What is Cacao Tea?
Cacao tea is a 100% plant based natural drink made from cacao husks, outer shell of the cacao bean. If you’ve never heard of cacao tea before this might seem a little strange at first. But as the popularity of cacao drinks grows, it seems that more and more people are trying different versions of this healthy beverage.
Cacao is the main ingredient in cacao tea. Chocolate and other koko products come from cacao beans which are pressed to make cacao liquor. Cacao liquor can then be processed into a variety of chocolate products. The remaining husks of the cocoa bean are often discarded, or used as animal feed or fertilizer. This is where the value of the husks comes to light – they provide a rich and natural source of nutrients that can be turned into a range of different products, such as cacao tea.
Cacao is a crop that is traditionally used to make Koko Samoa. It requires much of the same growing conditions and cultivation as coffee, and is often grown in the same regions where coffee production thrives. After the cacao fruit is processed into Koko Samoa or chocolate, the shells are typically discarded.
So, why would anyone want to drink cacao tea made from discarded cacao husks? Simple - it tastes like hot chocolate with zero guilt!
The Quickest Cacao Husk Tea Recipe Ever
The Koko Samoa cacao tea is a light cacao and cacao flavour, with subtle notes of caramel and vanilla that make it reminiscent of hot cocoa. The cacao tea has a smooth, earthy finish that is similar to a chai tea. Just add it to boiling water, steep for 4 minutes, and you're done! Want to know more about this amazing tea? Keep reading.
What Are Cacao Husks?
Cacao husks which are like the 'tea leaves' in the cacao tea are naturally high in magnesium, fibre and flavanols. They are also relatively high in natural caffeine content, which makes them naturally stimulating. So, in addition to being delicious, cacao husk tea provides you with all of the health benefits of consuming cacao beans.
When the outer shell of the cacao bean (husks) are removed after drying, they can be steeped in hot water to produce a tisane (cacao tea) that smells just like chocolate. Once the nibs are separated from the husks, which is part of our zero waste ethos, they are ready to be used.
Made in Samoa from 100% Organic Samoan Cacao - Our family's small business is grows cacao and also purchases from neighbouring farms. The Koko Samoa cacao husks are made using classic Pacific Island traditions to ensure the truest, most authentic flavour.
What Does Cacao Tea taste like?
It is very similar to the taste and aroma of dark chocolate. Cacao is a complex bean that is full of personality. The cacao plant, native to South and Central America, was originally cultivated for its seeds, which are a nutritional powerhouse and an incredible superfood. In addition to containing essential vitamins and minerals, cacao is rich in antioxidants – an important factor in maintaining health and longevity. Yet as the popularity of chocolate has grown over the years, cacao has been somewhat overlooked.
What is Cacao Tea good for?
Unlike conventional tea leaves, which are derived from the Camellia sinensis plant and are high in caffeine, cacao tea comes from the seed of the cacao plant (that’s the one used to make chocolate!).
Cacao tea can be enjoyed hot or cold and is perfect for the summer months. Made from the raw cacao bean, cacao tea is a delicious hot beverage packed with antioxidants, minerals, and fiber. The mild, sweet flavor of cacao tea makes it a refreshing option for tea or coffee drinkers and is a welcome alternative to sugary sodas and energy drinks.
If you’re looking for a guilt-free healthy drink, cacao tea can be an enjoyable treat – with or without milk. Cacao tea is a great source of energy and works wonders as an instant mood booster. These antioxidant-rich benefits of cacao tea make it an ideal alternative to coffee and other caffeinated drinks.
Cacao tea is an investment in your health that delivers more antioxidants than green tea, improves cardiovascular function, reduces blood pressure, maintains normal body weight, supports digestion and even stimulates brain function.
Cacao tea also has a wide variety of other health benefits, making it even more desirable to consume. It contains Polyphenol, an antioxidant found in green tea that increases brain function and can help protect against certain cancers, as well as lowering the risk of heart disease by thinning blood and fighting LDL cholesterol. Cacao is rich in magnesium that provides a great natural energy boost and is also known for boosting memory and supporting heart health. Magnesium is also responsible for normal energy-producing metabolism, regulates fluid balance, promotes protein synthesis and helps maintain a strong immune system. It's also high in iron content, which is important for carrying oxygen throughout your body. Cacao tea is also rich in calcium, which strengthens bones and teeth while promoting healthy muscle contraction. Calcium is essential to the development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones (especially when paired with vitamin D).
Cacao tea is a delicious, low calorie beverage that can be enjoyed anytime of day.
Traditionally Grown and Harvested with Love
We at The Koko Samoa work hard to do good. We choose to buy from local Samoan farmers instead of importing from other countries. And we choose to source organic ingredients whenever possible. We try to minimize our carbon footprint and are committed to protecting the environment. We believe in building meaningful relationships with each other and within our communities.
Our cacao tea is 100% pure and organic and is completely naturally caffeine-free, gluten-free, dairy-free and GMO-free with no artificial flavouring, additives or preservatives.
Our cacao tea is totally unique in the marketplace because it is made from loose-leaf cacao husks (also known as cacao shells) which surround the cacao bean. Our cacao tea is 100% natural and comprised of the highest quality ethically-sourced cacao husks which have been traditionally grown on plantations in Samoa.