Fall has a way of bringing warming spices back into the kitchen, and they pair especially well with cacao. This Honey Chai Cacao combines Illuminating India with honey, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, clove, and black pepper for a creamy, aromatic cacao with layers of sweetness and spice.
Keep reading to discover why Illuminating India pairs so well with these flavors and how to make this Honey Chai Cacao at home.
Savor The Season With Cacao
Why Honey + Chai Spices Pair So Well With Cacao
Chai spices bring layers of flavor to cacao, with each spice adding something a little different. Cinnamon brings warmth and sweetness, ginger adds a subtle spiciness, cardamom gives the blend its floral and woody aromatic character, and small amounts of clove and black pepper add depth. Honey softens the spice and brings a gentle sweetness that lets the richness of the cacao remain at the center.
For this recipe, we chose Illuminating India. Its natural tasting notes of mesquite and honey complement the sweetness and aromatic spices beautifully, while its etheric, spacious qualities make it especially suited for devotional practice, creativity, and flow.
Together, the spices create a cacao that’s fragrant, warming, and layered without becoming overly spiced. Honey and vanilla round out the deeper flavors of the cacao, creating something creamy, aromatic, and just spiced enough for cooler days.
Explore Illuminating India
Honey Chai-Spiced Cacao Recipe
Ingredients:
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20-25 discs of Illuminating India cacao
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6-8 oz oat milk or preferred plant milk
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1-2 tsp honey, or to taste
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1tsp powdered chai blend (we love Blue Lotus’ blends) or make your own:
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¼ tsp ground cinnamon
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⅛ tsp ground ginger
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⅛ tsp ground cardamom
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Small pinch of ground clove
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Small pinch of black pepper
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¼ tsp vanilla extract
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Small pinch of sea salt, if desired
Directions:
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Warm oat milk (or your favorite non-dairy milk) gently to about 180°F without boiling.
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Add warmed oat milk, cacao discs, honey, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, clove, black pepper, vanilla, and sea salt to a blender.
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Blend until completely smooth and frothy, approximately 20 seconds. You can also use a handheld frother instead of a blender.
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Pour into your favorite mug and finish with an optional sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
