Crio Bru Brewed Cacao Ecuador French Roast - Coffee Alternative Natural Healthy Drink | 100% Pure Ground Cacao Beans | 99.99% Caffeine Free, Keto, Low Carb, Paleo, Brew And Enjoy Hot or Iced (3lb)

First of all, Kudo's to Ash for pointing out a bialetti can be used as I don't have a french press and did not want to start buying more equipment I may not use beyond a week. I use my stove top bialetti and my aeropress which was recommended by the manufacturer as well in their A and Q. This helped me make the decision to try this.Well, after being a coffee addict for many years I think I really am making the switch at this point. Two days in and no heartburn or palpitations and I slept well last night. The trick is you need to take a caffeine pill (at least I did) while you're transitioning so you don't get nasty withdrawal symptoms. If I go 4 hours after waking without caffeine I get eh nastiest migraine so I new I could not risk that so I bought some vivarin. 200 mgs of caffeine. I know, that means I'm still not off caffeine, BUT that's like 40% of the caffeine I was ingesting when I had my 2 mugs of strong Joe. My goal is to ease of the caffeine and cut the vivarin in half in a couple days. Can't go cold turkey, and hey, if I have to take one caffeine pill a day so be it. Still way less then what I was consuming.I really like the taste with just one packet of stevia and just a splash of cream. It adheres to all my keto and intermittent fasting rules, which are pretty restrictive. Two cups of 3 tablespoons of cacao each comes out just right. The bag will last a decent amount of time making this not so expensive. This really does do the trick for that morning treat and with enough kick. The theobromine in it is practically a happy drug. I never realized caffeine constricts blood vessels until I started researching this. Theobromine dilates blood vessels and increases heart rate in a more positive way. This is like win win all the way for someone who gets nasty heartburn (coffee is pretty acidic) and palpitations, but likes a tasty hot beverage in the morning to start the day.Believe the hype. Just make sure you make it right or you won't maximize the taste and experience. Keep the condiments to much less than you would with coffee too.

I see lots of complaints about how this cacao is watery, doesn’t taste right, etc. There is definitely a learning curve to getting the brew right but well worth it.1. It brews like coffee and will have the same texture as coffee, not nearly as viscous as hot cocoa.2. This is a coarse grind. It needs to bloom. This is why they recommend a French press. Personally, I use the pictured (freshly used) large tea strainer and let it steep in my cup for 10 minutes. Great for single serving, less waste, and easy to clean. I use 1/8 cup of cacao.3. If you want it to look and taste like hot cocoa, add your favorite syrup and creamer.4. If you are like me and had to quit caffeine cold turkey, this will give you energy, but at a lower level than coffee. Kind of takes a while to notice.

I've been off caffeine and coffee for about two months now. I wanted to try cacao as a possible alternative, but I was skeptical of the price & what I'd do with it if I didn't like the taste. But I miss my warm drink in the morning, dangit! As soon as the product arrived in the mail I immediately brewed a cup following the french press directions on the bag: 2 tablespoons, 8oz of boiling water, stir and let it sit for 8mins, stir again then press. I added frothed vanilla almond milk to my mug, poured the Crio Bru on top and took a sip. I was surprised! It tastes just like a rich cup of hot-coco :) without the overpowering sweetness.I don't plan on drinking this straight, so I can't speak on that, but I'm now sooooo excited to have a lil cup of this in the morning. Feels like a holiday treat!

I thought it would have a rich cocoa flavor. Instead it was very bland. I might try to double it and see what happens. Definitely use in a French press vs a coffee make.

I was always a big coffee drinker.I wanted to try other items. I had originally purchased the intro set directly from the company; two 10 oz bags and a French press. I tried it immediately upon receiving it.The first couple of times I tried it, I thought it was just too watery and too boring and really nothing. It was missing fat and sugar for sure I thought. I went ahead and put everything up in the cupboard and ignored it for a few months.About a month ago, my doctor mentioned something about my blood pressure elevating, and I decided to go off coffee entirely. It really wasn't doing anything for me except making me feel nervous.So, I pulled the packages out, but I couldn't find the French press, so I decided to try making it with what I had on hand. (using a fine mesh sieve and a bowl)😳 I shook some of the ground into the sieve, poured hot water over it, and let it kind of sit in its own liquid. I forgot about it for about 20 minutes, but then I came back in and there it was. So, I decided that I would go ahead and give it a try anyway. It's now no longer piping hot, but I'm sure it's pleasant.Well, was I surprised! I can only guess that it needs to sit in the liquid for a period of time! I took a sip, and the flavor was not only so much better, within about a half an hour I was in so much better a mood! I contacted friends and family and I was letting them know about this fabulous thing!Since then I have finished off what I had left. I have ordered the pound and a half bag, and I will be getting a lot more! That was delightful!

We like to blend this 50/50 with our coffee

Expensive but very enjoyable. Prefer over coffee.

I love Crio bru. I have it daily instead of tea or coffee because I cannot have caffeine. Let this steep for 10-15 min in french press and it creates a rich chocolate flavour - like dark bitter chocolate. I like it plain or with steamed milk, and for a treat I spoon in some caramel sauce occasionally. I also steep it with vanilla pods sometimes for more depth of flavour. Its great made in an instantpot as well - then pour into jars to have ready for the week. Have it hot or cold. And reuse the grounds in recipes like brownies or energy balls. Overall, its more expensive than coffee or tea but I love it and have started buying the largest back which will last me about 3 - 4 weeks of daily drinks.

Have to get used to the unsweetened taste of cocoa but once you've made it to your liking it's healthy and delicious

Great substitute for coffee, with just enough caffeine.

But not great either. I guess I just had my expectations to high.If you add the slightest to little cocao or slightly to much water flvour is not there.