Cocoa tea is a well-known and well-loved local food in St. Lucia that has been passed down from Generation to Generation. There is a vast wealth of health benefits to drinking this delicious tea, which is not a tea at all—or not like a tea as we know it.
St. Lucia cocoa tea is like a cross between tea, coffee, and hot chocolate – more of a hot chocolate than the others.
St Lucia’s version of cocoa tea is very yummy, good for you, and comforting. If you have ever tasted this delicious drink, you will no doubt want to know how to make it home. So read on for the simple and easy recipe:
St Lucia Cocoa Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups of water
1/2 cup grated cocoa stick (you must visit the island to get one!)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup of milk
Sugar to taste
(These are the essential ingredients – some add cardamom, fennel, nutmeg, lime zest, and even bay leaves. You will find your perfect blend as you continue to make cocoa tea at home and experiment with various commonly used ingredients.)
Method:
Add the water, grated cocoa, cinnamon, and vanilla to a pot and boil. Allow it to simmer for a few minutes, then add the milk, remove from the heat, and stir. If you are using sugar, add it at this point, strain through a sieve to remove any excess particles from the spices, then serve and enjoy.
Cocoa Tea Health Benefits
If you are reading this, then chances are you have already experienced the delights of cocoa tea. But I bet you didn’t know there are health benefits to drinking this delicious mix. It tastes even better when you hear that it is also suitable for you!
1. It Contains Antioxidants
Hot cocoa contains many, many antioxidants—more than twice the concentration in red wine and two or three times stronger than green tea.
2. Can Help with Treatment
The components of cocoa can be used to help treat internal hemorrhages, kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. St Lucia cocoa tea contains far less sugar than commercial hot chocolate.
3. It’s Low Fat
Cocoa contains very little fat. Although we have recently realized that some fat in our diets is good, we don’t want to overdo it. Cocoa packs a delicious flavor punch without any excess fat.
4. It Contains Flavonoids
Flavonoids found in cocoa can help prevent blood clots by preventing platelets in the blood from mingling together. These flavonoids can also help increase brain capacity (no, really!) Flavanoids increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain, which can reduce the risk of dementia.
So there you have it! Not only is St Lucia’s cocoa tea a delicious, hearty drink, but it’s also very good for you. So, if you’re visiting St. Lucia and you have never had it, be sure to request it at your accommodation or when you visit one of St. Lucia’s local restaurants.
Kate is a co-founder and author of IslanderKeys. She is a loving wife and mother who enjoys taking care of her family. Kate is a customer service expert and healthcare administrator by profession. She loves to cook, shop online and share her knowledge about St. Lucia online and, when she meets people on her travels locally and abroad.
