The secret to heavenly hot chocolate

2024. 11. 28.

How is hot chocolate different from cocoa?

Hot chocolate is a thick, creamy chocolate drink that is typically made from quality milk and dark chocolate. Unlike cocoa powder-based cocoa, hot chocolate is typically not overly sweetened, and has a thicker and more intense flavor thanks to the melted chocolate. There are many versions, so everyone can find something that suits their taste.

The history of hot chocolate

Hot chocolate comes from Mexico, where the ancient Mayans already B.C. Around 500 were consumed. According to their recipe, cocoa must be mixed with water, cornmeal, chili cream and other similar ingredients. At that time, hot chocolate was drunk cold, and its characteristic was that it was offered with a thick layer of foam.

Hot chocolate came to Europe in the early 1500s, when the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortez brought the ingredients home to Spain. Later, according to European tastes, it was served hot with sugar and milk, and it soon became one of the continent's most popular drinks. The English later started drinking it as an after-dinner dessert.

Hot chocolate worldwide

Today, every country has its own special hot chocolate recipe.

• The American version is thinner, often made with cocoa powder, and flavored much sweeter.
  
  
• Spanish "chocolate a la taza" is much thicker and creamier, often eaten with a spoon.
  
  
• The Italian "cioccolata calda" is also rich in chocolate and has the special feature of adding a little starch to achieve the perfect texture.

How to make hot chocolate at home?

Ingredients:

• 400 ml of milk
• 75 g of milk chocolate
• 125 g of dark chocolate
• half a teaspoon of vanilla extract
• a pinch of salt

How to do:

1. Break the chocolate into small pieces!
2. Heat the milk, then pour it over the chocolate. Season with salt and vanilla.
3. Stir thoroughly until the chocolate is completely melted.
4. You can spoon freshly whipped cream on top and sprinkle with cocoa powder or cinnamon.

This basic recipe is a great starting point, but hot chocolate is also a great drink to experiment with. If you want it sweeter, you can increase the proportion of milk chocolate, while dark chocolate lovers can add more dark chocolate.

Hot chocolate variants

White chocolate hot chocolate

If you want something really creamy, white chocolate hot chocolate can be an ideal choice. Replace the dark chocolate and milk chocolate with 200 grams of white chocolate. White chocolate harmonizes well with salted caramel, so you can even put a little salted caramel topping on top.

Hot chocolate with marshmallows

This version is especially popular with children. It's easy to make: make a basic hot chocolate and sprinkle it with marshmallows.

Bailey's Hot Chocolate

This recipe is made for adult hot chocolate lovers. Prepare the drink based on the traditional recipe, then mix a little Bailey's Irish cream liqueur with the milk.

The secret to heavenly hot chocolate

When making hot chocolate, using quality chocolate is the key. Cheaper chocolates often contain less cocoa, so the flavor of the drink will be less rich. It's worth experimenting with different types of chocolate to find the perfect combination for you. If you want a really rich, creamy hot chocolate, it's worth adding a little cream to the milk.

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