Now it’s time for something different. White cocoa! This is not made with white chocolate. That might be what some people would do but I like to control the quality of all my ingredients.

It’s very simple to make – you just have to find some organic, fair-trade cocoa butter. Fortunately, a trip to the health food store should be all that is needed. But it can also be ordered online.

What is fair trade? It’s a certification that ensures the fair treatment of those who grow and produce chocolate.

Unfortunately, the chocolate industry, along with coffee, tea, vanilla and sugar industries, are know for unfair labour practices towards. So, buying fair trade certified products is best.

This recipe is delicious and gives dark chocolate cocoa a run for its money. Some naysayers may suggest that this has less value because it doesn’t contain the polyphenols found in the cocoa solids of the cocoa bean – you know – the brown stuff.

But cocoa butter has benefits all on it own. One study found that mice fed a high-fat diet of coconut oil or cocoa butter had a 30% difference in gut bacteria diversity linked to inflammation indicating a potential benefit for those who suffer from inflammation in the gut such as those with Crohn’s disease.

Cocoa butter is also high in antioxidants which the gut likes, too.

What does cocoa butter taste like? It’s not bitter like unsweetened cocoa powder or chocolate but it kind of tastes like chocolate. It certainly smells like it.

Because the fat is not emulsified with lecithin as it is in chocolate – it will not incorporate into the milk by itself. I threw mixture into my Ninja blender and not only did it emulsify the mixture, it made it frothy. I added vanilla, maple syrup and nutmeg. It was delicious.

Here is the recipe:

1 cup full-fat organic milk or coconut milk (with fat)
1-2 tbsp cocoa butter pieces (this is hard to measure – 20 g or about 3/4 oz)
2 tbsp maple syrup
1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/8 tsp nutmeg

Put all the ingredients into a small saucepan and place on the stove. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Transfer to a mini-blender like a Ninja or Nutri-bullet and blend (or a regular blender can be used). Pour into a mug and serve.

Other days for the 7 Days of Cocoa

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7

Reference:

Case Western Reserve University. “High fat diet reduces gut bacteria, Crohn’s disease symptoms: Results could lead to new anti-inflammatory probiotics.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 22 June 2017.