As the world’s craft coffee culture expands, creamy, chocolatey mocha lattes are on nearly every cafe menu.  A mocha is simply a variation of a café latte that combines rich, comforting chocolate flavor with warm roasted coffee and creamy milk.  A coffee-lovers delight!

Now, we know that not all things are created equal.  Just like cacao and cocoa. The spelling isn’t the only difference.  They make look the same, but in terms of nutrition they are much different.  

Unless the mocha you order specifically uses raw cacao, odds are the chocolatey flavor of your craft mocha is coming from a chocolate syrup or cocoa powder blend.  Not exactly high in nutrient value. For instance, the ingredient list for a Caffé Mocha at Starbucks contains Mocha Sauce [Water, Sugar, Cocoa Processed With Alkali, Natural Flavor].  

To make cocoa, raw cacao is processed at high temperatures, which diminishes the overall nutritional benefits.  This is what you’re getting in most chocolate-flavored foods.

Raw cacao powder, on the other hand, isn’t heat processed so it retains its nutritional benefits and rich flavor while providing a natural mood-boost.  

While mochas are certainly a tasty treat when you’re out and about, there’s a much healthier way to enjoy a creamy mocha right in your own kitchen.  You can even save money making this at home.

Not to worry, the flavor is just as good, actually it’s better. And you can feel good about the ingredients!

Here’s a simple mocha recipe you can create at home, with a superfood boost from cacao powder.

Raw Cacao Mocha

1 serving

Ingredients

1 shot espresso*

½ Tbsp Raw Cacao Powder**

1 Tbsp Organic Raw Cane Sugar (or natural sweetener of choice)

1 cup (235 ml) unsweetened non-dairy milk

* Can substitute 1 cup strongly-brewed coffee, decaffeinated espresso, or decaffeinated coffee

** Start with ½ Tbsp and increase to desired taste up to 1 Tbsp.  

Method

In a coffee mug, mix together cacao powder and sugar.  Brew the espresso and pour into the coffee mug. Whisk ingredients together until smooth.  Add milk and stir gently to combine.

My go-to brand of cacao powder in Malaysia is Organicule. Anywhere else, look for raw cacao sourced from South America, such as Peru.