Do you watch Dr. Oz? If you do you might remember in September of last year when he did a show and featured “4 New Ways To Burn Fat Faster” especially after 40. The number 3 way to burn fat faster recommended by video guest Jim Karas was to drink Choffy. Well my ears perked up when I heard it was a natural stimulant (Theobromine), boosts metabolism, and contains a fat blocker. Choffy costs about $15 online and is basically just roasted cocoa beans brewed using a French Press. Apparently, Choffy helps you get rid of the fat on your body by blocking the enzyme you need to digest fat, so you never absorb the fat into your body, instead you “poop” it out. It also claims to curb your appetite and satisfies chocolate cravings. Ok…once I heard all the skinny details about the product I had to have it. I contacted a Choffy Rep who put me in touch with a local distributor and I was promised to receive a sample of the tasty beverage. However, I believe the company was slammed with orders and requests after Choffy appeared on Dr. Oz. I never received the sample after talking to the distributor and on the second attempt of contacting her and being told it was in the mail… I gave up.
Weeks and months went by, so I decided to try and make my own Choffy at home. I traveled to my local health food store and purchased raw organic Arriba Nacional cacao beans. Against all the expert advice I read on to never attempt to roast cacao beans at home in your oven, because you risk burning your house down due to the husks being extremely flammable, I did it anyways! I got awesome information on how to prepare and roast cacao beans at chocolatealchemy.com and experimented a little on my own with the temperature and time. Here’s how I made my own version of Choffy.
Raw Organic Cacao Beans
I left the husks on the raw cacao beans and single layered them on a cookie sheet. I preheated the oven on 320 degrees and baked the beans for 30 minutes on that temperature. Then I turned up the heat to 350 degrees and proceeded to bake the beans for an additional 10 minutes. I could hear the beans crackling a bit and watched them the whole time just in case they caught on fire. The entire house filled with the delicious aroma of chocolate and I knew the beans were correctly roasting. I removed them from the oven, waited for the beans to cool, and began removing the husks, which was probably the most time consuming out of the complete process.
Roasted Cacao Beans
Once the beans were entirely peeled, I placed them in my Magic Bullet and coarsely ground them for brewing. I scooped three rounded tablespoons of the freshly ground roasted cacao beans into my French Press and filled it with approximately 12 oz of hot (almost boiling) water. Next I stirred the grounds using a wooden spoon to help release some of the oils, placed the cover back on the French Press, and let them steep for about five minutes. Then I gently pushed down on the plunger to strain the grounds and push them to the bottom of the coffee press. I poured out the freshly brewed cacao beans and enjoyed! YUM!
Freshly roasted ground cacao beans
Brewed cacao beans ready to enjoy!
For over a week I have replaced my usual two cups of coffee with the brewed cacao beans and have noticed a difference in my energy level. I get a boost of energy about an hour after drinking a cup and it lasts until midday. There are all kinds of health claims on the benefits of drinking brewed cacao beans. Even after being roasted they are said to contain 150% more antioxidants than pure pomegranate juice. Additionally, the American Heart Association concluded cocoa has beneficial effects on blood pressure, has shown to improve insulin resistance, and much more! However, I’m just drinking it because I like the taste and the possibility of it boosting my metabolism!
The cost of brewing my own version of “Choffy” was $10.99. compared to the $20 I would have paid to purchase a 12 oz supply and have it shipped to my home. So, I saved money, learned a few things, blocking fat (according to the experts) with a natural substance, increasing my energy level, and drinking something extremely tasty! What’s not to like?
I’ll start where you left off – with your conclusion: What’s not to love. It’s cocao! It’s good for you, rich in anti-oxidants and helpful in burning fat (increasing metabolism – which is especially important to me and my Honey/Hubby, as we both suffer from HypO-Thyroidism so our metabolism always needs a boost (healthy kick in the butt!)
We are also equally committed to both NOT spending/paying a lot of green (as in money -“never pay retail” is our motto too) – while at the same time living as GREEN as possible.
Add to that and the lure of roasting your own cocoa beans and then brewing them – the recommendation/endorsement of Dr Oz himself, should be the clincher – and it would be – but it gets better still:
One way or another, we just happen to have THREE French Press (coffee makers – our favorite way to brew coffee) – but I always love it when I find a new use for something I already have. It just feels good and I can’t wait to try it! Thanks Michelle – I’ll keep you posted!
Thanks for the wonderful idea. I am going to get some and try this. I love that it gives you energy!! I want this. I take a lot of medicine for B/P which makes me tired. This might help!!! I am book marking this page to make soon!!! You are so smart!!! Dr. Oz is neat!!