Jamaican chocolate tea is a rich and strong hot beverage mostly enjoyed at breakfast. Not only a regular breakfast, but breakfast on Christmas morning. Also called, Jamaican Cocoa Tea, it is filled with nutrients and high in caffeine.
I have great memories of waking up to my grandmother boiling cocoa tea and smelling the strong cinnamon and fresh nutmeg. She would wake up at about three in the morning to get the Christmas dinner going and make breakfast in the mix of it all.
What are Some Popular Jamaican Breakfast?
As Jamaicans, we eat anything filling for breakfast. There are two different ends of the spectrum when it comes to breakfasts in Jamaica. Either something light, like bread and some Jamaican cocoa tea or something heavy like Jamaican curry curry and boiled green banana.
Other Popular Breakfast Dishes are:
- Ackee and Saltfish - The National Dish of Jamaica (delicious with some boiled green banana)
- Salt Mackerel
- Curry Chicken
- Peanut Porridge, Cornmeal Porridge, Oatmeal Porridge, or any porridge for that matter. I love porridge.
- Salt Fish and Okra
The Jamaican breakfast possibilities are endless.
Natural chocolate is dried in the sun from freshly picked cocoa pods. I love to eat them in the natural state. The seeds are then dried in the sun for hours, days, weeks and even months. The process of drying takes a lot of patience and that is what makes this chocolate tea so unique.
Jamaican chocolate tea may be confused with hot chocolate and it is not. Hot chocolate has additives and natural chocolate is pure because it is freshly picked and dried. The cocoa pods are harvested from the cocoa tree then cracked open to remove the seeds. This is the initial process you see the any chocolates on the shelves today.
Top 5 Most Natural Chocolate Products
- Anthony's Organic Cocoa Powder, 2 Pound, Gluten Free & Non GMO
- BetterBody Foods Organic Cacao Powder, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free Superfood ( .), Cocoa 16 Ounce
- HERSHEY'S Natural Unsweetened 100% Cocoa Cocoa, Easter Baking Supplies, 8 oz Can (6 Count)
- Ghirardelli Majestic Premium Cocoa Powder, 32 oz
- E Guittard Cocoa Powder, Unsweetened Rouge Red Dutch Process Cocoa, 8oz Can
It is pretty difficult to get the natural raw Jamaican chocolate, unless you live in a tropical area. You can buy try to find them at Caribbean Supermarket or shoot me an email @chefmarshaeatsgmail.com and I will send you an invoice for however amount you would like.
Jamaican Chocolate Tea
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Grater
- Measuring Cups
- Wooden Spoon
- Measuring Spoons
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 Balls Raw Jamaican Chocolate Grated
- 4 Cup Water
- ½ Whole Nutmeg Grated
- ¼ Teaspoon Salt Optional
- 1 Dried Cinnamon Leaf or ½ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 4 Tablespoon Sweetened Condensed Milk or Vegan Condensed Milk
Instructions
- Pour the water in the saucepan and bring to a boil on medium high heat.
- Once to water begins to boil, add the grated cocoa, nutmeg, cinnamon leaf and salt and stir.
- Turn the flame to medium low and allow this chocolate tea to boil for 10 minutes.
- After 10 minutes, turn the flame off and allow the chocolate tea to steep for another 10 minutes with the lid on
- Strain, Sweeten and Serve with your favourite Jamaican Breakfast.
Love your recipes and your instructions are always on point 👍🏼
Am I even Jamaican seeing that I didn't know how to make it? Girl your recipe is so easy to follow! I love it.