Name: Uganda Semuliki Organic Brewing Cacao
Brand: Chocolate Alchemy
SKU: UGA-SEM-ORG-2025
Price: 11.25 USD
Availability: InStock

Map of Africa made from ground coffee beans with a cup of coffee on a dark background, featuring the word 'Uganda'.

Brewing Cacao isn’t chocolate, and it doesn’t behave like chocolate — but the bean is the same, and the story starts in the same place. The flavor notes you’ll see below come from the chocolate this origin produces, and they’re a useful window into the personality of the bean itself: its fruit, depth, acidity, and all the little quirks that make it interesting.

Just keep in mind that brewed cacao brings those traits forward differently. So treat the notes below as a compass, not a contract. They point you toward what this origin can offer — the real fun is discovering how it expresses itself when you brew it.

Uganda Semuliki Organic Brewing Cacao

I keep thinking Uganda Semuliki can't get any better and the next crop comes in and there is a better than naught chance it is. This is one of those crops.

As always the preparation is perfect similar to previous crops. Very even and no debris to speak of with a beautiful red/auburn color.

The aroma is an intense thick, deep chocolate fudge and chocolate covered dried cherries. And not to be a tease, after the first bite you know it was no false promise. The chocolate flavor is simply huge.

The full, resonant chocolate core (thanks to the significant Amelonado in the mix) quickly gives way to super sweet burnt yet soft caramel and supple leather notes. The bitterness and astringency are incredibly low this time. The whole profile is balanced with a good acidity level to keep it from being flabby and instead brings an incredibly satisfying balance. Finally there is a clean earthiness that brings a glorious deep mouth feel to the whole chocolate.

The impression I'm left with is a thick cherry jam laced chocolate.

Vegan
Non GMO
Gluten Free

- This Brewing cocoa works well in coffee brewers and actually mixed with coffee. Other brewing cocoas can have a tendency to muddy the flavor of coffee I have found, or worse, clog brewing filters or screens. Your mileage may vary, but I’ve found 1:1 ratio wonderful, and if you are just a little careful, so it does not overflow, even straight can work well.

Your tastes may vary but I recommend starting with the following proportions and times: 4 T/8 oz boiling water Steep 5 minutes Press (assuming you are using a press pot - drip works ok too) Enjoy straight, with milk (or cream) and/or sugar.

You can learn more about brewing cocoa from our [Guide To Brewing Cocoa]

Q: Is brewed cacao just hot chocolate?
A: Nope, it is a totally different animal. Brewing cocoa is best thought of as a cocoa tea. Hot chocolate is thinned down sweetened chocolate and has a full, thick mouthfeel. Brewing cocoa is ground whole cocoa beans extracted with hot or cold water so is more like a tea or coffee.

Q: What is the difference between brewed cacao and cocoa powder?
A: Brewing cocoa is whole, roasted cocoa beans coarsely ground up and ready for brewing. Cocoa powder is what is left over after cocoa nibs are pressed and the cocoa butter is removed.

Q: What does brewed cacao taste like?
A: Oh my, what does a blue sky look like? Brewing cocoa is more like a tea or coffee, instead of hot chocolate.

Q: Can I brew cacao powder like coffee?
A: Generally speaking, yes. Pour over. Check. French press. Check. Coffee maker. Mostly. You need more brewing cocoa than coffee so some machines are too small. Espresso. Sadly not.

We have a video about how to brew brewing cocoa, you should watch it.

Q: Is brewed cacao safe?
A: As safe as tea or coffee and some think more so as it has nearly no caffeine.

Q: What are the benefits of drinking brewed cacao?
A: If you are looking for an alternative for coffee and other caffeinated drinks, Brewed Cacao is the droid you have been looking for in that is it virtually caffeine free (less than decaf green tea).

Q: Which is healthier cocoa or cacao?
A: Neither. They are the same. People will tell you tons of things to make it sound fancy or more complicated but cocoa is in English, and Cacao is generally Spanish.

Likewise: Brewing Cocoa = Brewed Cacao

To preserve its freshness and rich flavor, store your brewing cocoa in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Like most cocoa products, it benefits from stable, moderate conditions and should be kept sealed when not in use.

Uganda Semuliki Organic Brewing Cacao

$ 11.25