Flavour your own cocoa – Part 1

“It’s already really cold out there in the mornings and evenings. We long for warmth and are about to open the spice cabinet and mix our pure fine cocoas ourselves today.

With the finest flavours.  The pure cocoas from Becks cocoa are wonderfully suited to heat you up with ashwagandha, cinnamon, ginger, coriander, pepper or tonka. You’ll feel warm and cosy! Check out our spice ideas and three great cocoa recipes here:

 

You’ll be warm and cosy!

Mix your own cocoa – the magical effect of aromatic spices

Part 1: Autumn/Winter

Fragrant vanilla that seduces us with its 1001 flavours, fiery chillies that really heat things up, and chocolatey cocoa that nourishes all our senses – spices add that certain something to every dish and today to your cup of cocoa. It is not for nothing that countless aromatic herbs, seeds, fruits and roots are considered edible “medicine” and stimulating ingredients in many cooking traditions around the globe. Many spices are said to have an almost magical effect. Let’s mix them into your hot chocolate right now and brew magic potions with them!

The name aphrodisiac comes from the Greek (τἁ Ἀφροδίσια, “pleasure of love”) and is derived from Aphrodite, the goddess of love.

Lust & Taste: Magic herbs are said to have mysterious effects

Hardly any other ingredient combines sensual enjoyment and positive effects, for example on health, to such an extent. Shrouded in mystery, some spices are considered to be aphrodisiac and, yes, their mode of action can perhaps go further than we imagine. Spices are said to be able to seduce and intoxicate us, to give us pleasure. The history of stimulating herbs and elixirs can be traced back almost to the dawn of mankind. They have always played an important role. Even today, certain herbs and spices are considered particularly stimulating in many cultures.

Over the centuries, more than 500 animal, vegetable or mineral substances worldwide have been said to have a desire-enhancing effect. An effect is often not clinically verifiable – nevertheless, the magic of spices has captivated us for centuries.

Culturally, there are great differences in what is considered an aphrodisiac and what is not. Mythology and traditional knowledge about the effects of herbal substances play and played just as big a role as the regional availability of special herbs.

Usually such foods fulfil one or more of the following characteristics: they have a stimulating or strange effect (e.g. lobster, mussels), their high protein content is strengthening (such as nuts, fish) or they have a sensual appearance like pomegranate and figs. But above all, spices and herbs stimulate our senses with their essential oils, make us want more and are considered to promote love.

Spicy herbs and beneficial plants – even the goddess Aphrodite knew in ancient times about their intoxicating and eroticising effects. These included mandrake, sorrel, saffron or wine. At some times, the use of some spices was even strictly forbidden. Herbs such as basil, mint, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, pepper and saffron were discredited. They were said to have been abused for secretly brewing love potions! So it has always been a hot topic with these natural aphrodisiacs.

Come with us on a journey into the world of cocoa and spices – with a good pinch of lust and warmth!

In Aztec times, cocoa was considered a sacred plant, food of the gods and an intoxicating stimulant. The Mexican Aztec ruler Moctezuma, for example, who lived from 1466 to 1520, is said to have taken cocoa every time before visiting his harem. Even into the 19th century, chocolate was sold in pharmacies as a tonic and remedy. The cocoa bean contains theobromine, caffeine and the happiness-inducing phenyletylamine – a substance our body produces when we are in love! We can add even more power to the powerful effect of cocoa by adding the right spices.

READ MORE about the effects of our fine flavoured cocoa HERE.

What are you doing to me?
Cocoa suggestions from the spice rack

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, the sleeping berry, also called Indian ginseng, is one of the most important medicinal herbs from the Indian natural medicine Ayurveda and has a very bitter taste. It is considered to increase stress resilience and libido and is said to be nourishing and rejuvenating. How to use it in a tasty way? Try our Aphrodite drink (scroll down to our recipes below)!

Chilli pepper

Chilli has a pungent flavour and a spicy, stimulating effect on the body. Here, less is more – in the right dosage, chilli ensures that endorphins are released that can put us in a state of happiness. The main active ingredient capsaicin also has a stimulating effect.

Ginger

Throughout Asia, ginger is considered a spicy miracle tuber. Ginger stimulates the blood circulation and warms up your body. You can grate fresh ginger on a fine grater and add it to your milk while warming it up, let it steep for a short time. Then mix with Becks cocoa fine cocoa powder and some cane sugar in a cup.

Coriander

Cocoa and coriander? Yes, try adding some freshly ground coriander, chilli and orange peel to your hot chocolate. The dried fruits of the coriander plant in particular are said to have an aphrodisiac effect. The phytoestrogens contained have a euphoric and invigorating effect and stimulate the blood circulation.

Nutmeg

Even the inconspicuous nutmeg has long been considered an aphrodisiac and was often drunk with warm milk or wine. The essential oils have a mildly intoxicating effect and stimulate the body to produce happiness hormones. Simply add some freshly ground powder of the nut together with some cinnamon and Becks cocoa Criollo to the heated milk.

Tonka bean

It is said to have a warming, stimulating and healing effect. Its notes – almond, marzipan, vanilla, a little caramel, a faint hint of sweet spiciness – almost beguile the nose. The tonka bean has long been used by perfumers to refine their fragrances. With a few simple steps, you can conjure up the spicy-harmonious warmth and aromatic richness in your hot chocolate. Simply grate a hint of it (less is more!) over your Becks cocoa with the finest grater you can find. The tonka bean is pleasantly stimulating and invigorates your senses!

Vanilla

Sensual, fragrant and aromatic, it’s no wonder that vanilla in stick form is also called the queen of spices. It has an invigorating and mood-lifting effect: the aromatic substance vanillin is very similar to human pheromones. Take a fresh vanilla pod (the skin must still be nice and soft), scrape out half of it and add the oily, dark seeds to the milk together with some cane sugar and especial no 4. Heat slowly.

Cinnamon

Warming cinnamon has been known since ancient times as a stimulant of desire. It could not be missing in any love potion. Cinnamon is said to stimulate the production of pheromones and stimulates the nervous system. Grab one of the pure Becks cocoa fine flavoured cocoas (depending on your preference: Criollo, especial no 3, especial no 4) and add some real Ceylon cinnamon. Heat, add milk foam on top. (If you like, melt a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil in it for a nourishing, satisfying feeling). Done!

Aphrodite in the cup and in the spice cabinet – our recipes:
Let yourself be seduced!

Aphrodite Drink

• 300 ml almond milk
• 3 dates
• 1 pinch vanilla
• ½ tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. Becks cocoa fine cocoa Criollo
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• ½ tsp. ashwagandha

Warm the almond milk, mix all the ingredients together. Froth up. Enjoy warm.

Lovepotion spice blend for your cocoa

• 5 g turmeric
• 5 g cinnamon
• 5 g ginger
• 3 g cardamom
• 3 g chilli
• 3 g coriander
• 2 g rose petals or rose petal powder
• 2 g nutmeg
• 2 spsp. vanilla

Your new spice blend is sensual, warm and harmonious.
Mix all the ground spices together and add to your Becks Cocoa cocoa to taste. Gently warm in a pot of warm (plant) milk.

Lovepotion for spicy

Simply add the following spices to the spices mentioned above

• 5 g turmeric
• 5 g cinnamon
• 5 g garlic
• 10 g paprika, sweet
• 2 spsp. Becks cocoa pure fine cocoa (e.g. especial no 4)
  add!

This hearty version, also sensual, warm and harmonious, goes well with vegetables, pulses, risotto or chicken.

Love potion

• 300 ml plant milk (e.g. oat milk)
• 6 tsp pure Becks cocoa organic fine flavoured cocoa (depending on preference: Criollo, especial no 3, especial no 4)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• a little of each: cardamom, clove, pepper
• fresh vanilla from the pod
• 3 tsp honey

How do you refine your pure fine cocoa? What spices do you use? Do you have a particular ritual? What effect do you notice? Do you have a special recipe you would like to share? Tell us about your favourite cocoa spices.