DIY Hot Chocolate Mix (easy, healthy + zero waste!)

Because sometimes you just need hot (or warm) chocolate… without the plastic-lined packets, hydrogenated vegetable oil, mono and di-glycerides, modified corn syrup solids, excess sugar and unnecessary waste.

The solution (as usual): buy in bulk and make your own.

Bonus: this way, you get to customize your ingredients, adjusting tastes and textures to your preference – all while reducing trash. For example, if you’re avoiding sugar, swap it out; if you like your cocoa with a kick, toss in some cayenne and cinnamon; if you don’t like chocolate… well, that’s just strange.

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS

Maca root powder – Maca root (also called Peruvian ginseng) is a root vegetable, high in protein, vitamin C, iron and copper. It has been shown to balance hormone levels and improve energy and mood. It has a nutty earthy flavour and can be found in its powdered form in most bulk food or health shops.

Turmeric – Turmeric is another powerful root vegetable, containing curcumin (a substance with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties). Turmeric is an intensely yellow-coloured powder (careful – it can stain some surfaces!) often found in curry dishes. It is best absorbed when combined with peperine (a bioenhancer found in white and black pepper). Turmeric can be found in its powdered form in most bulk food or health shops.

Cayenne pepper – Chili peppers, such as cayenne, contain natural anti-inflammatory compounds called capsaicinoids. Cayenne pepper is also used as a digestive aid and adds a fun kick to your hot cocoa, especially in combination with cinnamon (another spice with anti-inflammatory benefits).

DIY Zero waste, healthier hot chocolate mix

 

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Prep time

2 mins

Cook time

3 mins

Total time

5 mins

 

This basic cocoa mix can be spiced up with all kinds of optional add-ins or enjoyed plain as-is. It is not an overly sweet mix, so feel free to add more sweetness to your/your family's liking. These customized hot cocoa mixes also make nice gifts - just add ribbon, a label and instructions and you've got a delicious zero waste treat!

Recipe type: Beverages

Serves: 16 servings

Ingredients

• ½ cup cocoa (for me, the darker and richer, the better!)
• ¼ cup unrefined coconut sugar, or organic cane sugar (or skip the dry sweetener and add some maple or honey to sweeten when preparing your drink)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt
• 1 tsp maca root powder (optional)
• 1 tsp turmeric (optional)
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• ¼ tsp fine black or white pepper (optional)

Instructions

1. Measure out all ingredients into a jar (for the proportions above, use a 250 mL jar; or double the above quantities and use a 500 mL jar). That's it - your custom hot cocoa mix is ready to go!
2. To prepare hot cocoa, mix 1 Tbsp of cocoa mixture with ¾ cup - 1 cup liquid. I tend to mix ¼-1/2 cup hot water; then add (approximately ¼ cup) milk or alternative (I like almond milk) to cool. Note: I don't actually like my hot cocoa HOT, so I add the milk to 'cool' it somewhat; however, if you like it HOT, simply heat your milk 🙂 *If you skipped the dry sweetener above, you can add in some maple syrup or honey here to sweeten.

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Add desired bulk ingredients to a jar and shake. That’s it!

Just add hot water and choice of milk — a bit of Irish Cream is good too 😉