Hot Chocolate Vs Hot Cocoa

Which is healthier, Hot Chocolate or Hot Cocoa ? Intriguing ,I assumed both were same.Investigating in to the ingredients,apparently the Hot cocoa made with cocoa powder is certainly more concentrated in antioxidants(called Flavonoids) than the Hot Chocolate made with melted chocolate.Although a hot chocolate can also be healthier if Dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa is used instead of sweet Milk chocolate.

The Mayans who discovered the cocoa ,consumed it with spices and no sugar,so next time you see cocoa or chocolate in a savory dish,you know its the original Mayan style to relish cocoa.The sweetened form of cocoa called the milk chocolate was later introduced by the Europeans which quickly became popular and addictive.
How important are the antioxidants for good health?,simply put ,antioxidants helps stay younger,heart healthy and protect against cancers.

So whether hot chocolate or hot cocoa try to incorporate more of the cocoa instead of the sweetness to get the most health benefits.
For Hot Cocoa
Ingredients
2 tablespoon Cocoa powder
2 cups of reduced fat Organic Milk
2 tablespoon sugar or 2 teaspoon honey or date syrup
1 cinnamon stick
2 tablespoon water.

Method
Mix the cocoa powder with water and keep aside.Bring milk to a slow boil along with the cinnamon stick and add the cocoa mixture and sugar in to the milk,stir well until nicely incorporated.Remove the cinnamon stick.Pour in the serving mugs.

For Hot Chocolate with Dark Chocolate
Ingredients
2 cups reduced fat Organic Milk
1/2 cup(about 4oz) good quality dark chocolate ,coarsely chopped

Method
Heat the milk with the chopped chocolate and stir occasionally until melted and smooth about 10 minutes on medium heat.Serve in latte cups and serve hot.

An Interesting Read
Antioxidant activity of Flavonoids affected by addition of milk to cocoa.

Snowed Under!
That's my Camry snowed under.Average snowfall a year is between 60-100 inches in the snow belt of North East Ohio,Cool!


Snow cones any one?

Icicles,feels like Arctic Wonderland.


Blessed to be sipping the mug of Hot cocoa to beat the nip in the air.