Is It Good to Put Cacao in Coffee?
Coffee lovers are always searching for new ways to enhance their favourite brew, and one trending addition is adding cacao! But is it good to mix these two ingredients? In this blog, we’ll explore the potential health benefits of adding cacao to coffee, answering “Is it good to put cacao in coffee?”, and why it might be the perfect addition to your morning routine.
- What is Cacao?
- Health Benefits of Cacao
- Can You Add Cacao to Coffee?
- Is it Good to Put Cacao in Coffee?
- Preparing Coffee and Cacao
- High-Quality Cacao Blends with Sweet Revolution
What is Cacao?
Cacao refers to the raw, unprocessed form of cocoa. Unlike cocoa, which is roasted and often mixed with sugar and milk, cacao is minimally processed to retain its natural nutrients. Coming from the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree, of which each tree produces around 2,500 beans, it is available in various forms, including cacao nibs, powder, or even whole beans.
Did you know that cacao has been used for thousands of years? Particularly in Central and South America, where ancient civilisations like the Mayans and Aztecs treated it as a sacred food. Today, it’s widely regarded as a superfood, thanks to its rich nutrient profile, which is full of antioxidants, magnesium, iron, and fibre.
Cacao’s deep, earthy flavour and slight bitterness make it a popular ingredient in smoothies, baking, and now, coffee!
Health Benefits of Cacao
There are many health benefits to cacao, making it a nourishing addition to your diet, whether you sprinkle it on porridge, have it as a cacao latte or add it to your coffee.
Rich in Antioxidants
Cacao is loaded with flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that helps combat oxidative stress in the body. These compounds protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, which can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and premature ageing.
Improves Heart Health
Studies show that the flavonoids in cacao can support heart health by improving blood flow, lowering blood pressure, and reducing inflammation. Cacao is also rich in magnesium, a mineral essential for maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.
Boosts Mood
Cacao contains compounds like theobromine and phenylethylamine, which can enhance mood and promote feelings of happiness. Theobromine is a natural stimulant similar to caffeine but milder, providing a gentle energy boost without the jitters or crashes associated with coffee.
Supports Brain Function
The flavonoids in cacao have also been linked to improved cognitive function. These compounds help increase blood flow to the brain, potentially enhancing memory, concentration, and overall mental performance. Cacao lattes can therefore be a great midday pick-me-up.
Provides Nutrients
In addition to magnesium, cacao is rich in other essential nutrients like iron, potassium, and calcium. It’s also a good source of dietary fibre, which supports digestive health.
Can You Add Cacao to Coffee?
Adding cacao to your coffee isn’t as crazy as it sounds and is actually very similar to a mocha, which is the addition of hot chocolate to a coffee or latte. The natural bitterness of cacao pairs well with coffee, enhancing its rich, earthy notes while adding a subtle chocolatey flavour that is hard to resist. A delicious and easy way to boost the flavour of a morning cup of coffee, adding cacao also improves its nutritional profile, creating a powerful drink that supports overall wellness.
Is it Good to Put Cacao in Coffee?
Yes! There are many benefits to combining coffee and cacao. Here’s why it is good to put cacao in coffee.
Enhanced Nutritional Value
Cacao brings a host of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to your coffee, not only improving the nutritional profile of your drink but also offering long-term health benefits, such as reduced inflammation and better cardiovascular health.
Balanced Energy Boost
Coffee provides a quick and sharp boost of energy due to its caffeine content, but this can sometimes lead to jitters or an energy crash. Theobromine in cacao offers a more sustained and gentle energy lift, balancing out the effects of caffeine and giving you smoother, longer-lasting energy throughout the day.
Improved Focus & Mood
Both coffee and cacao have mood-enhancing properties. Whilst caffeine helps increase alertness, the compounds in cacao, like phenylethylamine, can boost endorphin levels, creating a powerful combination to help improve focus, reduce stress, and give an overall sense of wellbeing.
Delicious Flavour
For those who love the idea of a mocha but want a healthier, less sweet version, cacao provides a subtle chocolate flavour without the added sugar or milk. It turns your coffee into a luxury experience while keeping it wholesome and nutritious.
Preparing Coffee and Cacao
We love to use our cacao latte blends to create a cacao coffee.
- Simply add 2 teaspoons of our Organic Cacao Latte Blend with a little hot water and mix together until smooth.
- Next, warm and froth up your milk of choice and pour into the cacao latte.
- Next, you can add your coffee, we love a single shot of espresso.
- Stir and enjoy!
Our cacao latte blend already contains a touch of organic raw crystallised coconut nectar, so there’s no need for added sweetener.
High-Quality Cacao Blends with Sweet Revolution
At Sweet Revolution, we believe in providing the best quality ingredients for your wellness journey. Our Organic Instant Blends for on-the-go and Organic Barista Blends for at-home only use the very best Criollo cacao from the rainforests of Peru and our Barista Blend has an added touch of Chaga mushroom powder for further added antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Our cacao blends are designed to complement coffee perfectly, offering a rich, smooth texture with just the right amount of natural chocolatey flavour. Whether you’re looking to add a small boost to your daily brew or transform your coffee into a superfood powerhouse, our cacao blends make it easy and delicious.
View our full range of wellness drinks by clicking here.