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Home » Homegrown Eats » Simple and Nourishing Cacao Nib Tea Recipe

Simple and Nourishing Cacao Nib Tea Recipe

Nico · October 27, 2022 · Leave a Comment

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Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico

Home » Homegrown Eats » Simple and Nourishing Cacao Nib Tea Recipe

Using only 4 simple ingredients, cacao nib tea is a warming beverage to enjoy on a cold day. Full of healthy antioxidants, it is tasty and nourishing for the body.

An overhead shot of cacao nib tea in a cream pottery mug on a light countertop.

If you’re a fan of hot cocoa (or hot chocolate with cacao), you will probably also enjoy cacao nib tea. It has a subtly sweet and chocolatey flavor that tastes wonderful with no added sugar. It’s a great drink to satisfy your chocolate cravings!

Cacao nibs are great sources of healthy fats and have a range of anti-inflammatory properties. The nibs also contain compounds that can increase feel-good chemicals in your brain which can result in an elevated mood. They are a good staple to have on hand to make hot chocolate or tea, throw into brownies, or even into homemade granola.

Table of Contents

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  • What are cacao nibs?
  • Health benefits of cacao nibs
  • Difference between cocoa and cacao
  • Watch The Video
  • How to make cacao nib tea
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • What to read next
  • Save for later
  • Find us elsewhere…
  • Simple and Nourishing Cacao Nib Tea Recipe

What are cacao nibs?

Cacao nibs (often mistakenly referred to as cocoa nibs) are small pieces of crushed cacao beans, the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree. The nibs are obtained by removing the outer cacao husks of the beans and breaking them into smaller fragments. They are found in tropical climates in Central and South America. 

Health benefits of cacao nibs

Rich in antioxidants – the nibs have high levels of flavonoids like epicatechin which combat oxidative stress in the body and reduce inflammation.

Can improve heart health – Flavonoids can also lower blood pressure and improve blood flow.

Can boost mood – Contains theobromine and phenylethylamine, which can improve mood and increase energy levels.

High in magnesium – Magnesium helps to support muscle and nerve function, energy production, and bone health. Just one ounce of cacao nibs contains about 64 mg of magnesium!

Supports cognitive function – Flavonoids may enhance brain function and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases by improving blood flow to the brain.

Difference between cocoa and cacao

Cacao is raw and minimally processed, meaning the nibs retain higher levels of antioxidants and nutrients. They also have a more bitter flavor. Cocoa is a more processed product that has been roasted. This helps to reduce the bitterness but it lowers the nutritional value.

Watch The Video

How to make cacao nib tea

Tools

French press or small saucepan

Mug

Ingredients

Cacao nibs (I buy these organic cacao nibs in bulk)

Hot water

Honey or maple syrup – I buy this maple syrup in bulk

Optional – vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks, dried oranges

Optional – choice of herbal or caffeinated tea (for example black tea or green tea)

For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

An overhead shot of a hand holding raw cacao nibs. There is a silver saucepan in the background.

Instructions

Cacao nib tea is especially nutritious because steeping the nibs can help to release the healthy compounds. Here’s how to make it!

You can use a small saucepan or a french press to make this. 

I don’t have a french press, so I am using a small saucepan to make this tea. Add the nibs to a small saucepan and add the water. 

An overhead shot of raw cacao nibs in a pottery bowl on a light countertop.

Bring the water to a boil, reduce the temperature, and simmer the nibs for 10 minutes. The best way to add further flavour to your final tea is to add loose-leaf tea, cinnamon, or vanilla beans to simmer alongside the nibs. I like to add a small cinnamon stick and dried oranges when I have them on hand.

You can simmer the cacao tea blend for even longer but you will need to increase how much water you start with. The longer you boil, the more flavourful your tea will be.

If you’re using a french press, the first thing to do is to boil water in a kettle. 

Pour the hot water over the nibs and allow them to steep for at least 10 minutes. Add loose-leaf tea, cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, or dried oranges into the french press to steep alongside the nibs. 

After 10 minutes (or so) strain off the tea into a mug. 

Add a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey to the cup of tea to suit your personal taste. 

That’s it, enjoy!

An overhead shot of raw cacao nibs in cheesecloth.

What to read next

Immune Boosting Hot Chocolate With Cacao

Save for later

An overhead shot of a hand holding raw cacao nibs. There is a silver saucepan in the background. An overhead shot of cacao nib tea in a cream pottery mug on a light countertop.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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An overhead shot of cacao nib tea in a cream pottery mug on a light countertop.
Nico

Simple and Nourishing Cacao Nib Tea Recipe

Using only 4 simple ingredients, cacao nib tea is a warming beverage to enjoy on a cold day. Full of healthy antioxidants, it is tasty and nourishing for the body.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Servings: 1 Serving
Course: Homegrown Eats
Calories: 197
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons - cacao nibs
  • 3 cups - water
  • 1 teaspoon - honey or maple syrup
  • Optional - additional flavourings like vanilla beans cinnamon sticks, dried oranges
  • Optional - 1 tablespoon of loose-leaf herbal or caffeinated tea for example black tea or green tea

Equipment

  • Cacao Nibs, 16oz. Bag, 15 Servings - Organic, Non-GMO, Fair Trade, Gluten-Free
  • Butternut Mountain Farm Pure Vermont Maple Syrup, Grade A, 32 Fl Oz, 1 Qt

Method
 

  1. Add the nibs to a small saucepan and add the water. 
  2. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the temperature, and simmer the nibs for 10 minutes. Add loose-leaf tea or flavourings at this point.
  3. You can simmer the cacao tea blend for even longer but you will need to increase how much water you start with. The longer you boil, the more flavourful your tea will be.
  4. If you’re using a french press, the first thing to do is to boil water in a kettle. 
  5. Pour the hot water over the nibs and allow them to steep for at least 10 minutes. Add loose-leaf tea, cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, or dried oranges into the french press to steep alongside the nibs. 
  6. After 10 minutes (or so) strain off the tea into a mug. 
  7. Add a teaspoon of maple syrup or honey to the cup of tea to suit your personal taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 197kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 34mgFiber: 3gSugar: 21g

Video

Notes

Cacao nibs are great sources of healthy fats and have a range of anti-inflammatory properties. The nibs also contain compounds that can increase feel-good chemicals in your brain which can result in an elevated mood.

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Welcome!

I’m Nico! I’m all about simple, healing tinctures & other natural remedies. Read more about me here.

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