Living in Berkeley, San Francisco and New York City has granted me access to some of the best coffee in the United States. Stumptown, Blue Bottle, Birch, Philz… these are some of my favorites but that list is ever growing.
Coffee is amazingly complex with infinite variations in color, aroma, taste and mouth feel. In fact, coffee has more aromatic compounds than wine! The factors that influence its quality characteristics include where it was grown, the chemistry of the soil, rainfall and altitude, the processing of coffee beans, roasting and blending of different roasts and how the beverage was brewed. The combination of factors is so multifaceted that even from a single plantation, one will find variation in quality and taste.
Truthfully, I don’t add much to my coffee, in fact I usually enjoy it black in the mornings or with a dash of cream. Every now and then I will order a “fancy” coffee and that’s usually where the iced mocha comes in.
Coffee and chocolate paired together is a brilliant combination. The nutty, caramel taste of coffee paired with the rich chocolate flavor of cacao is something I covet in the summer heat. Of course, most iced mochas are quite sugar-laden so they are something to be enjoyed in moderation. I developed this healthier version to be enjoyed throughout the summer with my own personal spin of ingredients to elicit that chocolaty taste while lowering the sugar from refined sources.
Nutrition:
Cacao: Cacao is the unprocessed form of cocoa. Known for its antioxidant rich properties, it is a potent scavenger of damaging free radicals. One of those antioxidants is resveratrol, which is linked to longevity. Cacao has been shown to help reduce blood pressure through theobromine, which causes blood vessels to relax and widen.
Espresso: Espresso is known for its concentrated caffeine. Some effects of moderate caffeine consumption include increased attention and memory performance, increased physical performance and muscular recovery, as well as decreased risk of heart disease and liver disease.
- 1 shot espresso
- 1 tbsp cacao
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 4 ice cubes
- 1/4 c water
- 3/4 c milk
- 1 tbsp honey
- First add cacao powder, cinnamon, espresso shot and water to a glass and mix well.
- Add your 1 tbsp of honey (or sweetener or choice) and 3/4 cup of milk. Mix well.
- Add ice cubes and serve cold.
