Saint Lucian Cocoa Tea (Spiced Hot Chocolate)
Local name: Cocoa tea
In short: Saint Lucian cocoa tea of grated cocoa simmered with cinnamon, bay leaf and nutmeg, finished with milk and sugar. A fragrant morning drink. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 190 kcal
Cocoa tea is the Saint Lucian morning drink: grated local cocoa simmered with cinnamon, bay leaf and nutmeg, then finished with milk and sugar. It is thinner than hot chocolate and more fragrant, and it is traditionally served with fried bakes or bread. The cocoa comes in sticks or balls made from roasted, ground beans. Strain it well, and serve it very hot.
Instructions
- Combine the grated cocoa, water, cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, nutmeg and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cocoa has dissolved and the liquid is dark and fragrant.
- Strain through a fine sieve into a clean pan, pressing on the solids.
- Add the milk and sugar and heat gently until steaming, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Do not boil.
- Stir in the vanilla, taste and add more sugar if needed. Pour into mugs and serve hot, with bakes or buttered bread.
Tips
- Look for cocoa sticks or balls in Caribbean markets. Unsweetened baking chocolate or tablets of pure ground cocoa are good substitutes.
- For a dairy-free cocoa tea, replace the milk with coconut milk or oat milk. Add the sugar slowly and taste, since coconut milk is richer.
Questions and answers
How is cocoa tea different from hot chocolate?
Cocoa tea is thinner and more aromatic, made from pure grated cocoa simmered in water with spices. Hot chocolate is usually made with milk and sweetened chocolate.
Can I make cocoa tea ahead?
Yes. Make the spiced cocoa base without milk up to 3 days ahead and keep it in the fridge. Reheat it, then add the milk and sugar.
What do you eat with cocoa tea?
In Saint Lucia it is a breakfast drink served with fried bakes, buttered bread or slices of cheese.
How long does it take to make Saint Lucian Cocoa Tea (Spiced Hot Chocolate)?
About 30 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Saint Lucian Cocoa Tea (Spiced Hot Chocolate)?
About 190 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 22 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 190 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Sodium | 70 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
