon (if included) and a pinch of sea salt. This ensures that when the cocoa is added into the milk it does not form lumps all over the container.

Combine the Cocoa and Milk: After the milk has been heated and cooled slightly remove it from the heat source and then gradually stir in the dry ingredients. Stir constantly until the cocoa powder is well dissolved and the mixture is thick and smooth.

Sweeten and Flavor: Add the maple syrup or honey then the vanillary extract into the mixture and stir. I prefer my rice less sweet but if that is too sweet for your taste, reduce the amount of sugar added.

Simmer and Serve: The cocoa should be boiled gently and then allowed to cook for about 2-3 minutes until the flavours blend. To serve, heat through in a microwave and then pour the cocoa into the cup of your choice and serve immediately.

Ingredients Substitutes in high flavanol cocoa

If you have some special needs or simply are looking to try something new while making high flavanol cocoa, here are the list of ingredients that can be changed.

Dairy-Free Alternatives: If you are a lactose intolerance or a vegan, then there is nothing wrong with using almond milk or oat milk or coconut milk as a substitute for dairy milk. Adding the condiments to the coffee introduce a different touch; almond milk has the nutty feel of almonds, whereas oat milk gives the coffee creaminess.

Natural Sweeteners: In place of the maple syrup or honey you can use stevia or monk fruit sweetener so that although your cocoa is sweet it is not sweetened by sugar. None of these alternatives will affect the flavor too much which will also suit those on low sugar diets.

Spice It Up: To get an even more interesting taste you may add a pinch of cayenne pepper or cardamom in cocoa. Cayenne brings slight warmth to this beverage while cardamom imparts warm, spicy-sweet taste to it.

Cocoa Butter for Extra Creaminess: This was well done to balance the smoothness we wanted, however, you can try extra richness by incorporating 1 teaspoon of melted cocoa butter. It will enhance the texture and give the drink that real creamy feeling to it and at the same time not affected the taste or the flavor of the cocoa used.

Protein-Packed: To make your cocoa more filling for snack or after workout consumption, mix in 1 scoop of chocolate protein power. This will increase the protein content thus making the cocoa even more filling for individuals who consume it.

Expert Tips for the Perfect High Flavanol Cocoa

It has also been postulated that making the best high flavanol cocoa requires more than the ingredients. Here are some important guidelines to follow for making perfect cocoa which must be smooth creamy and well flavoured.

Use High-Quality Cocoa Powder:

To prepare the best high flavanol cocoa, it is recommended that one should use the right cocoa powder which contains high flavanols. Choose brands that state that their cocoa has high flavanols or consume raw cacao powder as they contain many non-altered compounds than the cocoa products.

Whisk for Smoothness:

Cocoa powder sometimes comes lumps hence the necessity to whisk the cocoa powder and the milk to ensure they are well combined. This will help in preventing formations of lumps after mixing the cocoa in the cream since the cocoa is added gradually while whisking.

Adjust Sweetness Gradually:

Some people love their food very sweet and others don’t; thus, use maple syrup or honey and gradually increase the quantity until you achieve the right level of sweetness. While, flavanol rich cocoa tends to be naturally bitter, it does not pose much difficulty if some level of sweetness is added to it.

Don’t Let the Milk Boil:

When pouring hot liquid on the grains do not allow the milk or the milk product to boil. Simmering may spoil the taste and texture of the milk as well as make your cocoa ‘grainy’. However, raise the heat to medium-low so that the milk heats up gradually in order not to form a scorching layer at the bottom of the pan.

Serve Immediately:

High flavanol cocoa must be served immediately to capture the best outcomes out of the preparation process. The bold and buttery taste of hazelnuts and bouquet cassis complement each other; it is recommended that this drink is served hot.

Flavanol Cocoa: What To Serve With It

High Flavanol Cocoa

Even though cocoa with high flavanol content is yummy when consumed as a drink, the combination between cocoa and some foods or candies enhances that drink. Here are some ideas on what to serve with your cocoa:

Dark Chocolate Squares

Indulge in your cocoa to the fullest by pouring it alongside a small piece of dark chocolate on the side. The rich bitter aftertaste of chocolate enhances the taste in the cocoa making the tea even more enjoyable as you sip the tea. If possible use chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa content to get maximum flavanols content of more than 70%.

Fresh Berries

Raspberry coulis, blueberry coulis, or strawberry coulis bring tartness into combination with the intensity of cocoa to balance the sweetness. The natural fruitiness is complementary to chocolate and sharp enough to yield a pleasing contrast to the richness of the milk.

Whole Wheat Toast with Nut Butter

Healthy and filling, you should have cocoa with whole wheat toast with almond or peanut butter in it. It is also sweetened by cocoa and has a nutty and slightly salty taste from the nut butter with a functional property of conveying whole grains fibers to make you full.

Almond Biscotti

To soak in the cocoa, offer almond biscotti, which is, in fact, crunchy. The biscotti is nice and nutty with a slightly sweet flavor and has hints of honey which is great for dipping and the crispy texture complements the rich cocoa.

Coconut Macaroons

If your desired craving is something as sweet and exotic as the flavanol cocoa that you have just consumed, then go for a few coconut macaroons. The batter is rather light, in fact, more similar to cookies and the topping of cocoa is rather smooth, while the presence of coconuts makes the taste even richer.

Final Thoughts

It is easy to make flavanol cocoa at home and this recipe offers you a tasty and effective way to consume cocoa that is full of antioxidants. The benefits include; With quality cocoa powder, which has high flavanols, you can prepare a warm, creamy drink, that will indeed help to satisfy your chocolate fix while at the same time being healthy for you.

Since there are many options of ingredients, you can always choose your cocoa high flavanol according to the tastes or diets. No matter if you have chosen dairy-free milk, you are sweetening it with maple syrup, or topping it with cinnamon, everything is possible.

Accompany the cocoa with fresh berries, dark chocolate or almond biscotti as these are some of the top options to go with the beverage. From the tips that have been provided here, and the perfect combination of flavors at the end, you will be able to become an expert on making highly flavanol cocoa. Therefore, take your preferred mug and enjoy your cup of this food that supports heart health and boosts mood today.