Ready-made instant mixtures are often used to prepare a cocoa drink - but not everyone is satisfied with their taste and "imposed" sugar content in the drink. In the meantime, you can make delicious cocoa from cocoa powder yourself in just a few minutes. The main thing is to comply with the technology.
Classic recipe for cocoa with milk
In order to prepare cocoa from cocoa powder in milk according to the classic recipe, mix cocoa with sugar in a saucepan at the rate of 1-2 teaspoons of cocoa powder and 2 teaspoons of sugar for each serving. If cocoa is prepared for children, reduce the amount of powder - after all, cocoa, like coffee, has a rather strong stimulating effect on the nervous system. Therefore, a teaspoon of powder per serving will be sufficient. For adults, you can make the drink stronger and richer.
Mix the cocoa and sugar thoroughly, pour in a small amount of hot water (the consistency of the mixture should resemble sour cream) and rub thoroughly, breaking any lumps that arise. You should have a thick, shiny mixture of rich chocolate color.
Stirring continuously, pour hot milk into a saucepan, put on fire and bring cocoa to a boil.
Beat the finished drink for 15-20 seconds with a whisk - until foam forms. This will enhance the taste and aroma of the drink, in addition, will avoid the appearance of milk foam so unloved by many.
You can also avoid froth in another way - boil cocoa in water, then add warmed heavy cream to the finished drink (you can directly into the cup). In this case, the rich milky taste will remain - and the foam will not appear.
How to cook cocoa powder in water
Cocoa on water is prepared in almost the same way as cocoa on milk - the powder is mixed with sugar in the same proportions, poured with a small amount of hot water and ground to a homogeneous chocolate paste. After that, hot water is poured into the mixture with continuous stirring - and brought to a boil over low heat. After that, it is also recommended to beat the cocoa with a whisk until froth appears.
If desired, you can add milk or cream to the finished drink; you can serve it in the manner of iced coffee - by adding a ball of ice cream to a cup of cold or hot cocoa; can be garnished with whipped cream or caramel or chocolate syrup - the options are almost endless.
You can also diversify the taste of cocoa on water by adding spices to the drink - for example, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg or cloves. You can also boil cocoa with a small amount of red pepper.
Properties of cocoa: the harm and benefits of a flavored drink
Cocoa is a real storehouse of nutrients. Cocoa powder contains vegetable proteins, dietary fiber, saturated fatty acids, vitamins of group B, A, E, PP, beta-carotene, folic acid, fluorine, manganese, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and other minerals. At the same time, the content of carbohydrates and fats in a cup of cocoa drink is much lower than in a slice of chocolate - especially if you boil cocoa in water without cream and sugar.
Cocoa perfectly saturates and energizes. This drink has excellent antioxidant properties, it is good for the heart and blood vessels, helps to normalize metabolism, reduces the risk of stroke, diabetes, stomach ulcers. In addition, the use of cocoa stimulates the production of endorphins - hormones of happiness, so a cup of this aromatic drink drunk in the morning raises your mood and provides a burst of energy.
In addition, cocoa with milk is used in the treatment of colds and respiratory diseases - as an antitussive and expectorant agent. And a chilled drink, drunk after sports or hard physical work, helps to quickly "revive" tired muscles.
However, cocoa also has contraindications, and for some categories of people it is better to exclude this drink from the diet altogether. So, it is not recommended to drink cocoa:
- children under three years old;
- patients with diabetes mellitus;
- suffering from atherosclerosis;
- with diarrhea;
- with kidney disease.
Pregnant and lactating women should drink cocoa with caution: firstly, cocoa interferes with the absorption of calcium, and secondly, it can cause allergies.
Do not forget that cocoa contains caffeine - therefore, it is better to use a cocoa drink in the first half of the day, and for children - cook cocoa with milk no more than 2-3 times a week. In this case, it is better not to use ready-made instant mixtures, but to prepare cocoa from cocoa powder yourself - such a drink will be both healthier and tastier.
