How to Make Healthy Hot Cocoa Using Cocoa Powder

If you are a devoted hot cocoa drinker, or just trying a healthier than coffee morning drink, this will save you some money. Hot cocoa is a less calories alternative to hot chocolate. It is made with unsweetened cocoa powder and usually skim milk (or soy milk). One tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder contains about 20 calories. Hot chocolate on the other hand is made from ground chocolate which contains high in calories cocoa butter. But remember to buy a unsweetened dark cocoa powder instead of cocoa mix. It will have rich chocolate flavor to which you can add extra ingredients like ground cinnamon, nutmeg, peppermint, or vanilla.

Things You'll Need

• unsweetened dark cocoa powder
• milk or soy milk
• sugar (brown Turbinado)
• spices or marshmallows

Instructions

1. 

   Slow version:
   Heat the cocoa with water, and then add milk - this will bring out the chocolate flavor. I use 2/3 cup of water with 1/3 cup of milk per 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder. However, if you like more milk, you can make proportions 50-50. Then, add sugar, if you like your cocoa to be sweet (I use 1 tablespoon of brown Turbinado sugar) and mix with a spoon.

2. 

   Fast version:
   Bring water to boil. Pour it over on tablespoon of cocoa powder, so it fills up 2/3 of a cup. Now, you can add sugar, if you like your cocoa sweet. Fill 1/3 of a cup with cold milk (or soy milk) and mix with a spoon.

3. 

   Serve. For more fun, you can add a teaspoon of marshmallow to get that special, warm marshmallow taste towards the bottom of your cup!!

Tips & Warnings

• Hot cocoa goes well in the morning for a wake up or in the afternoon after coming back from work or school.

• Dutch-process and natural cocoa powders are different, so try both to see which one you like.

Resources

• Cup of cocoa may keep doctor away