J Gordon

Jun 27, 20202 min read

J's Jamaican Chocolate Tea

By: J Gordon

June 27, 2020

My take on Jamaican Ital Chocolate tea. A drink for the mind, body and soul.

This Recipe was first inspired by my Dad. He sent me a vlog about visiting a Rastafarian community in Jamaica. My Dad was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and we try to go back whenever possible. This video made me miss Jamaica very much. It also made me crave chocolate tea. So, I decided to go back to my roots and create my own take on Jamaican chocolate tea.

Rastafarian food is called "Ital," food. The term ITAL comes from the word vital. The "I" in the Rastafarian vocabulary signifies the speakers unity with nature. As a vegetarian - who tries her hand at being vegan - Ital food is perfect for me. Ital food is entirely plant based. In Rastafarian communities it is made with their own home grown ingredients!

Many ingredients in ITAL food have healing properties. Luckily for us, chocolate tea is no exception. Not only is it the best hot chocolate you've ever tried, it's actually good for you too. Cocoa has high levels of antioxidants (cancer fighting and anti-aging). Cocoa also has many bio-minerals that prevent heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes. To top it off Cocoa is also an aphrodisiac! It is truly a drink for your mind, body and soul.

This recipe is simple. All you need is some cocoa, coconut milk (or any alternative milk) and if you're feeling it: honey/agave, cinnamon, nutmeg and a bay leaf.

Though nothing beats sipping chocolate tea out of a coconut in Jamaica, I'd like to think mine is the next best thing.

Ingredients

6-8 cups of raw organic cocoa powder

1 can of coconut milk

1 cup of boiled water

1 tsp of cinnamon

1 tsp of nutmeg

1 bay leaf

A pinch of salt

2-3 tbsp of honey or agave (to sweeten)

Preparation

i. Heat (med) cocoa powder and a small amount of boiled water to a pot. Whisk until a syrup has formed.

ii. Add honey (or agave) and a pinch of salt to mixture with the remainder of the boiling water until fully dissolved.

iii. Add cinnamon, nutmeg and the bay leaf. Allow to simmer for a few minutes.

iv. Add coconut milk, Whisk. Let simmer until done.

Tips

The measurements are not all that important. If you want more sweetener, add it! And so on.

Listen to Bob Marley to enhance the experience.

Enjoy your chocolate tea knowing it's many health properties are working their magic.

Thanks for savoring with me. Be sure to see and speak as well. This recipe was also published in CRWN Magazine. They are a progressive publication that aims to create a discussion around natural hair and the women who wear it.

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