How to make magical hot chocolate with mushrooms

Chocolate and shrooms? You know it's a good mix! The psychoactive compounds in cacao have long been known to match in a heavenly way with those in magic mushrooms. Our recipe extends this idea to all types of mushrooms—combine your favourite ones with cocoa and harness the potential benefits of both while enjoying a delicious, magical hot chocolate.

Combining cacao with magic mushrooms is a tradition that has been practised for centuries by the Aztecs in Mexico. Both cacao and shrooms contain psychoactive compounds, the synergistic effects of which make the longevity of this tradition hardly surprising. Nowadays, this is often referred to as the “Aztec combo”.

This article will give instructions on how to combine magic mushrooms and chocolate, but it will also explore the potential benefits of using nootropic mushrooms instead. If you want to use these sorts of mushrooms, follow the same recipe, but swap out the magic mushrooms for other types.

What is mushroom chocolate?

Mushrooms and chocolate are a combination that dates back further than we know. The Aztecs are known to have combined cacao with Psilocybe cubensis as part of their mushroom rituals. And they were onto something too! Cacao contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which inhibit the body’s natural ability to break down psilocybin, thereby increasing the intensity and duration of the effects. That being said, it is not known whether the concentration of MAOIs in cacao is enough to influence the effects of shrooms.

These days, it’s not uncommon for people to buy shroom chocolate bars, whether it contains psilocybin shrooms or something less psychoactive, such as lion’s mane, reishi, or chaga mushrooms. Whether for the improved taste or potential to influence the effects, combining mushrooms and chocolate has been popular for millennia.

What are the benefits of mushroom chocolate?

The potential benefits of mushroom chocolate depend entirely on the mushrooms contained, and what we mean by “chocolate”. A milk chocolate blend that’s packed with sugar and lacks almost any cacao will not provide any nutritional benefits, while a mostly cacao chocolate product will.

Potential benefits of cacao include:

• Increased energy
• Lower blood pressure
• Potential immune-boosting effects

And then, of course, the type of mushroom will provide its own benefits. Psilocybe mushrooms are currently being researched in relation to:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Grief and loss

Other nootropic mushrooms, such as chaga, lion’s mane, and reishi have disputed effects, but some claim that they may influence:

• Cognitive function
• Focus
• Blood pressure
• Mood
• Neural plasticity
• Neurogenesis

Selecting the right mushrooms for hot chocolate

When it comes to selecting the right kind of mushrooms for your hot chocolate, the choice is all yours! This magical hot drink is a versatile one. You can use nearly any type of mushroom to infuse hot chocolate, as long as it is edible. All you have to do is dry them thoroughly, then simply follow the steps in the recipe below.

As would seem natural, mushrooms with potentially beneficial properties are most commonly used, such as the aforementioned reishi, lion's mane, or chaga mushrooms. And, of course, you can go all the way and use psilocybin mushrooms for an extra-magical hot chocolate.

While the traditional Aztec combo is all about the synergistic effects of cacao and psilocybin mushrooms specifically, the psychoactive compounds in cacao (anandamide and phenylethylamine) will do their magic if you combine them with other kinds of mushrooms too.

How to make hot chocolate with mushrooms

So, let’s get hot and magical. The following recipe can be used with any kind of mushrooms. On the cocoa side, we highly recommend sourcing a high-quality version. Processed cacao usually undergoes various treatments that make the end product better-tasting and increase its shelf-life, but they also remove (most of) the psychoactive compounds of the magical bean.

If you choose magic mushrooms, keep in mind that, in sufficient amounts, cacao is a mild MAOI. As such, it may slow down the onset of your trip and increase the effects of psilocybin. Don’t combine cacao with another MAOI, as this could create a highly unpleasant experience.

A note on magic mushrooms and heat

If you opt for magic mushrooms, note that psilocybin, the main psychoactive compound in shrooms, breaks down when it’s exposed to temperatures above a certain level. Normally, anything below 70°C is considered safe. Some people like to keep the temperature even lower to reduce the risk of degrading the potency of mushrooms.

It can be useful or even necessary to use a thermometer and keep an eye on the temperature when handling Psilocybe mushrooms. In the case of making hot chocolate, keeping it at a temperature that's comfortable for drinking will suffice.

Ingredients

• Thoroughly dried mushrooms
• 700g sugar
• 250g cocoa
• 15g salt
• 240ml milk (per serving)

Equipment

• Sharp knife
• Coffee/herb grinder (optional)
• Large mixing bowl
• Airtight container
• Saucepan

Directions

1. Cut your mushrooms of choice into small pieces. Using a coffee or herb grinder will make this job easier. However, if you don’t have one at hand, you can use a sharp knife as well.
   
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Stir the mix thoroughly to ensure an even spread.
   
3. Store the mix in an airtight container and take out a portion whenever you’re craving a magical hot chocolate.
   
4. To prepare the drink, heat up 240ml of milk (per serving) in a saucepan or microwave. Again, if you’re using magic mushrooms, make sure the temperature doesn’t exceed 70°C. Then, stir in roughly 10g (2 tablespoons) of your mix and enjoy!
   
5. If you fancy, add delicious extras to your magical hot chocolate. Get the marshmallows out, whip some cream, add sprinkles—you name it.
   

Can you make hot chocolate with magic truffles?

Absolutely! If you’d prefer using magic truffles for your psychedelic hot chocolate, our recipe works for that too. That is, if your truffles are 100% dried. Also, magic truffles and magic mushrooms contain the same active compounds, so make sure to pay attention to temperature and consider our advice regarding MAOIs. Other than that, you’re good to go!

Make this magic your own

As you can see, making your own magical hot chocolate with your mushrooms of choice is quite straightforward. With our recipe, you’ll have enough mix to share with friends too. Get creative with toppings and extras to create a different experience each time!