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Koko Samoa
Hot cocoa drink
Samoan hot drink of roasted cocoa paste
Koko Samoa is the morning drink of Samoa, made from the island's own cocoa beans, roasted over a fire, pounded into a dark paste and dried into blocks sold at Apia's Fugalei market. Dissolved in hot water and sweetened, it is earthy, slightly bitter and rich, with a little oil floating on top, and is drunk with panikeke or buttered bread. If you can't find koko Samoa, use 100% cocoa chocolate. A common mistake is expecting it to be like milky hot chocolate; it is darker and thinner. Chef's tip: simmer it for a few minutes rather than just stirring it in, which brings out the roasted flavour.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 2 ⅛ oz koko Samoa (cocoa paste) or 100% cocoa chocolategrated
- 4 ¼ cups water
- 4 tbsp sugarto taste
- 1 lemon or orange leaf (optional)
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Bring 4 ¼ cups water to the boil with 1 lemon or orange leaf, if using.
2 minStep 2: Whisk in 2 ⅛ oz koko Samoa (cocoa paste) or 100% cocoa chocolate and simmer gently for 5 minutes, whisking, until fully dissolved and dark.
6 minStep 3: Sweeten with 4 tbsp sugar, remove the leaf and pour into mugs.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 120 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 14 g
- Fat
- 8 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does koko Samoa take?
- About 10 minutes in total: 2 minutes to prepare and 8 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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