Brewed Chocolate? Choffy!

You know how coffee starts out as beans, and they roast them and then they (or you) grind them, and then you brew it and then you have coffee?  Imagine all that, except with cacao beans....the ones that are used to make chocolate.

Friends, meet Choffy.


I was goofing off on facebook doing research on the computer one day and an ad popped up for 'brewed chocolate'.  What?  Clickety-click, and I'm looking at a site for a product that sounds to me like heaven in a cup.  Being me, I got hold of the local Choffy distributor, trolling for a sample.  Terra (that's her name) was very nice and sent me some Choffy to try.  She even sent me this super cool cup to brew it in! 



Let me say that I love the smell of coffee beans, but I don't like coffee.  It's too bitter and strong and unless I'm adding cold coffee to a chocolate cake recipe, I don't use coffee at all.  I tell you that because when it came to trying Choffy, I didn't quite know what to expect.  Would it be thick and rich and gooey like drinkable chocolate?  Would it be anything like chocolate at all? 

Having eaten a lot of chocolate in my life, I did already know that the sweetness in chocolate is an added product - it's not naturally sweet, or else that 80% cacao bar that I bought that time would have tasted more like yum and less like dirt.  Choffy itself is not sweet either - just like coffee itself is not sweet....but at least it didn't taste like dirt!  If you want it to be sweet, just add sweetener.

What about the creamy smoothness of milk chocolate?  Would it be like that?  Well, they call it 'milk chocolate' because they add milk to it.  So, just like coffee, if you want it to be creamy, add some milk or cream. 

I followed the instructions that came with my sample.  When I opened the packet, the scent was heavenly.  Oh my...I wanted to live in that packet!  I heated the water, brewed the Choffy as directed, and then I did the right thing (for me) - I added some french vanilla flavored creamer. 

The ground Choffee is still in the cup, with the water....

...but this nifty lid with a built-in filter keeps the grounds isolated.


Push down the plunger and Choffy is ready to drink. 
It can be made with a French Press
 (this cup is like a mini one-use French Press)
or a drip coffee maker with a stainless filter.

I didn't quite know what to expect.  I was pleasantly surprised!  For one thing, the aroma is phenomenal the whole time.  I could smell chocolate in the kitchen, in the car, in the library...and so could other people.  The taste is hard for me to describe.  It's a very deep chocolate sort of flavor, but it doesn't linger the way actual chocolate lingers, because it's a liquid, and doesn't have the cocoa butter. 

According to the info put out by the Choffy company, it is a great source of antioxidants and the stimulant, theobromine, is a better option than caffeine.  You can control the sweetness/creaminess just like you would with coffee.  I never felt 'buzzed' (I have felt that the times that I tried to 'take up coffee') or jittery.  I don't like coffee, and I don't like tea, but I really did enjoy the Choffy.  If you are 'addicted to coffee' this sounds like it's a healthier alternative.  It should store well long-term, too.  I'm also wondering if there's a way to use this to infuse recipes...it's something I want to experiment with, for sure!



Now here's the cool part.  Terra, the World's Most Awesome Choffy Distributor, is willing to give a packet of Choffy to one of my readers.  That's right, y'all - one of you lucky duckies is getting Choffy to try for yourself!  This Giveaway is now Closed.

Want to enter?  I'm not going to ask you to jump through 27 hoops, become a follower, like me on TwitterBook or any of that stuff.  All I ask is that you head over to the Choffy site, look around a bit, then pop back in over here and tell me two things:

1.  What is  your favorite chocolaty thing in the whole wide world?
2.  Which Choffy brew sounds most interesting and tasty to you?

Leave that information in the comments, OK?  On April 22, 2013 I will use a randomizer to select the winner and I'll announce the winner here on TenThingsFarm.  You will have to email me to claim your prize, and if I don't hear from you in a week, I'll select a new winner.  Edited 4/14/13 to add:  This giveaway is open to readers in the United States. 

If you can't wait that long - boy howdy, do I understand that - you can click on over and order Choffy right now.  If you win, it'll just mean more Choffy for you!

The Truth:  I did ask to try Choffy in exchange for an honest review of the product.  Terra agreed to the giveaway out of the goodness of her own heart.  I am not being paid (other than the Choffy she sent me) for the review, and it is my honest review of the Choffy product. 

Don't forget to comment/enter!!

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Comments

Liz said…
Thanks for sharing this! My hubby is not a coffe drinker, but loves hot chocolate. I am going to show him this site. My favorite chocolate would be the cake and frosting recipe on the back of a Hershey cocoa box. That is the best! I think I would order the Ivory Coast for my first try of Choffy.
Liz
Unknown said…
This sounds perfect for my dh. He really misses hot chocolate but with diabetes... it's hard since he also dislikes artificial sweeteners. I think we'd probably try the La Espanola or the variety pack. My absolute favorite chocolate thing in the whole wide world is Godiva's chocolate covered strawberries. Heaven.
gram said…
what a great product. My favorite chocolate products would be hot mocha or maybe fudge but I only eat fudge maybe one piece a year. This has lots of anioxidants!! I would like to try the Espanola altho if I had the moola I would love to order the three pack.
mentalutopia said…
The chocolate frosting I made for my husband's birthday cake was pretty darn amazing.

I'd probably try Ivory Coast Choffy first.
Unknown said…
My favorite chocolaty thing would be Twix. Mmm, now I want some. The Ivory Coast Choffy sounds good!
momma-lana said…
My favorite chocolate is just plain old milk chocolate. It has to be good chocolate like Trader Joe's or Hershey's Bliss. We adore coffee at our house but this sounds amazing and we would love to try the Ivory Coast.
moreofhim said…
This sounds really good! I think the one that sounds amazing is the Ivory Coast blend. My favorite chocolate is Dove Milk Chocolate...yum! I'm already a follower. Thank you for entering me in your giveaway!! I'm also glad you entered my giveaway!

Blessings - Julie
Our Spin Cycle said…
Oh my! My favorite chocolatey thing is probably those cherry bing things. Super sweet.

I think we would try the La Espanola first.

Thanks for the give-away opportunity, Laura and Terra!
Unknown said…
My favorite chocolatey thing in the world? How can I choose? I love all things chocolate. My favorite would have to be: anything I can manage to finish without the kids "tasting" it to the point I get none. Esp the fudge that my mom's step-mom sends us from NE.
What Choffy would I try first? I think the La Esapanola sounds like a good first one to try. I notice these use a french press- has anyone tried making these in an aeropress? I ask because I switched that that from a french press years ago and the end result cannot be compared.
KatB said…
Mmm - I love chocolate in any way, shape or form, but decaf mochas from Starbucks are my favorite. I'd love to try the Ivory Coast Choffey! Thanks for such a nice giveaway. :)
Sally said…
My favorite chocolate candy is Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. I'd like to try the La Espanola.
Christina said…
I'd love to try the Ivory Coast for the french press. My favorite chocolate item is Guittard chocolate chips. My daughter and I like to raid the cupboards for them.
MKB said…
I cannot believe this is good for you. I would love to try it! My favorite chocolate is recces peanut butter cups.....YUM. I would like to try the variety.
Marti B. said…
I am a huge sucker for chocolate with caramel, just the absolute best combo, no matter what! I think the La Espanola variety sounds the best.
Unknown said…
My favorite chocolaty thing is warm gooey brownies hot and fresh from the oven.

I would love to try La Española Choffy. I sampled the Ivory Coast variety once at a local art event and fell instantly in love. I've been fruitlessly trying to find a local vendor ever since.
Unknown said…
Yumm!

1. What is your favorite chocolaty thing in the whole wide world? Probably...this is a hard one. I really enjoy chocolate dipped strawberries. It makes you think you're eating healthy when you aren't! ;)

2. Which Choffy brew sounds most interesting and tasty to you? Definitely the Dark Choffy!
Anonymous said…
I have been wanting to try choffey for ever ! La Espanola sounds awesome but they all do. I love dark chocolate truffles with raspberry centers. Or Mexican hot chocolate, the good stuff thats kinda bitter and has a kick of Cayenne.
StephLa said…
my favorite chocolatey thing...chili dark chocolate from lindt. the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. As for Choffy, I would probably try IC Dark.
Andi Sherwood said…
Nice post! I won't enter the giveaway (since I already drink Choffy) but I wanted to mention that Choffy is amazing in recipes with Chocolate. Simply replace it for the water. An example would be Chocolate cake or brownies. I often use egg powder in recipes as well and I use the Choffy as the liquid with it (you use liquid to rehydrate the egg powder). In any case, the Choffy is great for bringing out chocolate flavor and I know professional bakers use it as a "secret ingredient." :)
Lydia said…
Oh dear, my favorite chocolate thing???? Dear me, everything chocolate! I would say anything with DARK chocolate! I love natural products containing the same!
My favorite looking Choffy product would be the IC Dark Choffy!
Thank you for entering me into this fabulous looking contest!
Sincerely,
Lydia Hoppman
Anonymous said…
I have been drinking CHOFFY since October 2011. Ivory Coast has been my favorite hot drink since then.

Judette

judette@live.com
Elizabeth said…
My favorite chocolatey thing (you're seriously asking me to choose just one?!) is 70% dark chocolate. It's amazing. Choffy sounds really interesting! I'd love to give it a try. The IC Dark sounds especially good.
Springjoy said…
mmmm. Chocolate!

I love chocolate truffles. With caramel. :D

Ivory Coast Choffy sounds yummy.

alaskawildrose at gmail dot com
DeeMarie63 said…
I LOVE CHOFFY! I've been drinking it for oer a year and it's my favorite! I love the La Espanola - it's got a nutty chocolate taste that I adore! I've tried all the varieties and have to say, this is the BEST idea anyone's had in a really long time! I'm sold for life! Thanks, Choffy, for such a fabulous product!
K.T. said…
Mom's hot fudge pudding cake has got to be the best chocolate ever. I would love to try to Choffy Espanola!!
Unknown said…
I looooove chocolate pudding! I would love to try the Espanola Choffy
Cathy said…
My favorite chocolate item is any nut or fruit covered in chocolate. It has to be milk chocolate for me.

I would try the Ivory Coast. The think I like most about this is that I could have a chocolate "fix" using my French press and I can control the sugar in it. Being a diabetic, I have to watch the sugar intake.

I was looking for a consultant near me. I can't find one. Does the consultant need to be in my area or could Terra be my consultant?
Unknown said…
I love pretty much anything and everything "chocolate" -- if I had to choose a favorite, it would probably be a decadent "death by chocolate" dessert. The more chocolate, the better! :)
As far as the Choffy flavors... I honestly cannot decide. I'm leaning toward the IC Dark but would need to order a 3-pack to try them all!
Theresa said…
I really like reeses! and I think Ivory Coast Choffy looks yummy too :D

cc_girly(at)yahoo(dot)com
Anonymous said…
hmmmmm- since chocolate is a food group in my book, it is hard to pick one thing chocolatey! I do love dark chocolate and mint though! I would like to try the dark choffy. YUMM!
Jennifer in IA
April said…
Well, it is April 22nd, but I'm hoping that the contest closes at the end of the day because I would really love to win a sample!

1. Favorite chocolate thing - I'll take just about anything chocolate, but right now I'm really craving brownies.

2. I think I would like to try the Dark Choffy first.

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