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    Home » Recipes » Beverages and Cocktails

    Cacao Tea

    Willow Moon in front of bushes.
    Updated: Jul 3, 2024 · Published: Mar 10, 2018 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
    Jump to Recipe Pin Video

    Curl up with this healthy subtly chocolate Cacao Tea on a cold winter day. Add a pinch each of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a splash of almond milk, and you have a delightful chocolaty flavored tea to keep you warm.

    Cacao Tea in a mug with spoonful of cacao nibs in foreground.

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    If you are like me and have cacao nibs sitting in your pantry, then you can have Cacao Tea in minutes. I use them in smoothies, overnight oats, and in trail mix.

    Since cacao nibs have a bitter taste, I like to sprinkle them on a frozen banana and top it with pecans, coconut flakes, and frozen raspberries. Sometimes I also add a chocolate peanut butter sauce. The result is a balance of sweet, tart, bitter, and rich flavors.

    Cacao Tea has a subtle chocolate flavor, unlike rich Hot Chocolate or sweet Hot Cocoa. You can make it stronger by adding more cacao nibs or boiling the water for a longer period of time.

    Add a pinch each of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a splash of almond milk, and you have a delightful chocolaty flavored tea.

    It's laughable how many different kinds of tea that I have. I have actually been clearing out my tea stash, but at one time I probably had 30 different flavors.

    Jamaica (Hibiscus) tea is popular where I live. I happen to have a large bag of hibiscus flowers. If you have never had Hibiscus, it tastes a lot like cranberry juice.

    Since it is so tart, I like to combine it with something rich and sweet.

    Matcha green tea is another tea that I usually have stocked. Besides making it into a Matcha Latte, I add it to smoothies. I also have added it to some Matcha Banana Pancakes. It adds a very subtle green tea flavor.

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • Other Ways To Use Cacao Nibs
    • Other Warm Recipes
    • Other Hot Drinks
    • 🎥  Video
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ❤️ Why You'll Love It

    • It has a wonderful chocolate flavor.
    • It's made in minutes and you can customize it to your liking.
    • You can reuse the cacao nibs by adding them to a smoothie afterward.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Cacao tea ingredients on a cutting board with labels.
    • Cacao nibs: Add a chocolate flavor.
    • Cinnamon and nutmeg: Add a warm spice flavor.
    • Stevia (optional): Adds a little sugar-free sweetness. You could also use maple syrup, agave syrup, or your favorite sweetener.
    • Almond milk (optional): I used a splash of unsweetened almond milk because I like to control the amount of sweetener. You could use your favorite dairy-free milk or vegan creamer.
    • Water

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

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    🔪 Instructions

    Cacao nibs boiling in water.

    Step 1: Add water and cacao nibs to a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Boil for 5-10 minutes.

    Cacao nibs being strained into a fine mesh strainer.

    Step 2: Strain the cacao nibs. Pour the tea into a mug and add, cinnamon, nutmeg, stevia, and almond milk if desired.

    Cacao Tea with cacao nibs in the foreground.

    Other Ways To Use Cacao Nibs

    • In smoothies for a crunchy texture
    • On vegan ice cream for a contrasting flavor
    • On pancakes with nuts
    • Topped on oatmeal
    • In a trail mix
    • As a topping for vegan yogurt
    • In cookies or other baked goods
    • In a fruit salad
    • In many of the same places chocolate chips and nuts would be used

    Other Warm Recipes

    • 3 Ingredient Vegan Chili
    • Vegan Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa
    • Thai Curry Butternut Squash Soup
    • Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte
    Cacao Tea close up.

    Other Hot Drinks

    • Vegan Hot Chocolate in a mug with dark chocolate chunks in the background.
      Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
    • Maca Latte
      Maca Latte
    • Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate
      Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate
    • Turmeric Latte
      Vegan Turmeric Latte

    🎥  Video

    If you tried this Cacao Tea Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    If you like chocolate tea, I think that you will love this Cacao Tea!

    📋 Recipe

    Cacao Tea
    Pin Print
    5 from 5 votes

    Cacao Tea

    Curl up with this healthy subtly chocolate Cacao Tea on a cold winter day. Add a pinch each of cinnamon and nutmeg, and a splash of almond milk, and you have a delightful chocolaty flavored tea to keep you warm.
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Cook Time 12 minutes minutes
    Total Time 12 minutes minutes
    Servings 1
    Calories 40kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1-2 tablespoons cacao nibs depending on how strong you like your tea
    • 2 cups water
    • Pinch of cinnamon
    • Pinch of nutmeg
    • Splash of unsweetened almond milk optional
    • A few drops stevia optional
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Boil the water. Add cacao nibs and boil for 5-10 minutes (I boiled mine the full 10 minutes and used 2 tablespoons cacao nibs). Strain the nibs*.
    • Add cinnamon, nutmeg, almond milk, and stevia, if desired.

    Notes

    Don't throw out the cacao nibs - they can be added to a smoothie.
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    Nutrition

    Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 25mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Calcium: 15mg

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    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jamie says

      March 13, 2018 at 2:21 pm

      Being raised on sweet tea, made by the pitcher, with a cup and a half of sugar I’ve never been keen on hot tea. I haven’t tried many different kinds so, I’m sure there is something out there I’d like. You said chocolate tea and it has peaked my interest. I’ll pin this!!! It sounds delicious!

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        March 14, 2018 at 2:26 pm

        If you like chocolate, this may be the hot tea that you'll like!

        Reply
    2. Sondra Barker says

      March 13, 2018 at 10:25 am

      I love all kinds of tea. I have never tried a chocolate variation like this but it seems very interesting.

      Reply
    3. Kim says

      March 13, 2018 at 2:44 am

      I have not had chocolate in tea. I have had chocolate tea growing up in Jamaica and it was rich and so decadent. I also enjoy many kinds of tea and like stocking a variety. Hibiscus is a favourite of mine because its tartness. I know cacao nibs are good on top of many treats and in smoothies. Thanks for sharing how to try it out with tea.

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        March 14, 2018 at 2:16 pm

        I would love to try the chocolate tea from Jamaica. I have heard good things about it!

        Reply
    4. Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says

      March 12, 2018 at 11:10 pm

      This sounds so yummy. Perfect for chilly weather.

      Reply
    5. Bryant at Preppy Guy Guide says

      March 12, 2018 at 8:15 pm

      I have never heard of cacao tea, but it sounds really good. I am going to have to try this.

      Reply
    6. Elise Ho says

      March 12, 2018 at 8:03 pm

      This is such an interesting idea. I do not know why I never thought of it.

      Reply
    7. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

      March 12, 2018 at 7:44 pm

      This is such a great idea!! I have sooo many tea flavors in my pantry, they're overflowing. I've never tried chocolate-flavored tea, but will definitely try your recipe.

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        March 14, 2018 at 2:15 pm

        You sound like me. My tea stash is overflowing too!

        Reply
    8. Leah says

      March 12, 2018 at 3:28 pm

      This tea sounds just delightful. I adore a great cup of tea, and a chocolate version? Sign me up!

      Reply
    9. Annie says

      March 12, 2018 at 1:32 pm

      I've had cacao nibs on smoothies before, but never as a tea. What a great idea! I can't wait to try!
      xoxo
      Annie

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        March 14, 2018 at 2:14 pm

        Thanks Annie!

        Reply
    10. Madison Pollard says

      March 12, 2018 at 7:47 am

      Wow I never would have thought to make a tea like this - love it! Can't wait to try!

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        March 14, 2018 at 2:11 pm

        I hope that you like it!

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

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