Cacao Ginger Latte

Coffee may give an instant energy boost. But long term it depletes our energy by disrupting cortisol, throwing off blood sugar balance and impacting sleep. So if you’re struggling with any kind of hormone imbalance – it’s really best avoided!

At The Complex Health Community we prefer a gentler stimulant to start the day: cacao!

Cacao does include some caffeine, but about a quarter of the amount found in coffee. It’s rich in magnesium, which has multiple benefits for our hormones, and in its raw form cacao can be a great source of antioxidants like polyphenols and flavanols.

Combined with ginger, this is the perfect latte  to consume during menstruation – the ginger has been shown to ease cramps and nausea, and the magnesium in the cacao can also reduce cramping. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup of unsweetened cashew milk (homemade or we like Plenish)

• 1 tbsp of raw cacao powder

• 1-2 tsp of organic honey

• A small pinch of salt

• 1 cm piece of fresh ginger, peeled

• Optional hormone superfood additions: 1tsp of shatavari powder (for a hormone boost) OR 1 tsp of ashwagandha powder (for nervous system balance) OR 1 tsp of Reishi mushroom extract (for our PCOS clients with a 5a preference)

Method

• Blend all the ingredients together in a blender

• Strain through a sieve into a saucepan and warm over a gentle heat (or use a milk frother)

When to drink

• Because of the caffeine content, it’s best consumed in the morning.