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.
Traditional chocolates are made by harvesting, fermenting, refining, roasting and grinding cocoa beans. Milk and sugar are then added for flavoring and the viscous liquid is stored for molding into smaller units in the desired shape. Going herbal requires a slight modification of this process, with some ingredients replaced by healthier options.
A large selection of herbs and naturally available ingredients can produce delicious chocolates with none of the excess calories or harmful additives. The simplest option is to mix honey with cocoa butter and some powdered cocoa. Flavoring may be added using mint, lavender, rose petals or cinnamon.
There's really no specific formula that has to be followed. The main ingredients included in most recipes are milk and dark chocolate. If sweetness is an essential requirement, then sugar can be replaced with honey as the third main item in the recipe.
The cocoa should be powdered in order to facilitate mixing and addition of just the right measure. The tried and tested combination that provides best results is a mix of three tablespoons of cocoa to go with three cups of milk and two spoons of honey. After this, the rest of the recipe can be whipped up by a process of experimentation to find a combination that matches preferences and tastes.
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.
These and other such recipes are nowhere near as ubiquitous and popular as ordinary chocolates from big brand manufacturers that have factories and distribution networks all over the world. But as the adverse impact of consuming huge amounts of sugar-filled chocolates becomes obvious, people are looking around for healthier alternatives to indulge their sweet tooth. If it's not immediately available in the market, just buy the ingredients required to whip up a batch of healthy herbal chocolate. It also makes for a great gift for family and friends during the holiday season, and for birthday parties and other celebrations too.
Traditional chocolates are made by harvesting, fermenting, refining, roasting and grinding cocoa beans. Milk and sugar are then added for flavoring and the viscous liquid is stored for molding into smaller units in the desired shape. Going herbal requires a slight modification of this process, with some ingredients replaced by healthier options.
A large selection of herbs and naturally available ingredients can produce delicious chocolates with none of the excess calories or harmful additives. The simplest option is to mix honey with cocoa butter and some powdered cocoa. Flavoring may be added using mint, lavender, rose petals or cinnamon.
There's really no specific formula that has to be followed. The main ingredients included in most recipes are milk and dark chocolate. If sweetness is an essential requirement, then sugar can be replaced with honey as the third main item in the recipe.
The cocoa should be powdered in order to facilitate mixing and addition of just the right measure. The tried and tested combination that provides best results is a mix of three tablespoons of cocoa to go with three cups of milk and two spoons of honey. After this, the rest of the recipe can be whipped up by a process of experimentation to find a combination that matches preferences and tastes.
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.
These and other such recipes are nowhere near as ubiquitous and popular as ordinary chocolates from big brand manufacturers that have factories and distribution networks all over the world. But as the adverse impact of consuming huge amounts of sugar-filled chocolates becomes obvious, people are looking around for healthier alternatives to indulge their sweet tooth. If it's not immediately available in the market, just buy the ingredients required to whip up a batch of healthy herbal chocolate. It also makes for a great gift for family and friends during the holiday season, and for birthday parties and other celebrations too.
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