Here are five healthy rooibos tea recipes to you get inspired!

• Red Espresso Rooibos Ice Blocks

Refreshing and healthy fruit ice blocks with the added goodness of rooibos!

Red Espresso Rooibos tea

Apple juice

Fresh berries

Make up your Red Espresso Rooibos tea. Slice berries and add to ice block moulds. Fill with two thirds apple juice. Top up with Red Espresso Rooibos tea. Freeze and enjoy!

• Red Espresso Rooibos Smoothie Bowl

Full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals this nutrient-dense smoothie bowl is a great way to start the day.

80ml Red Espresso Rooibos tea

400 grams mango

40 grams raspberries

5 grams goji berries

10g dates

1 teaspoon natural Greek yoghurt

Toppings:

granola

mango

mint leaves

dried rose petals

coconut milk chia balls (30ml coconut milk and 10 grams chia seeds mixed)

Make up your Red Espresso Rooibos tea and add to a blender with the other smoothie bowl ingredients. Blend well and place in a bowl. Decorate with your smoothie bowl toppings. Use our suggestions or come up with your own!

• Red Espresso Rooibos Coconut Refresher

A refreshingly healthy twist on iced tea made from coconut water and Rooibos.

Red Espresso Rooibos tea

Coconut water

Ice

Mint

Lemon

Fill a large glass with ice. Add two thirds coconut water. Top with prepared Red Espresso Rooibos tea. Garnish with mint and lemon.

• Red Espresso Rooibos Chia Pudding

A healthy and so easy chia pudding recipe flavoured with rooibos and cinnamon. Yum!

1/2 cup Red Espresso Rooibos tea

1 teaspoon honey

2 tablespoons chia seeds

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

fresh fruit to serve

Make up your Red Espresso Rooibos tea and dissolve the honey into it. Add the chia seeds and cinnamon and soak overnight in the fridge. Top with fresh fruit to serve.

• Red Espresso Rooibos Apple Chai

A fruity take on chai tea with delicious warming spices and the goodness of rooibos.

3 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon ground cardamom

1/2 tablespoon ground ginger

1/2 tablespoon ground nutmeg

2 tablespoons Red Espresso Rooibos tea

800ml cloudy apple juice

Make up the chai spice mix in a jar. Add 1/2 tablespoon of the chai spice mix and 2 tablespoons of Red Espresso Rooibos tea to a coffee press. Fill with boiling water. Let steep for a few minutes and then press. Heat the apple juice in a saucepan until warm. To serve, place into four cups, 60ml each of the chai rooibos tea into  and top with the apple juice. Serve with a cinnamon stick.

We hope these five healthy rooibos tea recipes get your taste buds singing so you can enjoy all the benefits of Red Espresso Rooibos everyday!

CLICK HERE to view our Red Espresso Rooibos range.

At Crio Bru, we’re big fans of healthy coffee alternatives, so we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of them for you.

Discover your ideal healthy alternative to coffee now.

1. Brewed Cocoa

If you’re after a great tasting and healthy alternative to coffee, we recommend starting with brewed cocoa. Crio Bru’s brewed cocoa is made from 100% premium roasted cocoa beans which means it’s completely natural. It can give you the boost of energy you need to start your day, without all the side effects from your usual caffeine-laden flat white or long black.

2. Rooibos Tea

For a caffeine-free alternative to coffee, it’s hard to beat a Rooibos tea. This healthy South African drink has been around for centuries and is completely natural, caffeine-free, and packed full of antioxidants.

Prefer to stick with something that resembles a coffee? Try the espresso version of Rooibos – Red Espresso Rooibos tea.

3. Superfood Lattes

Superfood buzzwords have been around for years now but did you know you can drink your superfoods too? There are so many options when it comes to superfood lattes – turmeric lattes, beetroot lattes, chai lattes and interesting blends of superfoods like the Lunar Latte (which includes Chamomile, Lavender and Passionflower).
 

4. Chai Tea / Latte

Chai tea is another alternative to coffee and is a flavoured tea made by mixing traditional black tea with aromatic Indian herbs and spices. It can be an acquired taste if you’re not used to drinking herbal teas though. Spices used can include cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and black pepper. Try our delicious Vegan Spiced Chai Latte

5. Green Tea

Full of powerful nutrients and antioxidants, green tea has a reputation as one of the healthiest drinks available today. If you want a health alternative to coffee, green tea can have lots of positive effects on your health compared to coffee. Matcha is 100% green tea leaves that have been ground into a fine powder. It has more of a richer, buttery flavour. Try our premium Matcha Latte .

6. Dandelion Tea

You may have thought dandelions were only good for the rubbish bin as a common garden weed, but they actually have many health benefits when drunk as a tea. There are two ways to use the dandelion plant to make a tea – it could be made from an infusion of the plant leaves or it could be made from roasting the dandelion roots.

7. Herbal Teas

Herbal teas are the obvious healthy alternatives to coffee. There are literally hundreds of herbal teas and blends available in supermarkets, specialty retailers and online today. Try a few to discover what flavours you like best. Some of the most popular herbal teas include peppermint, ginger, chamomile, lemongrass, rosehip, liquorice and hibiscus.

8. Chicory

Another natural alternative to coffee is chicory. The root of the chicory plant is used to make chicory to drink. It is harvested, roasted and then brewed to make a health coffee alternative which is popular across America and Europe. It’s caffeine free, just like brewed cocoa and Rooibos tea.

9. Apple Cider Vinegar

For health benefits, you could consider switching your daily coffee to a mug of hot water and apple cider vinegar. It is definitely an acquired taste but you can add a spoon of natural honey to sweeten the taste until you are used to it.

10. Hot Water & Lemon

Plain old hot water with a slice or squeeze of lemon shouldn’t be overlooked as a coffee alternative. Like Cocao and Rooibos, lemons are packed with antioxidants and flavonoids which have been linked to multiple health benefits.

If you’re ready to try a healthy alternative to coffee, browse our website now and discover our healthy Rooibos tea, brewed cocoa and superfood lattes.

But just why is the world falling in love with this traditional South African hot drink?

We are often asked 'What Is Rooibos Tea Good for?' Here are some of the many benefits of drinking Rooibos Tea.

VIEW THE RED ESPRESSO ROOIBOS RANGE HERE  

11 Top benefits of Rooibos tea

Let’s take a look at just some of the benefits of Rooibos tea.

Completely Natural

Rooibos tea contains no additives, preservatives or colourants. In this day and age when people are concerned about what goes into their bodies, Rooibos is a completely natural and healthy drink option.

Caffeine Free

With zero caffeine, there are no negative side effects from drinking rooibos that you may experience when consuming too much caffeine. If you want to give up caffeine, Rooibos could be the perfect substitute for you.

Low Tannin Levels

Tannins have been associated with digestion issues in some instances, usually if large quantities are consumed. Regular tea has much higher levels of tannins than Rooibos, so make the switch today and see what changes you notice.

No Oxalic Acid

Unlike black tea, Rooibos tea contains no oxalic acid. High levels of oxalic acid have been associated with an increased risk of kidney stones. If you have kidney issues, switching from other types of teas to Rooibos is a good option.

Full Of Antioxidants

Rooibos tea is packed full of natural antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to fight off conditions associated with the aging process, as well as other diseases such as heart disease and some cancers.

Great For Heart Health

Because of the high levels of antioxidants in Rooibos, it’s a great drink for anyone who wants to keep their heart healthy. Studies have shown that it could also contribute to healthy cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure.

Good For Diabetics

Animal studies have suggested that one particular antioxidant in Rooibos, aspalathin, could help to lower blood sugar level . This could be good news for diabetics but still needs further evidence in humans.

May Reduce Cancer Risk

Even though there are no human studies or trials regarding Rooibos and cancer, the tea does contain antioxidants which have been proved to kill cancer cells and prevent the growth of tumours. More studies in humans are needed, but Rooibos does contain small levels of the cancer-fighting antioxidants quercetin and luteolin.

Aids Digestion

One of the main reasons many people make the switch from tea or coffee to Rooibos is to aid their digestion. Because it is completely natural with no processed ingredients, it can help to ensure that your digestion is optimal.

Aids Weight Loss

A study by a group of South African researchers discovered that drinking rooibos caused an increased level of leptin secretion. Leptin is the hormone that helps your body to know when it is full, so it follows that drinking rooibos could help you feel fuller and eat less.

Keeps Hair & Skin Healthy

Thanks to all the antioxidants in Rooibos tea, your body can naturally fight the aging process and keep your hair and skin looking younger and healthier.

These are just 11 benefits of Rooibos tea – so what are you waiting for? Get on the Rooibos bandwagon now!

Red Espresso is the World's first rooibos tea espresso so it is perfect for your espresso machine or plunger and with 10 x more antioxidants than regular Rooibos this earthy tea is jam packed with goodness.  We love that our Rooibos products are loose leaf too, so no need to worry about what your tea bag is made from.  And it is delicious hot or cold! 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR  Rooibos products online. 

#1 Better Energy

A cup of coffee with butter added to it changes how your body processes caffeine. Coffee has long been hailed as the “go-to” option for a caffeinated energy boost in the morning. But the new trend in adding butter to your coffee offers this same boost with a nice new twist. First, the coffee becomes frothier and more satiating causing you to pace yourself as you drink your coffee. This slower, more even intake of caffeine helps you avoid the “5 hour energy” spike you normally get when you drink your coffee fast.

Second, adding butter to coffee offers a built in “slow release” mechanism for caffeine. When you normally drink coffee, the caffeine is released immediately into you body which causes a spike and can leave you feeling jittery. When add butter to coffee, the fat in the butter breaks down into micelles or small droplets which bind to caffeine molecules. Since fat takes longer for your body to process, the fat allows the caffeine to be released more slowly and evenly into your system. Voila! You get the energy boost from caffeine without the harsh spike and crash. Learn more at Bulletproofcoffee.com here.

A cup of brewed cacao with butter will also slow the intake of caffeine. But because brewed cacao is 99.9% caffeine free and has only 15mg of caffeine (less than decaf) per cup, the “slow release” that you get from butter isn’t needed. However, brewed cacao offers a nice energy alternative for your mornings. Brewed cacao contains theobromine, a naturally occurring stimulant found in cacao that can be more pleasant and longer lasting than caffeine. Unlike caffeine, theobromine is not a central nervous system stimulant and therefore doesn’t typically make you feel as on edge or jittery. Learn more about brewed cacao here.

#2 Better Weight Management

Studies have shown that obese people have high proportion of the bacteria firmicute in their system vs. thin people. Thin people also show to have a larger proportion of bacteroidetes bacteria. Nutrition experts suggest that a wonderful weight management tool is to feed the “thin bacteria” and starve the “obese bacteria” in your body. The polyphenal antioxidants found in butter are a great food source for bacteroidetes or “ thin bacteria” and is one important component help up by paleo and keto advocates as the pathway to a healthy weight.

Brewed cacao is even higher in polyphenal antioxidants than butter and is hailed as a polyphenal super food to help you manage a healthy weight. What’s more is that cacao also acts as a natural appetite suppressant that helps curb your appetite and promotes weight loss.Cacao stimulates serotonin production in the brain which helps suppress your appetite and can result in consuming less calories in the long run. So when you add butter and cacao together, you’re looking at a weight management super drink

#3 Better Mental performance

Adding butter to your coffee or brewed cacao also increases mental performance. Butter provides amazing fuel for your body on a low carb diet. The fatty acids in butter work to provide better fuel for your brain (mitochondrial biogenesis) as well has better neurotransmitter balance in brain function. Consistently consuming high fat low carb food and drink also increases blood flow to your brain. These factors work to improve mental clarity and can make you feel great.

As with weight management, cacao by itself contributes to increased mental performance. Theobromine that is found in cacao can help with brain function and helps to improve focus. In one study, after consuming cacao beverages, participants that were assigned certain tasks showed more interested and demonstrated greater calmness. By adding a higher fat butter into brewed cacao, you’re complimenting the nutritional content that already exists to contribute to mental performance

#4 Better Taste

Finally adding butter to your coffee or brewed cacao tastes amazing. If you think you enjoyed your morning drink routine, wait until you add butter. Butter adds a frothy mouth feel and flavour. You’ll look forward to your mornings like never before.

That’s it! So does adding butter to your morning coffee or brewed cacao really make you bulletproof? Pretty much.

Want a Dairy Free Option?

Try Substituting the butter for Cocao butter - we think it is delicious! 

Bulletproof Recipes We Love

SKINNYMIXERS -  THERMOMIX BULLET PROOF CRIO

BLENDER BABES - VEGAN, SPICY COCONUT & ORIGINAL

References

 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21130529

 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5102...

Scholey, A. B., French, S. J., Morris, P. J., Kennedy, D. O., Milne, A. L., & Haskell, C. F. (2010)

 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21839757

What is Serotonin?

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, or a chemical your nerves produce. It has a number of functions in the body, including helping to move food through your intestines, constricting blood vessels and influencing your mood. Normal blood levels of serotonin range from 101 to 283 nanograms per milliliter. Higher or lower levels could indicate health issues.

Chocolate containing 85% cocoa has the most serotonin, with 2.9 micrograms per gram, and chocolate containing 70 to 85% cocoa has the most of the serotonin precursor L-tryptophan, with 13.3 micrograms per gram, according to a study published in "Journal of Chromatography A" in April 2012. Choose this type of chocolate if you are seeking health benefits from serotonin.

Dark chocolate consumption may decrease the effects of chronic fatigue syndrome, perhaps due to either the flavonoid content or the increase in serotonin levels since these are typically low in people who suffer from this condition, according to a study published in "Nutrition Journal" in 2010. Cancer patients who consumed 50 grams of dark chocolate for three days had fewer depression and anxiety symptoms, note the authors of a study published in 2012 in the "Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry." Another study, published in the "ASEAN Journal of Psychiatry" in 2011, found that trainee nurses who consumed 50 grams of dark chocolate for three days had fewer symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression.

So… with Crio Brü being 100% roasted and ground cocoa beans, it’s another great reason to ‘Brew the Brü’ every day. We receive so much positive feedback from our amazing customers 

A question that we are often asked is ‘What is the difference between store bought cocoa powder and Crio Brü? – Read all about it here.

To read more of the above article, please check out - http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/dark-chocolate-se...

To read more about Theobromine in Cocoa - read our previous Blog post here.

A quick and convenient option is available too - read all about Theobromine Powder here

In a nutshell, what is Crio Brü?

Crio Brü is a healthy and delicious coffee alternative made from 100% roasted and ground cocoa beans. It offers sky high antioxidant value, mineral benefits and natural ‘honest energy’ resulting from its Theobromine content. It is less acidic than coffee so a more gentle option for those who need to replace their morning brew but still want to feel some of the energy benefits.

How does its antioxidant content measure up to coffee and tea?

The ORAC score for a cup of brewed Crio Brü is 8500 IU for a 250ml cup. This does not include the antioxidants found in the used cocoa grounds which can be added to smoothies, oatmeal, brownies, etc. This compares similarly to a cup of cranberries.

Is Crio Brü an all-natural product?

 Yes, Crio Brü is a brewed drink made from 100% cacao beans (also known as cocoa beans), roasted to perfection. Named after the most prized of cacao beans, the Criollo, Crio Brü will astound your taste buds with its complex chocolaty flavours and subtle aromas which come right from the cacao bean itself! It is 100% natural and 100% pure.

Crio Brü is the ultimate superfood. It is low in calories and contains no sugar, no fat, no dairy, no sodium, no cholesterol and practically no caffeine, yet is extremely high in antioxidants, theobromine and a host of other vitamins and minerals.

Does it contain any sweeteners?

No it is 100% pure cacao beans.

What’s Crio Brü’s caffeine content?

 Depending on the type of cacao bean it is made from, it either contains little to no caffeine or trace amounts. The misconception that chocolate (cacao) contains caffeine is based primarily on confusion between two similar alkaloids: caffeine and theobromine. The two stimulants are related and have similar chemical structures, but possess very different properties, effects and origins.

Theobromine clearly has stimulant properties, so perhaps people reflexively attribute those effects to caffeine, even though many of the effects are fundamentally different from caffeine. Perhaps when referring to caffeine, they intend to reference an entire class of chemicals called xanthines, of which caffeine is but one example.

The amount of xanthines present in cacao is highly dependent on the variety of cacao bean that is used. There are three main varieties of cacao: criollo, trinatario and forastero. Criollo beans account for 1-2% of the world’s cacao, trinatario beans for around 10-20% and the rest are forastero. Criollo beans have the highest amount of theobromine but also contain trace amounts of caffeine whereas trinatario and forastero, typically, have little to no caffeine.

Theobromine and caffeine are similarly constructed types of pharmacologically active chemicals but with noticeably different effects. Theobromine is gentle, mild, has a slow onset, is long lasting and non-addictive whereas caffeine is intense, strong, fast acting, short lived and addictive.

Crio Brü is 100% pure cacao. A typical sample of cacao beans will yield anywhere from zero caffeine to 1,000 parts per million of caffeine (less than 1/20^th of the caffeine present in coffee). Crio Brü provides long lasting energy and promotes whole body wellness without the negative effects found in other drinks.

Is Crio Brü bitter like cacao?

 Crio Brü has a very unique taste. The consistency can be likened more to tea than to coffee and once you are brewing it you smell the rich chocolaty aroma but when you taste is it is bitter like a 90% chocolate bar. Remember it is just 100% chocolate brewed in water – nothing added! Whilst this appeals to many customers, it does take some getting used to for others and they start off by adding creamer and a sweetener of choice. This then lifts the flavour to something your palette recognises as chocolate. After some time many customers drop the sugar and/or creamer and drink it more in its natural state. This is the great thing about Crio Brü – you get to choose exactly what to add – whether it be sugar, maple syrup, coconut oil, etc.

 How is Crio Brü brewed to serve?

 It needs to be fully immersed and brewed slowly to bring out its rich, strong flavour. A French press is probably the most popular way. We prefer insulated brewing equipment and that is why we sell accessories that are double walled to enable the Brü to keep hotter for longer. There are so many ways to ‘Brew the Brü’ and simply simmering in hot milk like a Chai is also a very popular option.

What flavours is Crio Brü available in?

Crio Brü is available in 8 different varietals; these range from where the beans are grown in the world and pick up the flavour from what they are grown near (similar to terroir as in grapes). Three of the flavours have something added – Mint, Maya and Pumpkin Spice – whereas the other five are completely 100% cacao beans. Cavalla is our most popular flavour and the flagship of the range. Cavalla French Roast has been roasted a bit longer and would be the most similar to coffee if we had to pick one.

What makes Crio Brü such a great Coffee Substitute?

Crio Brü is both a new drink and an ancient one. Ka'kao was an everyday drink of the kings and peoples of the great Incas, Mayans, Olmecs and Aztecs for hundreds of years, but was changed when the Old World met the New. The incredible health properties of cacao are currently lost in the process of making modern chocolate, but with Crio Brü, they are preserved.

Many people have difficulty drinking coffee over time due to the specific types of acids it contains: tannic acid, aliphatic acid, chlorogenic acid, phenolic acid and alicyclic acid. Cocoa is known to have different type of acids: stearic acid, palmitic acid, oxalic acid and phytic acid.

We have found that individuals that could no longer drink coffee have no problem drinking Crio. You may need to drink a small amount in the beginning, to be sure. If you are concerned about a medical issue, we encourage you to speak with your doctor before trying it.

Original article here - https://finefoodwholesalers.com.au/article-view/c...

We LOVE hearing from customers and Crio enthusiasts alike about their Crio Brü journey and what led them to look for a Healthy Coffee Alternative. We hope you find the following articles as interesting as we do.

Sonja - Living with the Fibro Troll
Coffee Alternatives
I love coffee! Those magical beans that when you roast them, grind them and pour hot water through them, transforms that water into a delicious, dark, bitter elixir of life. Add some frothy milk and I’m in heaven. Unfortunately coffee is not my friend. It gives me fake energy. I think I can do more than I can and it drains me.
READ MORE

Andrea  - Wholehearted Family Health
Struggling to cut the caffeine? There is a healthier alternative…
Fatigue and even sheer exhaustion are challenges mums and mums-to-be commonly face. It can make us grumpy, impatient with the kids and generally miserable. The temptation to reach for another caffeine hit is always there.
There are a few reasons why this isn’t always the healthiest idea.
READ MORE

Janis' Journal - Eclectic Reviews of a Busy Mum
Now, Followers of my Reviews will know that I don't drink Coffee (it gives me headaches and heart palpitations),
but I did miss coffee very much ... which is why I absolutely love Crio Brü as it's like having a coffee, but not.
READ MORE

Cacao is one of the most cultivated plant species in the whole world, and an ingredient used in countless products. Each application for cacao comes with a different form of processing and refinement. The chocolate bars of our childhood actually contain very little raw cacao; instead it's primarily sugar and artificial flavors.

Over the past 20 years, as the public has become more educated to the dangers of foreign additives, consumers' tastes have shifted to natural alternatives with fewer ingredients.

However, the work is not done; often we get the question:

"What is the difference between cocoa powder, and a cacao product like Crio Bru?"

Cocoa powder is made by grinding the bean into cocoa liquor, which is then pressed to remove the cocoa butter. The remaining cocoa solids are 10-20% cocoa butter, but are dry enough to finely grind into a powder. This process is time consuming and usually additives are present. What does that all mean? The powder you find in a can at your local grocer only has a small fraction of the original health properties.

Crio Bru on the other hand is a 100% cacao product, that means the only substance present is whole cacao, nothing is removed or added. Even the shells are left in and all the cocao butter remains to enrich the brewing process, and retain its plentiful health benefits.

It has been a positive movement for consumers to get educated about the ingredients in food and drinks. Next time you're considering which cocoa product is right for you, remember the difference between whole nutrition and a fraction.

Because of the precise, constant temperature, brewing Crio Brü in theThermomix is ideal  and one of the most popular ways. It results in a rich, deep cup of Brü and is so easy to do : 

   How To Make Crio Brü in your Thermal Mixer

1. Place 50g into bowl with 8-900g water and cook for 10 min/90°C/speed 2.
2. Whiz for 10 sec/speed 5.
3. Press with coffee plunger/French Press or simply pour through a tea strainer
4. Serve and enjoy! Just as with coffee, adjust to personal taste with creamer and/or sweetener.

Above is the BASIC way to brew a plain cup but as many of you will know, the Thermomix World of recipe creators is amazing and we have some super talented Thermomix guru's out there sharing their magic with the World. We are fortunate to work with many of them and will elaborate more on recipes in another blog post but the following 'super charged' ways to Brew Crio in a Thermomix are recipes that you have to know about!

SKINNYMIXER'S BULLET PROOF CRIO 

SKINNYMIXER'S CHAI CRIO BRU

SKINNYMIXERS TURMERIC BRU

Not drinks but you still need to check these out !

THERMOBEXTA'S CRIO SESAME BARS

SKINNYMIXER'S MEXICAN CRIO CHICKEN

We hope you get some inspiration from these amazing Thermo Queens!

Make sure you show them some Crio Love!

ARE YOU NEW TO CRIO BRU? WE RECOMMEND STARTING WITH CAVALLA - READ ALL REVIEWS

GET 10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER WITH THE CODE THERMO - VALID ON ALL PRODUCTS VIEW HERE

Is there caffeine in Crio Brü? This is one of the most common questions we are asked on a daily basis. And rightly so we think as most people that are looking for a coffee alternative are doing it because of the need  - whether self diagnosed or from professional advice,  to limit their caffeine intake and are on the look out for a low caffeine coffee replacement.

Well, great news for you! Depending on the beans used (as you may not know we source our beans from all over the World and this is why we can offer you such a great variety of strength and flavour notes in our Brü range). So coming back to that great news .....Depending on the type of beans used, your Brü will contain little to no traces of caffeine and the beans that do pick up a trace amount, when tested have shown to be less than a cup of decaf coffee! It's also non-addictive and provides Honest Energy™ so you get the boost without the ups and downs and no jitters - your adrenals will appreciate the love!  

The misconception that chocolate (cacao) contains caffeine is is based primarily on confusion between two similar alkaloids: caffeine and theobromine. The two stimulants are related and have similar chemical structures, but possess very different properties, effects and origins.

So, next time you are looking for that energy boost that is associated with a cup of coffee  - reach for a cup of Crio Brü instead, jam packed full of antioxidents with a very high magnesium content you can even be reaching for it from your bed stand! We have many Crio'ers that drink a cuppa at night and mention to us that the magnesium content helps them to sleep better. And most of us have seen those reports claiming that SO many of us are magnesium deficient, well we think a cup of brewed chocolate definitely hits the spot a lot better than alternative supplements on offer - Who would agree?

So that's the low down from the choc-oholics anonymous corner of the office over here but for a more technical explanation  - here are some 'wiki facts' about Theobromine : 

Theobromine, formerly known as xantheose, is a bitter alkaloid of the cocao plant.It is found in chocolate, as well as in a number of other foods, including the leaves of the tea plant, and the kola (or cola) nut. It is classified as a xanthine alkaloid which also include the similar compounds theophylline and caffeine. The compounds differ in that caffeine has an extra methyl group..

Despite its name, the compound contains no bromine —theobromine is derived from Theobroma, the name of the  genus of the cacao tree, (which itself is made up of the Greek roots theo (" god") and broma ("food"), meaning "food of the gods" with the suffix -ine given to alkaloids and other basic nitrogen-containing compounds.

It has an effect similar to, but lesser than, that of  caffeine in the human nervous system, making it a lesser homologue.

In a nutshell - If you want to drink like an Ancient Inca god, feel full of energy without the jitters, reach for a Brü today (and tonight, and tomorrow ... get the gist???)

New to Crio Brü? Want to know Which Crio Bru flavour should I start with? We always recommend the flagship flavour - Cavalla, it is also the most popular choice for children - see reviews on Cavalla here