The Health Benefits of Cacao Nibs as a Snack and Drink

Cacao Nibs are brokend own bits of cacao beans, which have been fermented and roasted to bring out the full flavour of one of nature's superfoods. They're typically added to protein shakes or smoothies, adding tons of antioxidants, but they can also be consumed as a snack food on their own or in trail mix.

The immediate pay-off from processed chocolate you buy in stores comes from it's high sugar content however - which provides an immediate mood boost until some of the more nutritious minerals and chemicals kick in. Real, unrefined cacao has a flavour of it's own - somewhat reminiscent of chocolate but more bitter than most expect on their first taste. Richer cacao beans such as the "Fine and Flavour" cacao at BuyCoffeeCanada.com will have a smoother taste than commodity-grade cacao typically found in a grocery store.

It's no secret that chocolate - dark chocolate - has health benefits, and these healthy attributes come from the Cacao bean itself.  Cacao is loaded with minerals like Magensium and Iron, is high in fiber and contains a number of different chemicals like Theobromine that have a positive effect on your health. Theobromine, like caffeine, has a mild stimulant effect, but tends to be absorbed by the body over 15-20 minutes as opposed to caffeine, which is closer than 5 minutes. Combined with the fact that it lasts 3-4 hours as opposed to 1-2 for caffeine, you get a steadier stream of energy and avoid that "afternoon crash" most of us are so familiar with.

Raw Cacao vs. Roasted Cacao
All the cacao beans are imported as "raw" beans, meaning they've gone through the picking and fermenting process - which gives the cacao it's chocolate flavour. While most beans are shipped overseas slowly in bulk containers, specialty importers like BuyCoffeeCanada have it air freighted so that the beans are as fresh as possible once they're received.

The roasting process is the optional next step - hardcore nutritionists insist on raw cacao beans, whereas most people are likely to enjoy roasted cacao beans because the roasting process brings out more flavour. Very little of the nutritional value is lost in the roasting process, and some insist on it in order to help kill off any bacteria that may still be present in the raw beans.

Most of the cacao nibs sold at BuyCoffeeCanada are roasted due to a more palatable taste.

Brewed Cacao
More recently, cacao powder has also become popular as a drink that is similar to coffee. It contains all the nutritients that regular cacao nibs or beans do, but in a beverage format. We're not talking about sugar-infused hot chocolate you find from a grocery store mind you - we're talking about the 100% cacao ground down to a fine powder that's brewed typically in a french press or espresso maker. You also get that little kick to jump start your day in the form of Theobromine, instead of caffeine. Anecdotally, we've been told it's a great way to get off the caffeine for a while and give your body a break from it, and could make you more sensitive to caffeine's stimulating effects after just two weeks.

We usually recommend people start by infusing their coffee with the cacao powder to become accustomed to the taste, which is entirely unique in itself. A straight cacao beverage doesn't taste like espresso or hot chocolate, and some people may be thrown off by it. Nevertheless, we've found most people develop a taste for it over time and take advantage of the numerous health benefits. For the true health-nuts, our cacao is organically grown according to organic practices, but does not yet have the certification to be officially labeled "Organic" by an agency - it's something being worked on at the moment.

Rooibos Red Espresso in Canada

Red Espresso is a Rooibos tea that has been formulated and ground to a consistency for use with Espresso Machines - it is "Espresso", but it isn't made from coffee. Unlike traditional coffee-bean espresso, this Red Espresso contains zero caffeine, making it ideal for a late afternoon or night time espresso or latte.

Latte? Yep. Everywhere that you can use a regular espresso, you can use Red Espresso. That includes lattes, cappuccinos, Macchiatos, Americanos and Iced drinks. The crema is present from the brewing process, giving you the full flavour of the drink.

What does it taste like? Well, generally sweeter than your typical espresso. There is still some of that earthy taste, but with more woodsy undertones. It tastes just like Rooibos tea because that's what it is - but at a much higher concentration. A standard shot will give you about 10x the anti-oxidants of a standard cup of Rooibos, and 10x the flavour.

There is a 1000g Red Espresso (1kg) package available for bulk purchases - coffee shops, restaurants and cafes in Canada (or someone who REALLY loves it), priced at about $47 per 1kg bag.

There's also a smaller, 125g Red Espresso bag available for those who are interested in trying out the premium tea-turned-espresso priced at just $8.00.

Preparing a shot of Red Espresso

1. Ensure your espresso machine is clean
2. Use a double filter basket
3. Fill your double basket with red espress^o (14g)
4. red espresso expands in hot water so do not overfill the basket!
5. There is no need to tamp
6. Express a double shot (60ml/2oz)

Red Espresso Cappuccino Recipe

• Prepare Red Espresso using instructions above
• Heat and foam milk
• Serve with honey and cinnamon
• May also add vanilla, caramel or cinnamon syrup

Espresso-Based Drinks

People possess enjoyed coffee for centuries as the perfect drink-hot, steamy, and the ultimate eye-opener that will help you begin your day, but in recent years, deluxe espresso drinks have become even popular. Some of the trendiest drinks are made with java, which is famous by the majority of coffee drinkers to become a high-octane chance of caffeine-a real jolt when you need it most, but not all drinks that contain espresso tend to be strictly with regard to coffee junkies. In truth, they could be enjoyed by almost anyone, and they are the ideal treat to either start your day, enjoy a quiet moment to yourself, or to talk about with a special someone on a chilly night.

For individuals who don't such as the jolt associated with straight-up java, they have other choices. Two of these drinks are incredibly popular within trendy coffee houses all over the country: the latte and also the cappuccino. The latte is simply one or two shots of the strong coffee combined with steamed milk along with a layer of steamed foam on the top. Some lattes are created with a level mixture of both. The cappuccino is similar to the latte, only there a great deal of foam in it instead associated with milk. When individuals want additional milk within their cappuccino as well as the espresso bottom, it is called a cappuccino moist, whereas 1 with steam is known as a dry cappuccino. Many people enjoy adding more milk to their latte to cut down on the powerful taste from the drink. Some baristas visit a wet cappuccino to be very similar.

For dark chocolate lovers, one handcrafted coffee drink that is very popular at a number of coffee houses all over the world is the mocha. This is the espresso drink for those with the sweet teeth, as it is made along with steamed milk, chocolate, and generally includes whipped cream and sometimes thin but delicious dark chocolate shavings to top this off. The chocolate cuts down the powerful taste of the bold coffee as the chocolate causes it to be sweet, creating an irresistible combination. There are also different flavors of mocha that are usually obtainable, such because peppermint or even vanilla. These drinks would be the perfect choice to have an after-supper treat, especially when the weather is actually cold. No matter which espresso drink you select, you will discover a wide variety of delicious flavors and mixes that are sure to thrill the coffee fanatic inside a person.

Find a selection of premium espressos in Canada, roasted fresh when you order at http://buycoffeecanada.com/espresso

Flavoured Coffee Syrup

There's many drinks out there, and coffee is probably the most popular drink of all. Even amongst coffee fans, there's a multitude of coffee types that people like to drink. Getting flavoured coffee is a good way to diversify, and get something that tastes better than your normal, traditional black coffee. Instead of the same taste you usually get, instead you get a different taste, based on the syrup you use. Flavoured coffee syrup is a great product to have in your kitchen, for that time you want to spice things up a bit.

Flavoured Coffee Syrup is typically made from corn and sugar cane. It also has fruits, which gives it the unique taste that it has. This can produce a very sweet taste, and goes at the opposite of what most coffees taste like, which can give a very interesting taste. Thanks to the syrup, you can get flavours of many different types, over a dozen in fact that are made to create just the flavour you want. Usually, you buy the flavour in a separate bottle, and add it yourself to the coffee. It doesn't matter what type of coffee you drink, you can add any flavour you want, simply by pouring it into the mug. The best way to do this is by preparing your coffee, using a coffee maker or another mean, as you normally would. Then, add the syrup by dropping it directly in the mug as it's still hot. The quantity is entirely up to you. There is no too little or too much, it depends how much of a flavour you want. It's simply up to the amount of flavour put in that will determine what the coffee tastes like.

There's flavours that are created all around the world. Some regions are known for their great flavours, because of access to fresh fruits that taste particularly strongly. This can help a region get up to speed economically by providing flavoured coffee syrup to the world. Because there's so many coffee drinkers out there, they quickly make a profit, and people flock from all around to taste their new flavours. It's an industry that's filled with many flavours, dozens of variants, and with many good and not so much brands. Like any extra ingredient, the whole drink will taste good or bad based on the quality you use. Some of the more exotic flavours provide an exceptional coffee, but it's hard to know that beforehand. Your best bet is to try it out, and see if you like it.

Overall, flavoured coffee syrup is something that isn't expensive to add to your normal coffee, and can make a huge difference based on taste. It's an acquired taste, something you may not want to miss once you've become accustomed to it, and can be a great way to spice up your day.