Vegan Mofo 2019 Day #3: Sweet Cocoa Tea (Hot & Cold)

For my third Vegan Mofo post, I remember visiting Grenada last year, drinking continuous cups of cocoa tea (also known as cacao tea) at the House of Chocolate-- a museum, cafe, and shop. Cocoa tea is a beverage of choice for several Caribbean countries including Grenada and St. Lucia. It is usually pure cacao husk blended with bay leaf and spices and formed into a ball or stick form. Like traditional tea, it is meant to be activated in hot water and sweetened however way one wants it.

At the House of Chocolate in Grenada last May with cocoa tea and cane sugar.

You can purchase cocoa tea/cacao tea from various places online. The Grenada Market in Brooklyn sells Spice Caribbean Cocoa Balls and kkao (currently sold out of their teas) features cacao teas from all over the world.
The taste is an amazingly delicious hot cocoa meets tea, rich and flavorful.

Cocoa Tea Ingredients and Preparation

2 cup water
1 cocoa tea ball or cocoa stick
2 cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup almond milk (or any dairy free alternative)
1/4 cup cane sugar (or maple syrup)

Place cocoa tea ball or stick into the water with cinnamon sticks, stirring until the ball dissolves.
Add almond milk and cane sugar.

*To have cold, follow all instructions, then pour cocoa tea into pitcher, and keep refrigerated for four hours. Add ice cubes for additional chill.