With the arrival of December, arrives the excitement for Christmas. It is that time of the year when everyone exchanges gifts with their loved ones alongside having a lot of mouth-watering sweets and drinks.
Hot chocolate is something everyone loves. However, with the coming of cold and brisk winds of the winter, it is highly essential to keep yourself warm and healthy so that you can comfortably enjoy the delights of Christmas.
When it comes to hot chocolate, numerous things can be added to it other than just marshmallows.
In this blog, we’ll tell you about various spices that can provide much-needed warmth while also balancing the vata in the winter.
They provide a variety of health benefits as well as a distinct flavor to your hot chocolate. Besides that, it has many medicinal properties. Its warming property can help treat coughs and colds.
Tikta (bitter) nature can help prevent diabetes. Research shows that it can even lower cholesterol levels.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is another spice that can be added to our hot chocolate. Its ayurvedic properties can help manage problems related to the stomach like indigestion.
Its deepan and pachan properties can help improve digestive fire that can help digest food easily. It acts as a natural detoxifier and cleanses your body from within.
It can help quench excess thirst and treats dehydration. Its bitter taste can help cure diabetes and treat urinary infections.
Clove
Clove is another excellent spice that holds a special place in Ayurveda. It is popularly known for getting rid of bad breath.
It can treat cough, sore throat, and other cold symptoms. It has been used for thousands of years to treat fever and flu.
It has also been proven to be a natural detoxifier that helps remove toxins and cleanse the body. Its analgesic quality can relieve any sort of pain.
It can ease your discomfort caused by indigestion, bloating, and excessive gas. Packed with antioxidants, it can help you stay healthy and disease-free.
Saffron
This potent golden-red ingredient is well known for benefiting your health and well-being. It can uplift your mood and fight moderate to mild depression. It can reduce unhealthy cravings and promote healthy weight loss.
It works as an effective tonic for colds and coughs due to its warm nature. Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome like cramps and bloating can be treated with kesar.
It balances all three doshas while improving immune health. It is renowned for improving skin health and effectively reducing blemishes, pigmentation and acne.
Ginger Powder
Ginger is another popular hot spice that can keep you warm in winter. Gingerol has immense antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Its analgesic properties can relieve different types of pain like joint pain, headache, and menstrual pain.
It can energize you, leaving you with enough power to shield your body from various unhealthy diseases and infections. It can relieve nausea and morning sickness.
Here’s our recipe for hot chocolate that you can try.
Recipe:
- PREP TIME: 5 TO 10 MINUTES
- SERVINGS: 1
Ingredient Required:
- A cup of milk
- Half cup of dark chocolate
- 1/4th tsp of nutmeg powder
- 1/4th tsp of ginger powder
- 4-5 strands of saffron
- 3-4 Cloves
- A cinnamon stick
- 1 Star anise
- 1 Tsp of cocoa Powder
- 1 Teaspoon of powdered mishri
- Marshmallows (Optional)
Steps:
- Bring some water to a boil in a vessel for two to three minutes.
- The boiled water can then be flavored by adding clove, saffron, ginger powder, and nutmeg powder.
- Strain the boiled water into a pan.
- Next, add a cup of milk to the water.
- Gradually stir it after adding the chocolate, cinnamon stick and star anise.
- Add cocoa powder while continuously stirring with the help of a whisk.
- Continue stirring it until it thickens.
- Pour it into your desired mug and savor the taste of this special hot chocolate.
- You’re now ready to enjoy an Ayurvedic-spiced hot chocolate. Enjoy your delicious drink.