I’d say there’s nothing in the world as heartbreakingly romantic as a steaming mug filled with rich, velvety hot chocolate. It’s not just that chocolatewhich may be the most romantic food on earth (note endorphins and dopamine), but it is molten chocolate – smooth, creamy and luscious, the mug warming your fingers as ribbons of aromatic steam curl into the air and disappear into the ether. It is sensual and captivating and therefore invites intimacy in a way that a bouquet of roses or a box of chocolates usually does not.
I think part of this is because sharing hot chocolate creates such a special kind of environment – a safe and comfortable space – where boundaries fade and you feel like you can take off your shoes, let your hair down and enjoy the evening to bring. It’s something the Danes might call it hygge. For this reason, you wouldn’t just share a hot chocolate with someone, as this is truly a testament to the safety and comfort you feel in that person’s company. It’s for people who are special and make you feel special too.
As you may have heard, cocoa is packed with free radical scavengers that help protect our bodies from oxidative stress. So the caring aspect of sharing a cup of hot chocolate extends far beyond just the warm and fuzzy feelings surrounding it, but also to the body. . Additionally, chocolate supports healthy endorphins and serotonin levels in the brain and gut and has been shown to improve mood, improve memory and focus, and increase the experience of positive emotions. So it’s not just in your head (or maybe it is?).
The chocolate in this recipe is then combined with spicy cayenne pepper – which supports healthy blood flow and endorphin production and can help relieve discomfort – and cinnamon, which slows the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream, acting as a powerful nutrient for the body. and supports a healthy inflammatory response. All together, chocolate and spices not only create a warming, spicy and decadent drink, but also a mood-boosting and blood-expanding drink. It’s no wonder the Aztecs and Mayans consumed something similar daily as a health-promoting tonic and stimulant. I can’t think of anything better to share with that special person in your life.
Spicy Valentine’s hot chocolate
Serves 2
Remark: Use the best quality dark chocolate you can find here; I would suggest 70% or higher.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups (473 g) milk of your choice (I used oat milk)
- 1 cup (5 oz) chopped dark chocolate
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder (or the seeds of 1 vanilla pod)
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder
- pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp coconut sugar (optional)
- Extra cocoa powder and freshly grated nutmeg for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Add the milk to a small saucepan and heat slowly over low heat. Once the milk just starts to boil, add the chocolate and whisk until combined.
- Add the spices and whisk again to combine.
- Once the chocolate has completely melted, remove the pan from the heat. Taste and adjust the flavors to your liking, adding more cayenne pepper if you want it spicier or a tablespoon of coconut sugar if you prefer it sweeter.
- Garnish with a pinch of cocoa powder, some freshly grated nutmeg and, if desired, a pinch of cayenne pepper and cinnamon.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Writer Danielle Charles Davies has a BSc in Herbal Sciences from Bastyr University and completed the two-year clinical training program at the Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism in Montpelier, VT. Her articles have appeared in Taproot, The Journal of the American Herbalist Guild, and Kindred Magazine, among others. She lives in Northern Michigan with her husband, two dogs and eight ducks. She blogs at www.bluemoonkitchen.com.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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