Begin by bringing the 4 cups of water to a boil in your medium-sized pot. If you’re adding a cinnamon stick or vanilla pod for extra flavor, add it to the water as it begins to heat.

Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and add the 2 tablespoons of cacao nibs or shells to the pot. Stir gently to ensure the cacao is fully submerged.

Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes. The longer you let it simmer, the richer and more robust the flavor will be.

If you prefer a lighter tea, 5 minutes will suffice. For a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor, aim for 10 minutes.

After simmering, remove the pot from the heat. Use a strainer or cheesecloth to pour the tea into your teapot or mug, catching the cacao nibs or shells.

If you’ve added a cinnamon stick or vanilla pod, you can remove it at this stage.

Taste your cacao tea and decide if you’d like it sweeter. Add honey, maple syrup, or your preferred sweetener to taste, stirring well to combine.