Is there anything better than that first cup of coffee in the morning?
For many of us, it’s a sacred ritual. But what if you could take that ritual to a whole new level of deliciousness? Imagine your favorite brew, now richer, deeper, with a velvety chocolate embrace. Welcome to the world of cacao coffee – a delightful beverage you can easily create at home using Diego's 100% Cacao Blocks.
You might have heard about brewing cocoa beans. These terms often refer to creating a light, tea-like beverage from cacao husks or nibs. However, this guide focuses on a more luxurious experience: infusing your actual coffee with pure, artisanal cacao mass for an unparalleled taste.
And if you want to add your favorite espresso to make what I would call a high-quality, homemade mocha.
What is Cacao Coffee?
Cacao coffee is essentially coffee that has been enriched with pure cacao, typically in the form of cacao mass or high-quality unsweetened chocolate. The goal is to add a deep, authentic chocolate flavor and a velvety texture to the coffee, creating a more complex and satisfying beverage than standard coffee or overly sweet mochas.
Why Add Diego's 100% Cacao to Your Coffee? Benefits & Advantages
Adding Diego's 100% Cacao Blocks to your coffee offers several benefits:
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Unmatched Flavor: Unlike sugary syrups or processed cocoa powders, our 100% Cacao Block imparts an intense, authentic chocolate depth.
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Velvety Texture: It brings a wonderful richness and smooth mouthfeel to your brew.
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Pure & Simple Ingredients: You're using just one core ingredient – pure, wood-fire roasted, and ground cacao from Guatemala. There are no artificial additives, emulsifiers, or excessive sugars. Like peanut butter is to peanuts, our cacao blocks are to cacao beans.
- A Nod to Mayan Tradition: The Mayans have been combining cacao with spices and warmth for centuries. This is your modern, easy way to enjoy a similar rich experience.
- Customizable Intensity: You control how chocolatey your cacao coffee becomes.
Your Secret Weapon for Perfect Cacao Coffee: Diego's 100% Cacao Block
Our cacao block isn't powder; it's 100% pure, solid cacao mass – essentially, roasted cacao beans ground into a smooth, rich paste that solidifies. This pure form makes it incredibly versatile for melting seamlessly into hot liquids, releasing its full flavor. A little goes a long way!
How to Make Cacao Coffee: A Step-by-Step Guide for Different Coffee Brewers
The key to successfully making cacao coffee is proper preparation of the cacao block. To prepare Diego's Cacao Block for coffee, finely chop, shave, or grate a small amount.
We recommend starting with approximately 1-2 teaspoons of prepared cacao per cup of coffee and adjusting to your personal preference.
Here’s how to incorporate Diego's Cacao into your coffee with various brewers:
For Drip Machine Coffee
The Best Method for Drip Machines: Brew your coffee as you normally would. Once brewed, add your prepared cacao shavings directly into your mug. Pour the hot coffee from the carafe over the cacao. Stir well (about 20-30 seconds) until the cacao is fully melted and incorporated.
Why this method is preferred: Adding cacao directly to the coffee grounds in the filter basket *can* sometimes work, but it risks clogging the machine and may not extract the cacao flavor as effectively or evenly. The direct-to-mug method ensures full flavor, no mess, and no risk to your coffee maker.
For French Press Coffee
Option A (Adding Cacao to the Press): Add your prepared cacao shavings along with your coffee grounds into the French press carafe. Pour in your hot water, let it steep for your usual brewing time, then press the plunger down slowly. Stir the brewed cacao coffee well in the carafe before pouring.
Option B (Adding Cacao to the Mug – Offers More Control): Brew your coffee in the French press as usual. Add the prepared cacao shavings to your individual mug. Pour the hot, pressed coffee over the cacao, and stir vigorously until fully melted.
For Pour-Over Coffee
Recommended Method for Pour-Over: Prepare your cacao shavings and place them directly into your coffee mug. Execute your pour-over brewing process as usual, allowing the hot coffee to drip directly onto the cacao shavings in the mug. Once brewing is complete, stir the coffee thoroughly to ensure all the cacao is melted and integrated.
For Percolator Coffee
How to Use with a Percolator: Once your coffee has fully percolated and is hot, add your prepared cacao shavings directly to your individual coffee mug. Pour the hot coffee from the percolator over the cacao. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and the cacao is completely dissolved.
Important Note: Avoid adding cacao directly into the percolator basket with the coffee grounds, as this can lead to clogging and uneven flavor extraction.
Pro Tips for Your Perfect Cup of Cacao Coffee
Start with Less Cacao: You can always add more cacao if you prefer a stronger chocolate flavor, but it's harder to dilute if you add too much initially.
Stir Thoroughly: This is crucial. Ensure the cacao is fully melted and emulsified with the coffee for the best taste and texture. A small handheld milk frother can also be used after stirring to create an even smoother consistency.
Sweeten to Your Preference (Optional): Diego's 100% Cacao Block is entirely unsweetened, allowing you to control the sweetness. Add your preferred sweetener (sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc.) to taste after the cacao is melted.
Add Spices for Extra Flavor: A pinch of cinnamon, a drop of vanilla extract, or even a tiny dash of Cobanero chile (for an authentic Guatemalan kick!) can further enhance your cacao coffee.
Milk or Cream Considerations: Add your usual milk, cream, or plant-based alternative as you normally would to your coffee, after the cacao has been fully incorporated.
Cacao Coffee: A Richer Experience Than Just "Brewed Cacao Beans
While the idea of brewing cacao beans or brewing cocoa beans (often meaning husks or nibs) is intriguing for a light chocolate beverage, using Diego's 100% Cacao Block to create your cacao coffee offers a significantly richer, more integrated chocolate flavor. This method allows the pure cacao to truly meld with your coffee, creating a harmonious and full-bodied drink rather than a separate, lighter infusion. You control the intensity, and you benefit from the unadulterated goodness of pure, artisanal cacao.
So, the next time you're brewing your morning cup, remember your secret weapon for an instant upgrade. With our cacao, you're not just making coffee. It's more akin to crafting a little cup of Mayan-inspired luxury, right in your own kitchen.
There's no need to search for "brewed cacao near me" when you can easily become your own artisan cacao coffee barista at home!
Transform your coffee ritual with Diego's Chocolate today!
What's your favorite coffee brewing method, and are you excited to try it with Diego's cacao? Share your experience and tips in the comments below.
