Hot Chocolate For This Holiday Season

These holidays we want you to prepare a delicious hot chocolate with Peruvian organic cacao. Without a doubt, you will have a unique and special evening when you stop using traditional chocolate bars or powdered chocolate. The cacao tree grows in the Peruvian Amazon. Traditionally used as a medicinal drink, cacao fruit is considered a natural stimulant with high levels of protein and antioxidants in the form of flavonoids. The cacao of "criollo" variety, known as “The King of Cacao”, is a product of scarce type that is valued for its high-quality grain with a fine aroma and flavor. Cacao is not just an ingredient but a superfood. This cacao is harvested in Satipo, a region in central Peru in the department of Junin. Small associated Ashaninka farmers from the Ene River ensure the quality of Ecoandino's cacao. The tropical climate of this region makes it the best place to harvest this variety. Furthermore, farmers harvest the crop under the organic production system.

In case you are on a strict diet, you can always replace some ingredients with healthier ones. Here we will give you some options.

INGREDIENTS FOR UP TO 10 CUPS:

• 3 whole cinnamon sticks

• 6 cloves

• 130 g of organic cacao paste from ECOANDINO

• 1 tbsp. grated orange peel

• 1 tbsp. rum

• 1 jar of traditional condensed milk or condensed coconut milk

• 2 tbsp. traditional brown sugar or panela from CAMPOS DE VIDA or ALGARROBOS ORGANICOS or 2 tsp. stevia powder (optional)

• 1 jar of evaporated milk of your choice (can be lactose-free or concentrated coconut milk)

PREPARATION:

1. Boil 1.5 l of water in a medium pot over medium heat and add cinnamon and cloves.

2. Grate the chocolate or finely chop into small pieces and place it in a heat-resistant container to add 2 cups of boiled water from the pot and stir until the chocolate is liquid.

3. Once the water is boiled, remove the cinnamon and cloves and turn to low heat.

4. Pour the liquid chocolate into the pot and stir.

5. Pour the tbsp. grated orange, tbsp. of rum and all the condensed milk.

6. Taste the flavor of the hot chocolate, in case it lacks sweeter, add brown sugar, panela, or stevia to taste.

7. Finally, turn off the pot and add the jar of evaporated milk and that's it, let's enjoy!

Sources: Ecoandino