Coffee is a staple in our daily routine. It never fails to jumpstart our day. Sometimes we long for the kick it gives as we get up in the morning. Other times we might want a pick-me-up. And in another moment we might be eager for the enticing flavor and aroma.
Aside from the little pleasures we get from drinking coffee–just like chocolate–it actually offers several health benefits such as fighting free radicals that can cause cancer. This is because coffee is known to contain a significant amount of antioxidants, even more than green tea does.
Almond extract doesn’t offer a lot of nutritional values, but let me shine some light about almonds anyway. Almonds pack a lot of nutritional benefits. Not only do they taste good, but almonds are considered as one of the healthiest nuts. It is a good source of protein and essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E and calcium and magnesium. Plus, almonds are loaded with compounds called phytochemicals that protect against cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. No wonder a lot of people go nuts with almonds! (pun intended)
Combine the flavors of coffee, almond, and chocolate in one drink and you’re in for a treat!
Blend together the nutmeg and coffee. Add extracts. Blend 10 seconds longer. Place in bowl and stir in almonds. Store in refrigerator or use right away.
To brew: Place mix in filter of an automatic drip coffee maker. Add 6 cups water and brew.
If you’ve known me for a while you might know that I enjoy a good cup of coffee. While it’s not chocolate, it’s still a flavor I look forward to.
Well, that all might change a bit. I just learned about Crio Bru. It’s a drink that is brewed like coffee, but it is made of 100% cocoa beans. Like coffee, the beans are roasted and ground. You put the grounds in your coffee maker.
And, according to a press release I read, “Crio Bru delivers the same intense, complex flavors of the finest cocoa beans found in artisan dark chocolate.”
That sounds really interesting, as well as healthy and delicious!
Crio Bru currently offers three varieties, each with a unique, but completely natural taste coming from the choice of cocoa beans used.
Here’s a quick overview of each variety:
Cavalla – These cocoa beans come from the Ivory Coast and impart hints of dark spice, coconut, and cinnamon.
Coca River – These beans come from Ecuador and you may pick out notes of green banana, blackberries, and jasmine.
Vega Real – These beans from the Dominican Republic offer hints of red berries and dark spice.
Of course being an all-natural — no ingredients added – product of cacao, this brewed cocoa offers the high level of antioxidants that you’d find in a good dark chocolate. It’s heart healthy and low-calorie. And, though the beans contain caffeine, it’s much lower than the dose of a cup of coffee.
Speaking of antioxidants, the Crio Bru website says that, “Even after it has been roasted and brewed, Crio Bru has 150% more antioxidants than pure pomegranate juice.” Since I’m big into the nutritional benefits of chocolate, I find this rather exciting.
Now I just have to look forward to getting my hands on some of this so that I can do a proper review! If you want to do the same, click the banner below…
Imagine you dreamed of making a beverage that is packed with antioxidants, containing enough polyphenols to lower your risk of heart disease and cancer, while simultaneously detoxifying your body and boosting your immune system…
Wouldn’t your new creation be the wonder drink of the ages?
Nope… it already exists! In fact, you have three to choose from.
Beverages such as tea, coffee, and low fat chocolate milk can make positive contributions to your nutrition and health.
There is plenty of research that supports tea as not only strengthening the body’s immune system, but also reducing plaque buildup on arterial walls, thus lowering the risk of cardiac disease. Tea is rich in antioxidants, often containing more polyphenols than fruits and vegetables.
Antioxidants help repair cell damage due to stress and aging.
Coffee is similar to tea in that it, too, is loaded with polyphenols. Research shows that coffee actually has higher amounts of antioxidants than green or black tea and some fruit and vegetables juices. Consuming coffee can lower your risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. New research is looking into the possible positive effects on dealing with neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
What about the chocolate? Studies find that chocolate milk helps the body recover from exercise quickly. It also increases bone density and muscle mass. And it’s also been shown that chocolate milk can help contribute to weight loss! (Remember we’re talking about low fat chocolate milk.)
Now that you know more about the nutritional contributions of tea, coffee, and chocolate milk, I hope you enjoy them more. They can all be part of your healthy lifestyle!
I suppose using a brownie mix is cheating, but sometimes you need a delicious tasting recipe that is also fast and easy.
Cappuccino Cupcakes
• Brownie mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup of water
• 1/3 cup cooking oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons instant coffee
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Whipped topping
Preheat oven to 350°. Place foil cupcake liners (large or small) on a cookie sheet. Combine all ingredients except whipped topping. Fill small liners with 1 tablespoon of filling. Fill large liners with 1/4 cup of mix.
Bake small cupcakes 12-15 minutes. If you chose the larger option, bake for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
Cool completely. Garnish with a dollop of whip cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon before serving.
Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Fitr, a three-day feast that marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Special foods are prepared and eaten during Eid. Some of those dishes are prepared days before Eid because it takes so long to prepare and cook them.
It’s interesting that chocolate has become a recent tradition to help celebrate Eid. The younger generation prefers the chocolate over some of the more tradional sweets.
As a result some chocolate shops may experience the highest sales orders of the year at the beginning of Ramadan.
In the Muslim home, guests are often served Arabic coffee (sometimes called Turkish style coffee) with an assortment of chocolates. If it’s anything like the Turkish coffees I’ve had then a dark chocolate would make a great pairing with great compatibility of flavor notes.
North Star Fine Coffees is introducing a new coffee that is designed for students of Chocolate University Online and chocolate lovers with a keen sense of taste.
“Simply Decadent” is not a chocolate flavored coffee, but rather is a coffee designed to pair well with chocolates and chocolate desserts.
I have tried Simply Decadent with dark chocolate and it’s amazing. I have also had it with a variety of chocolate desserts (the chocolate cheesecake was amazing) and breakfast items (like pancakes with chocolate chips) and it’s been fantastic!
Here’s the good news… Chocolate University Online has negotiated a deal to give you a sneak peak of this coffee, for no cost, with special arrangement from North Star Fine Coffees.
To get your free sample (enough to make 10 cups) of this premium grade 1 coffee, click the link above. Then look for the “tell us your coffee story” button on the right side. Click it. Provide your shipping information and a story about coffee.
Important: So that you get a sample of the right coffee, type in “P.S. send me Simply Decadent.”
You’ll get great coffee even if you miss this step, but if you want to be among the first to try a great new premium coffee at no cost, make sure you put in the P.S. That’s how they will know to deliver the right coffee to you.
And there is truly no cost, not even a shipping charge. We want you to be able to try this coffee because once you do, you’ll be hooked! (Sorry, this offer is only valid for U.S. delivery.)
If you’re already a Chocolate University Online student go ahead and pair your favorite chocolate from lesson 10 with Simply Decadent. I’d be curious about your experience.
If you are not a Chocolate University Online student then consider joining us. You’ll develop your own chocolate tasting profile and learn how to pair chocolate with food and wine, and coffee too.
I suspect this is the World Premier of the very first coffee bar. You get the bar in several different coffee single origin varieties: Guatemalan, Costa Rican, Brazilian, and Zambian.
Only $5 per bar to experience, uh, KA-POW! I wonder how much caffeine is in this thing?
I’m guessing students who pull an all-nighter for their semester exams will cherish one of these in their care packages from home.
I was recently introduced to of Seattle Reign a coffee from North Star Fine Coffees. This morning I sipped a delicious brew of the coffee and quietly ate my chocolate donut, trying to get some work done.
At one point I was rolling the two around my mouth at the same time, coffee and chocolate, chocolate and coffee… Then I experienced a new flavor emerge as I swallowed.
This got me thinking about chocolate and coffee pairings!
I grabbed the first chocolate I could find in my drawer (we all have a secret stash of chocolate nearby, right?) and pulled out a mostly Ecuadorian blend of 73% cacao dark chocolate. I let my coffee cool down just a bit so that I could better taste its subtle flavors.
First, I enjoyed the aroma of the chocolate, identified some familiar flavors and then took a bite. I allowed the chocolate to coat my mouth and took in the smooth texture.
As the chocolate melted, the flavors really exploded. Ecuadorian chocolate has one of my favorite flavor profiles. It is fruity, with a hint of nut, and the finish is intensely chocolate and astringent on the tongue.
Next, I smelled the coffee and identified as many flavors as I could just before taking a sip. Seattle Reign is a gem of a coffee with rich flavors of roasted chocolate, mixed with mild earthy and nutty notes.
The chocolate and coffee blended very well and introduced me to a new level of flavor complexity. I really enjoyed this pairing.
Since I am not as familiar with the flavor profiles of coffees as I am with chocolates, I will need to do some more research and some more pairings. That means spending more mornings drinking coffee and eating chocolate.
Recently Bryn wrote a post about experiencing fine chocolate. I’m wondering what other fine foods and/or drinks you might enjoy?
People who have a strong love for chocolate often enjoy other fine foods and beverages as well. Perhaps you like drinks such as coffee, wine, or scotch.
Are you picky about your morning cup of coffee? Do you want a gourmet blend with exquisite flavor? Or will any dark-brown sludge do as long as its got caffeine?
Do you like a fine French Bordeaux wine or do you pick up the $2.95 bottle of “Red?”
How about a Single Malt Scotch from Islay or do you say, “scotch, whiskey, vodka, what’s the difference?”
You might also enjoy fine flavorful foods like cheese. Or you might enjoy certain combinations. Of course cheeses and wines often pair well. Chocolate and wine pair well. Chocolate and coffee pair well. Perhaps chocolate and scotch pair well too. (Hmm, I might have to try this.)
Anyway, this brings me back to the question… As a lover of chocolate what other fine food or drink interests you? Whether it’s one I mentioned above, or something I forgot about, please give me your thoughts.
Sahagun Handmade Chocolates
I was recently introduced to of 
