Are you a coffee lover? Have you thought about quitting or at least cutting back on your coffee consumption, but the mere thought of that daunts you? Yeah, I’ve been there too, but then I realized that the cocoa bean has a lot of the same minerals as the coffee bean, and that got me thinking. I (somehow) managed to convince my team to do this experiment with me where we all committed to switching out our coffee for raw organic cacao to see if we’d stay alive, awake, and productive.
The big question was: can coffee be replaced by cacao?
As a team, we went through a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but it turned out that our vegan, organic cacao powder actually managed to keep all of us alive, awake, and productive. It even came with a pleasant surprise of not having the 2 pm crash! If you’re not the type to read through a whole blog just to get to the final conclusion, I'll give it away right now: Cacao can replace coffee and make you feel more energized and better all around! It probably goes without saying but our entire team used our Raw Organic Cacao Powder, not only beacuse it's our baby, but because it's packed with minerals and unsweetened, so it suits those craving the bitterness of the coffee!
The Benefits of Replacing Coffee with Cocoa
When it comes to replacing your daily cup of coffee, cocoa actually offers a plethora of incredible benefits that can transform your mornings and overall well-being. You probably know that there's no caffeine in cocoa, but there is theobromine. This substance has almost identical energy-boosting, temporarily improved cognitive function, and mood-boosting effects as caffeine but without the intense and addictive side effects! Beyond these energizing properties, cocoa is also rich in compounds that support a healthy immune system, promote heart health, and even enhance cognitive function.
Personally, saying goodbye to coffee-induced 2pm crashes and hello to a delicious and nourishing alternative with cocoa has been refreshing. Trust me when I say this: after your body gets used to the cocoa, your mornings will never be the same again.
In other words, when you reach for a cup of cocoa instead of coffee, you will experience heightened focus and sustained energy throughout the day while nourishing your body! When I say that cacao is a superfood, I'm hoping you see why, and if not - send us a DM on Instagram and I'll explain more!
The Energizing Substances of Cocoa That Can Replace Coffee
Can you relate to the coffee crashes and jitters I’m talking about? Let's dive in a bite more, just in case you still need some convincing. From one die-hard coffee fan to another, here’s a list of the energizing substances we find in both raw cacao and coffee:
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Phenethylamine
Both cocoa and coffee contain phenethylamine, a compound that can enhance mood and increase feelings of well-being. This is what you need to increase your energy levels, focus/attention span, motivation, and ability to exercise.
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Tryptophan
Present in cocoa and coffee, tryptophan is an essential amino acid that supports the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates your mood and promotes a sense of relaxation and well-being.
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Magnesium
Found in both cocoa and coffee, magnesium is an essential mineral that plays a vital role in energy production and metabolism.
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Antioxidants
Cocoa and coffee are rich in antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which combat oxidative stress, support a healthy immune system, and contribute to overall energy and well-being.
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B Vitamins
Both cocoa and coffee provide various B vitamins, including niacin, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid, which are essential for energy metabolism and the production of red blood cells.
Our Month-Long Experiment; How It Went
Let me be brutally honest here, we might work with cacao and love it for every moment in our lives, but the thought of giving up coffee in the morning did have us shaking in our boots. So, how did it go when a group of cacao lovers chose to rely on cocoa for their daily energy pick-me-up?
During the experiment, we explored a variety of raw, organic cocoa drinks and snacks to keep our taste buds satisfied and our energy levels up and discovered that we actually could survive without coffee! I'm not going to lie, the first week was challenging, and the intense caffeine withdrawal symptoms were creeping up on us. Once we powered through the initial withdrawal and gave our bodies space to adapt to the slower absorption of the substances that cacao provides, we started to see some really cool results!
I’m not going to bore you with what every team member felt, but I’ll give you a summary of the main feelings we all experienced. Overall, we all experienced sustained energy levels, improved focus, and a sense of calm throughout the day. What did take some adjusting to was that the absorption wasn’t instant, meaning that a quick shot of cacao before a meeting didn’t work the same way a quick espresso does. But the upside of that slow absorption was that there weren’t any harsh crashes.
We all realized that our energy levels didn’t change as much as they used to, and we just felt more awake and sharper overall. Not suffering from the coffee-induced crashes and jitters allowed us to maintain a higher level of productivity and mental clarity all throughout the day. Another fun side effect was our creativity. Since we were new to the cacao game, we had to put some more effort into creating our cacao drinks. Getting creative with our cocoa drinks turned this experience into somewhat of a team-building month as well!
Some of the mouth-watering cacao-based options we played around with were:
Creamy Cacao Latte: We crafted rich and velvety cacao lattes using our premium raw cacao powder and paired it with our favorite plant-based milk. It was like sipping a luxurious treat that awakened our senses.
Superfood Cacao Smoothie: We blended raw cacao powder with an array of fruits, leafy greens, and plant-based milk, creating vibrant and nutrient-packed smoothies that fuelled our bodies and minds.
Cacao Energy Balls: These homemade energy balls became our go-to snack, combining raw cacao powder with nuts, dates, and other wholesome ingredients. These little powerhouses provided sustained energy throughout the day.
Cacao Infusion: For those really missing the feeling of drinking a nice hot cup of dark coffee, this was a clear winner! Mixing raw and unsweetened cacao powder with some water was as close to a long black as we could get. If you haven’t tried it, do so and let us know what you think!
Our Conclusions and Tips
Based on our month-long experiment, I wholeheartedly recommend replacing coffee with cocoa to boost your mornings and productivity throughout the day! The benefits of cocoa extend beyond energizing properties, and by replacing coffee with cocoa, we were able to reap these long-term benefits, all while enjoying the delicious flavors. Here are some key takeaways and tips to help you on your journey:
- Choose high-quality, raw, and organic cocoa products like this unsweetened raw cacao powder to ensure you're getting the best nutritional value.
- Experiment with different cocoa recipes and find the ones that suit your taste and lifestyle. The possibilities are endless!
- Embrace the ritual of preparing and savoring your cocoa drinks. Take a moment to appreciate the aroma, the flavors, and the nourishment it brings to your body and mind.
If you're ready to embrace the cocoa revolution, get your hands on some organic, clean, and vegan cacao! Elevate your mornings and nourish your body with the power of cocoa!
