How to make cocoa at home: a classic recipe

Everyone who cares about their health follows the immutable truth: a hearty breakfast is the key to a successful day. And coffee is not always the right decision. If you brew cocoa powder in milk in the morning, you will calmly hold out until lunchtime without feeling hungry. Cocoa beans contain a substance that actively produces the hormone of joy - serotonin. This means you can easily cope with the difficulties of the day. And in the evening, having brewed a cup of a sweet, aromatic drink, cure the blues and bad mood. Nutritionists say that during a diet, cocoa, giving a long-lasting feeling of satiety, will help overcome melancholy and despondency. And they also say that it makes you smarter.

But to get full pleasure, it is important to brew the drink correctly. Thanks to the experiments of European confectioners, we have the opportunity to enjoy chocolate, filled candies, and know a lot of different cocoa recipes.

Properties of the drink

The value of cocoa is undeniable, so this is not so much a whim for your loved ones, but an opportunity to add useful substances to the body. The main component is theobroma, which is an alkaloid and has a stimulating effect on the nervous system. At the same time, its effect is much milder than that of caffeine, so this drink is not prohibited even for children over three years old, if it is prepared not strong, with the addition of milk. At the same time, for adults, cocoa becomes a substitute for coffee if it is contraindicated for someone.

Theobromine has a weak effect on the cardiovascular and nervous systems. At the same time, people with increased excitability are not recommended to use the product in the evening, so as not to suffer from insomnia. The best time to drink the drink is in the morning to make the body wake up and invigorate for the working day. Cocoa is also useful for certain diseases. It is recommended to drink it for bronchopulmonary pathologies.

Cocoa contains fewer calories than other drinks, so it does not lead to obesity. And the sweetness contributes to the fact that a person usually does without dessert, enjoying the product. Therefore, a serving of cocoa powder causes a natural feeling of fullness and does not provoke excess weight gain. Cocoa also has the ability to be an antidepressant, improving mood and eliminating depression.

Product description, composition

Nesquik cocoa powder is familiar to everyone, and almost everyone can brew it with boiling water and add milk. The resulting hot chocolate has a pleasant, balanced taste, aroma and consistency. This is complemented by a complex of vitamins and minerals that play an important role for the stable condition of the body, especially a growing one. You can get part of your daily requirement from a cup of hot Nesquik.

Nesquik cocoa - benefits and harm. Cocoa drink contains many vitamins and microelements: vitamins A, E, B, PP, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, sodium, copper, molybdenum, etc. In addition, cocoa contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, starch, and organic acids. Let's take a closer look at the composition of the drink.

On a note! The manufacturer indicates the composition on the packaging, clearly highlighting the share of the daily requirement for vitamins and microelements.

Sugar . This drink is high in calories. Two hundred grams of Nesquik cocoa contains about 200 calories. We should not forget that excess sugar in the diet is undesirable; it has a bad effect on bone tissue, since calcium is taken from the bones to break it down. In addition, sweetness creates an ideal background in the mouth for the development of harmful bacteria, so the teeth of those with a sweet tooth often suffer. And we shouldn’t forget about excess weight, because it’s easy to gain and difficult to lose.

Cocoa powder is the main ingredient for taste and smell, and Nesquik contains 18%. Cocoa has a positive effect on blood vessels, strengthens them and increases elasticity, preventing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. For children, this advantage translates into resistance to bruising. Cocoa drink warms well and stimulates the immune system. However, large amounts of cocoa powder can cause allergic reactions.

Important! It should be avoided by people with high blood pressure, since the chocolate drink provokes an increase in blood pressure.

Soy lecithin is a harmless dietary supplement, although it often causes concern. It actively participates in the metabolic processes of the body. Interesting: Children need lecithin for normal development. Lecithin deficiency causes disturbances not only in mental but also physical development, reduces memory, learning and speech skills become very difficult.

Thus, a child who does not receive the required amount of lecithin is thin, emotionally unstable, often whiny and irritable. The body's absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K is difficult because phospholipids are needed to process them.

Maltodextrin is a syrup made from corn, soy, rice or potato starch. This is an analogue of sugar, which is easily absorbed by the growing body, promotes intestinal motility and serves as an additional source of energy.

Cinnamon is a spice that improves blood circulation and digestion.

Cooking tips

For many housewives, cooking cocoa with milk or water is as easy as shelling pears, especially if it is a family tradition and the drink was prepared by mothers and grandmothers. And beginners don’t always succeed in cooking. There is no big secret in preparing the drink - if you follow the technology correctly, you can very soon get the hang of it and brew a very tasty drink.

Here are the cooking tips housewives give:

• It is best to prepare cocoa in a small container, especially if it is 1-2 cups in size. But you should not leave the dishes on the stove for a long time unattended - the milk may escape at the most inopportune moment and the drink will have to be prepared again.
• Before adding cocoa to milk, mix it with sugar until smooth. When the liquid boils, add the dry ingredients little by little and stir thoroughly.
• If you buy ready-made drinks rather than pure cocoa, keep in mind that sugar has already been added. If you put in an extra 1-2 spoons, the drink can be over-sweetened and it will be unbearable to drink.
• As soon as the liquid has simmered over low heat for a couple of minutes, it is recommended to add a pinch of vanilla, and after another couple of minutes - cinnamon to make the taste richer and spicy.
• Very often a milky film appears on the surface of the liquid, which everyone does not like. To prevent this, immediately after preparing the cocoa, you need to beat it with a blender and saturate it with oxygen. Then a film will not form.
• Spice lovers prefer to make a drink with cloves or star anise - with such ingredients, cocoa should simmer over low heat and stand under the lid after turning off, so that the components give off their taste.
• It is better to drink the drink hot - this way it will give you the whole range of flavor shades.

Useful tips and secrets

Despite the fact that the recipe for making cocoa is very simple, there are many secrets to ensure that it turns out delicious. When purchasing cocoa, you should carefully read the ingredients on the packaging. Recently, supermarkets are increasingly selling cocoa substitutes rather than real cocoa. When preparing cocoa, also read the recommended recipe from the manufacturer.

If you use pasteurized milk to make cocoa, this will save a few minutes of your time. The fact is that pasteurized milk does not need to be kept on the fire after boiling. Once the milk has boiled, pour it into the cup of cocoa. You can add some fruits such as bananas or peaches to classic cocoa. They need to be finely chopped and poured into cocoa. Whisk it all together.

You can also make fruit-based cocoa instead of milk. To do this, you need to cook fruit compote in the evening. Strain it through cheesecloth and leave it to brew until the morning. In the morning, cook cocoa according to the classic recipe. It will be very tasty.

Some are afraid to drink cocoa, caring about their figure. It's in vain! It is impossible to get fat from it! Unlike chocolate, cocoa does not affect your figure. It does not contain as much saturated fat as chocolate (chocolate contains 20 g of fat per 100 g of product); a mug of cocoa contains only 0.3 g of fat.

The drink is very nutritious; one cup drunk at breakfast makes you feel full. How much can you include in your diet? It is not recommended to drink more than two cups a day. It is better to drink in the morning or afternoon. Drinking a cup during the day will give you strength and vigor. It is better not to drink at night; there is a risk of having a sleepless night, since one cup contains approximately 5 mg of caffeine.

How long to cook cocoa

Cooking time depends on the number of servings, the selected recipe and serving method. You can prepare a cup of the classic drink from cocoa powder, sugar and liquid in 3-5 minutes. If you cook for several people, use additives to the traditional recipe and decorate when serving, the process will take 20-30 minutes.

Will affect cooking time and choice of ingredients. Cocoa based on pasteurized milk is boiled for 2-3 minutes after boiling. Homemade milk should be boiled for 5-7 minutes.

If the drink is served cold, allow for additional cooling time.

How to make cocoa with milk

1. Pour milk into a clean small saucepan. Place on medium heat.
2. While the milk is brought to boiling point, mix the sugar and cocoa powder in a separate bowl.
3. The amount of sugar can be changed as much as possible. and to a lesser extent. But these are the proportions that are considered optimal.
4. When the milk gets very hot and the first bubbles appear, signaling that it is about to boil, scoop out a small amount of liquid and pour it into the dry mixture. You should stir constantly during the process to avoid lumps.
5. Pour the chocolate mixture into the boiling milk in a thin stream. It is important to stir constantly.
6. Let the drink simmer for a couple of minutes, remembering to stir.
7. The cocoa drink is ready!

It can be served both for breakfast and for an afternoon snack. Buns, pancakes, bagels and any other pastries of your choice will be a great addition.

Bon appetit!

Ingredients for cocoa with milk

• Cow's milk - 0.5 l
• Cocoa powder - 1.5 tbsp. l.
• Sugar - 1.5 tbsp. l.

Which cocoa powder should you choose?

To prepare this drink, you need the most common cocoa powder, which does not contain sugar or other additives.

In other words, only cocoa - no flavors, dyes or other chemicals!

How to achieve a uniform consistency?

To prevent unappetizing lumps from floating in the drink, the dry ingredients are mixed separately and diluted in a small amount of boiling milk. Only when this chocolate mass is perfectly mixed can it be poured into hot milk in a thin stream.

With cocoa you can serve delicious pastries prepared according to these recipes:

• yeast buns with jam;
• cottage cheese buns with chocolate;
• buns with raisins.

Hot chocolate with milk: two methods of preparation

In addition to the fact that chocolate has an amazing taste, for which everyone loves this delicacy without exception, this amazing dessert also has a lot of useful properties. For a long time, chocolate was considered a miracle cure, and this is no coincidence, because it contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals. Chocolate helps cope with depression and fatigue, it lifts your mood and improves memory.

Fortunately, the times when the drink was considered a luxury and was available only to a few are in the past. Now you can prepare it even at home using simple and affordable ingredients.

Hot chocolate with milk can be prepared in two ways. You can make it from a dark chocolate bar or make a drink using cocoa powder.

How to make a hot chocolate milk drink

• Dark chocolate – 100 g
• Milk – 500 ml
• Sugar - 1-2 tbsp. l
• Vanilla sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg - optional

The easiest way to prepare this drink is to use ready-made chocolate. To do this, you will need to take a bar of good dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), sugar and milk.

Pour the required amount of milk into a small bowl or gravy boat and heat it over low heat.

Grate the chocolate on a coarse grater.

When the milk becomes hot, add sugar and chocolate.

The mixture must be mixed well and removed from heat. Do not bring to a boil!

Pour the finished drink into glasses or cups and serve.

To make the drink thicker and more viscous, you can add 0.5-1 teaspoon of corn flour or starch to it.

The classic recipe for hot chocolate with milk made from cocoa powder is ideal for preparing a drink for the holiday table.

If you decide to surprise your guests, then it is best to serve a homemade drink for dessert.

How to cook cocoa powder from water

Cocoa with water is prepared in almost the same way as cocoa with 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 this, hot water is poured into the mixture with continuous stirring and brought to a boil over low heat. After this, it is also recommended to beat the cocoa with a whisk until foam appears.

If desired, you can add milk or cream to the finished drink; you can serve it in the style of iced coffee - adding a scoop of ice cream to a cup of cold or hot cocoa; You can decorate with whipped cream or caramel or chocolate syrup - the options are almost endless.

The taste of cocoa in water can also be varied by adding spices to the drink - for example, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg or cloves. You can cook cocoa with the addition of a small amount of red pepper.

The benefits of cocoa for children, men and women

Cocoa stimulates men's libido, increases potency and improves sperm quality.
For women, the product helps normalize the menstrual cycle, improve the condition of hair and nails, and also increase the overall tone of the body. For older people, cocoa stimulates brain function and helps in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Children are recommended to drink cocoa no earlier than three years of age. The drink improves concentration and has a tonic effect. Polyphenols in its composition stimulate blood circulation, improve brain function and memory.

With condensed milk

Cocoa with condensed milk turns out incredibly tasty, tender and creamy. The cooking method is simple. For two servings you only need a little - half a liter of milk, two tablespoons of powder, 20 g of dark chocolate and a few teaspoons of condensed milk to taste. You can decorate hot cocoa with cinnamon or pieces of grated chocolate.

The milk must be heated to the desired temperature and add cocoa powder with chocolate pieces. Stir it well so that there are no lumps. It is better to do this with a whisk. As soon as the milk boils, remove it from the stove and add condensed milk there, stirring constantly until it is completely dissolved. They can also be decorated with chocolate chips or a pinch of cinnamon.

Cocoa with condensed milk

• Cooking time: 20 minutes.
• Number of servings: 5 persons.
• Calorie content of the dish: 128 kcal.
• Purpose: dessert.
• Cuisine: European, Russian.
• Difficulty of preparation: easy.

Making cocoa with condensed milk is as simple as the classic recipe. You just need to dilute the condensed milk with water until a mass of liquid consistency is formed. You need to add less sugar to such a drink, since the main ingredient already contains it in large quantities. The finished drink is very tasty, tender and sweet. It can easily replace dessert.

• water – 800 milliliters;
• cocoa powder – 1 heaped tablespoon;
• whole condensed milk – 250 g;
• sugar – 15 g.

1. Add sugar to the cocoa powder, then pour a small amount of boiling water into the mixture. Mix everything thoroughly until smooth.
2. Dilute the condensed milk in a bowl with the remaining water. Combine the resulting liquid with ground chocolate powder.
3. The next step in how to cook delicious cocoa is to bring the product to a boil.
4. The finished drink should be poured into cups and served hot.

Emperor's drink

Among the many incarnations of this delicacy, the “Drink of Emperor Montezuma” occupies a special place. To achieve an original effect, in which vigor is flavored with a subtle taste, we grind the fruits into powder. The resulting consistency is mixed in a blender with salt, natural vanilla and honey. The resulting mixture is poured with cold water and mixed for one minute. Add hot water and beat. Can be poured into containers. Connoisseurs know that this liquid is consumed in small glasses, which are sprinkled with pepper.

In this version, a drink familiar from childhood makes you think about the correctness of your personal attitude towards cocoa. Everyone can experience the sensations that the Aztecs and ancient Mayans experienced when tasting this dish.

Cocoa with ice cream

A fragrant drink with delicious ice cream is an excellent option not only for adults, but also, especially for children who love sweets. Such a treat can be beautifully decorated and surprise guests. Moreover, everything is very simple to prepare:

1. Grated beans or powder 4-6 g.
2. 2 dessert spoons of sugar.
3. A glass of milk.
4. Regular or chocolate ice cream 30 gr.
5. Grated piece of chocolate.

Heat the milk, add beans or powder, stir. Reduce heat, add sugar. Cook for another minute. Remove from heat and let it brew. The thickness depends on how long to cook the cocoa, as well as how long to infuse. The longer it takes, the thicker it will be. When the drink is infused, add ice cream sprinkled with grated chocolate on top. You can decorate with a mint leaf. Serve with a dessert spoon.

"Jamie Oliver"

The drink of the same name, based on the recipe of the famous restaurateur Jamie Oliver, is made for several people. This is a real family recipe, especially suitable for winter evenings, when the whole family is together and you can please your pets with such a drink. To prepare Jamie Oliver you will need the following ingredients:

• milk – 900 ml;
• dry milk drink of any brand - 2 tbsp. l.;
• corn flour - 2 tbsp. l.;
• powdered sugar – 3 tbsp. l.;
• cocoa powder – 4 tbsp. l.;
• dark chocolate – 1 standard bar 100 g;
• a pinch of sea salt;
• cinnamon powder on the tip of a knife.

To prepare the drink, you must first warm the entire volume of milk, then pour in all the dry ingredients. Due to their addition, the drink will be quite thick; it must be constantly stirred until homogeneous. When adding sea salt, a little foam may appear, but this is normal. Serve delicious Jamie Oliver cocoa hot, you can add a little vanilla syrup or grated chocolate. If the housewife has made “Jamie Oliver” at least once, then the family will definitely like it.

Cocoa with vanilla

The taste of this drink is richer and sweeter. Vanilla gives a pleasant, subtle aroma. The perfect drink for autumn evenings. To prepare you need:

1. Beans or powder 4-6 gr.
2. A glass of milk.
3. 2 dessert spoons of sugar.
4. Vanilla pod or powder.

Heat milk and vanilla in a Turk, without bringing to a boil. Add beans or powder with sugar to the warm, spicy mixture, stir and simmer over low heat for a couple more minutes. Then remove from heat and let sit for a minute. The drink also goes well with cinnamon or mint.

Cocoa can be served in its original form, or you can decorate the drink with marshmallows or ice cream

How to serve the dish and with what

This liquid dessert is usually poured into medium-sized cups and served hot. And you can serve it with a wide variety of products to suit every taste. This could be chocolate, marshmallows, marshmallows, vanilla cookies, cinnamon cookies and other sweets. Such a small but quite nutritious snack can be enjoyed at any time of the day if you are not watching calories. But it’s better to do this in the first half of the day, because this drink contains caffeine, and this dessert option can give your body a little vigor.

"Mocha"

Cocoa "Mocha" is more reminiscent of hot chocolate, since the drink is very intense in taste. It is suitable for adults in the morning or as a drink at a party or date. The pronounced chocolate taste will not leave you indifferent. To make Mocha you will need basic ingredients:

• one and a half glasses of milk;
• 3 tbsp. l. regular granulated sugar and 1 tbsp. l. brown sugar;
• 1 tbsp. l. instant coffee;
• 2 tbsp. l. cocoa powder;
• 0.5 tsp. cinnamon.

ADVICE! To add flavor notes to the drink, you need to prepare a pinch of nutmeg, a little salt and mild pepper.

Preparing the drink is quick and easy, so it doesn’t cost anything to treat yourself to Mocha at home. All ingredients must be mixed and placed in a medium-sized saucepan. Heat the liquid for 3-5 minutes until the consistency becomes homogeneous. After this, “Mocha” is poured into mugs and, if desired, decorated with grated chocolate.

Powder

Cocoa powder, as a result of processing cocoa beans from which butter is extracted, has a lower calorie content compared to the original raw material - it contains from 235 to 374 kcal per 100 grams. This indicator varies depending on the residual amount of fat in the resulting powder. In accordance with this feature, there are 3 categories of such a product:

• low-fat (less than 14% fat) - 235 kcal/100 g, 58.8 kcal/1 tbsp. l., 21.4 kcal/1 tsp;
• bold (up to 20%) - 297 kcal/100 g, 74 kcal/1 tbsp. l., 27 kcal/1 tsp;
• fatty (more than 20%) - 374 kcal/100 g, 34 kcal/1 tsp, 93.5 kcal/1 tbsp. l.

The energy value of one cup of hot cocoa prepared according to the classic recipe is 250 kcal. This is due to the addition of sugar, 1 teaspoon of which contains 20 kcal, as well as milk, which is also a very nutritious component (depending on the fat content). Thus, by drinking a serving of this drink 3 times a day, you can exhaust half of the total calorie content of your daily diet. On the other hand, it is quite nutritious and quickly causes a feeling of satiety, so you won’t be able to drink in large quantities. The ideal option is 1 glass of drink during breakfast to get a boost of energy and lift your spirits, as well as another cup as a healthy snack.

When choosing cocoa powder, it is necessary to take into account that they differ not only in the degree of fat content, but also in the production method - there is natural and alkalized. In the first case, dry raw materials are not processed in any way, and in the second, an alkaline solution is used for processing. It is completely harmless, prepared from ordinary soda and helps to extract volatile fatty acids and a significant amount of tannins from the resulting product. Thanks to this, alkalized cocoa powder has a darker color, exquisite taste, rich aroma and reduced calorie content.

The beneficial properties of cocoa powder are manifested in the fact that under the influence of its active components a number of positive changes occur in the body:

• the production of the “hormone of joy” endorphin increases, which helps improve the emotional and mental background and prevents the development of depression, including that associated with limited nutrition during strict diets;
• the skin becomes healthier, more elastic and protected from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays and other external factors;
• blood pressure is normalized, the walls of blood vessels are strengthened, the risk of strokes and heart attacks is reduced;
• blood circulation is activated, the likelihood of heart disease is reduced;
• muscles relax, which is useful for athletes after competitions or intense training, as well as for people engaged in heavy physical labor;
• prevention of diabetes, stomach ulcers and cancer is being created.

Despite the relatively high energy value, cocoa drinks or powder-based desserts are an excellent healthy substitute for sweets for those who are trying to lose weight or control their weight by counting calories. In any case, the calorie content of cocoa prepared at home is significantly lower than that of store-bought sweets and confectionery. In addition, cocoa powder is extremely easy to use and can be added to a wide variety of recipes, giving dishes the taste and aroma of chocolate.

To purchase a truly useful product, you should choose factory packaging that guarantees proven quality of the product and prevents the ingress of harmful microorganisms. If you shake the pack well, you can determine by the sound whether the mass inside is loose and whether it has clumped into a lump, which happens when stored in conditions of high humidity. You also need to check the expiration date, which is limited to 12 months.

Children's

Baby cocoa can be brewed from simple and healthy ingredients. The drink contains the basic ingredients milk and cocoa powder, but many people prefer to add honey to the drink. This component is very useful, but before cooking, keep in mind that honey, like milk, is an allergen. The child should not be intolerant to these ingredients. If everything is fine, you can start preparing the drink.

Pour 0.5 liters of milk into a small saucepan and add 1 tbsp. l. cocoa with sugar or honey (adjust to taste). Bring the liquid to a boil, stirring thoroughly to avoid lumps forming. You can add a little cinnamon or vanilla to the drink to give it a pleasant taste and smell. To prevent foam from cocoa and milk from forming, which causes children to be capricious and not want to drink the drink, beat it with a blender after preparation. The volume is designed for two servings.

Contraindication

It is not recommended to give cocoa to children under three years of age, since it contains caffeine and promotes agitation, as well as an increased level of gastric juice production and a faster removal of minerals from the child's body.
By the way, for the same reason, pregnant and lactating women should avoid cocoa. Cocoa is an allergen. People with food allergies and reactions to other foods should consume it with caution.

It is not recommended to include cocoa in your diet if you have gout or joint problems. The product contains purines, which can cause excessive formation of uric acid.

Diabetics and patients with insulin resistance should not consume cocoa powder.

Since cocoa contains caffeine, it has a diuretic effect and leads to dehydration and leaching of minerals if the water-salt balance is not replenished.

People with atherosclerosis, diseases of the nervous system, and those suffering from high acidity should also give up cocoa.