Have Your Herbal Chocolate And Eat It Too

By Angel Dudley


There's a very good reason why more and more people are scoffing down herbal chocolate. Every ounce of ordinary dark chocolate contains 155 calories, and is filled with sugar, preservatives and additives such as artificial flavors. Switching to healthier recipes allows people to indulge in their sweet tooth without packing on the pounds and putting their health at risk through obesity.

The traditional method for making chocolates begins with a harvest of cocoa beans, which is then refined and fermented. The beans are then roasted and ground, and then converted into a viscous sweet liquid by adding sugar and milk. This batch is then stored and cut into smaller pieces. Making this an herbal product is quite simple, and just needs some of the ingredients to be replaced with healthier alternatives.

There are any number of herbs and natural ingredients that can be combined to produce chocolates that are just as heavenly, but without the excess calories and harmful contents. For instance, it's possible to make guilt-free healthy chocolates using cocoa butter and cocoa powder with honey. The recipe can be further improved by using natural ingredients such as lavender, cinnamon, rose petals and mint.

It doesn't have to be a specific recipe. The core items are milk and dark chocolate. Those who need it to be sweet can replace sugar with honey, which then serves as the third key ingredient.

The cocoa should preferably be in powdered form, so that it can be easily and precisely added in just the right measure in combination with the rest of the items in the recipe. For optimum results, add two tablespoons of honey and three cups of milk for every three spoons of cocoa. The rest is just a matter of experimentation to get the right balance of flavor and health benefits.

It's possible to create chocolates with a vanilla flavor simply by adding two spoons of organic and gluten-free vanilla extract. Those who favor a minty edge to their concoction just need to throw in a few drops of peppermint oil. This is an organic and highly concentrated form of mint, and excessive use will overpower all other flavors and tastes.

There is another possible recipe for those who want to completely avoid the carbohydrates and calories of a sweet concoction. This one replaces honey and milk with coconut oil and stevia. Add finely chopped mint leaves for natural flavoring. The cocoa powder and the rest of the ingredients must be added to heated and liquid coconut oil so that it mixes properly.

It's well-nigh impossible for such recipes to compete with global brands and their large factories and thousands of distributors. Even so, people manage to locate providers offering herbal alternatives that satisfy gastronomic urges without risking their health. It's always possible to cook up a batch at home. Herbal chocolate is not only good for the whole family, but is also the perfect holiday season gift. It is also the healthy option for kids who consume huge amounts of chocolates at birthday parties and other such celebrations.




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