Cacao husk tea is made from the fibrous outer shells of cacao beans, and when these husks are steeped in water, they created a tisane that tastes very similar to chocolate. Aside from the health benefits the tea is believed to have, cacao husk tea is also environmentally friendly.
Cacao husks have historically been considered a by-product of other food products, but by using it as the main ingredient in tea, it becomes a sustainable and waste-reducing high-quality product.
Lucky for us, cacao tea is being blended and locally produced in Australia by the tea-makers at Husk Mill, Cherylea Browne and Elaine Downey.
“Think of cacao husk tea as a rich, dark hot chocolate with no sugar, no dairy, no gluten and almost no calories. Out of all the ways to taste chocolate, drinking cacao husk tea is easily the healthiest,” says Husk Mill co-founder, Elaina Downey. “The pure cacao husk tea is naturally quite dark, so if you’re a sweet tooth, we recommend adding a splash of milk of your choice and some coconut sugar.”
According to the tea-makers, cacao husk tea has a number of health and wellbeing benefits.
1. Rich in nutrients
As a cacao bean by-product, the husks contain similar nutrients to the beans, such as B vitamins, vitamin A, iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium.
2. Great for diabetics
Cacao husk tea contains no sugar or additives, and will not affect blood sugar levels.
3. Packed with antioxidants
Cacao husk tea is full of antioxidants, which are thought to reduce damage caused by free radicals and inflammation.
4. It can boost your mood
Cacao husk tea contains theobromine, which is a naturally occurring compound found in cacao plants and tea leaves. It’s a slow release stimulant that provides a gentle pick-me-up without the harsh crash you get from caffeine
5. Low in calories
As cacao husk tea is free from sugar, gluten and additives, it’s naturally low in calories.
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Health benefits of tea and how to drink it
10 teas and infusions that will keep you healthy
6 reasons why you should be brewing loose leaf tea
Want to know how to make a green tea smoothie with blueberries and banana? Watch the video below.
