Traditions of Warm Drinking Chocolate
October 2, 2015
Hot chocolate is as strong and long-standing a tradition as any. In fact, it's been a tradition since Aztec times.
This beverage is far from being just a kid's drink. It has been the choice drink of rulers, warriors, and explorers for centuries.
"Drinking Chocolate"
Today, the terms "hot cocoa", and "hot chocolate" are used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Hot chocolate is actually made with little pieces or shavings of solid chocolate and is referred to sometimes as “drinking chocolate.”
Hot chocolate is nearly a food group all its own, in that you can mix and match different ingredients to create unique tasting experiences. Some people like to spice it up with chilies, or add caramel, amaretto, or peppermint.
Whatever your take on hot chocolate, be it glamoured up, or straight and true, the tradition of drinking hot chocolate won't be one to die out quickly.
For a new and unique chocolate tasting experience, craft chocolate shops around the world are now serving up house made hot chocolate. Now that's a bandwagon I'll be happy to jump on!
The CUO Chocolate and Wine Tasting Guide will show you how to pair chocolate and wine for amazing experiences of your own or with friends!
Hershey's New Chocolate Experience
Even The Hershey Story museum in Hershey is now serving flights of warm drinking chocolate featuring chocolates from around the world.
Among the varieties are a 72% cacao from Venezuela with complex fruit flavors, a 75% cacao from Tanzania with robust cocoa notes, and a 39% cacao from Santo Domingo with warm caramel undertones.
The melted chocolate in these concoctions is combined with milk, so the consistency is rich and thick. It will remind you of a cup of hot cocoa, only thicker and richer.
Hershey Story Museum director, Amy Bischof, noted, "Solid chocolate tastings are popular around here. Other people are already doing it. We wanted to do something a little more unique."
How It's Made
Now, let's take a step back and look at the whole process of making hot chocolate. One culture that loves its hot chocolate drinking traditions, is Mexico. The video below is educational, yes. But more than that, it reminds me that taking the time to do something right, and with love, is the best ingredient of all. 🙂
The video below gives a fascinating look into preparing drinking chocolate in the village of Teotitlan del Valle outside of Oaxaca, Mexico. It is narrated by Owen Lee and featured on The Sunday Supper Project.
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