Cacao Shell Tea

Description

Martha Washington enjoyed drinking cacao shell tea, which she made from roasted shells and sipped at breakfast. George Washington wrote to his agent, “She will, . . . thank you to get 20 Lbs of the shells of Cocoa nuts, if they can be had of the Chocolate makers."

• Tasting notes: Aroma of toast before brewing. Steeping in hot water unleashes a tonic of chocolate. The brew yields a full-bodied, slightly bitter infusion with strong notes of chocolate, and light flavors of melon.  
• Caffeine: Cacao shell tea is caffeine-free, but it does contain other natural stimulants.  
• Brewing:  Suggested serving per 10oz cup:  2 tsp, 195 degrees.  Cacao shells take 10 minutes to infuse their full flavor.