Archaeological findings in present-day Guatemala suggest Mayans were drinking some derivative of what we affectionately call “hot cocoa” some 1,500 years ago. Introduced to Europe by Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes, this warming New World drink was an instant hit among members of the Spanish aristocracy. It would still be a couple of centuries before hot chocolate made the transition from a luxury item to an accessible winter beverage, but the cocoa fever had already started to settle in.
Today, hot chocolate is enjoyed by the masses in many different forms. Some of the more creative and adventurous homeowners and apartment dwellers even make their own hot cocoa from scratch. If you enjoy hot chocolate and are the type of person who loves to make things yourself, employ the following tips the next time you mix a batch of warm cocoa in your home kitchen.
Just follow these 5 delicious tips to level up your own hot chocolate while staying at home.
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Chocolate Powder
There are a number of powdered hot chocolate mixes that will do the trick if you’ve got a craving and you don’t have the time, energy, or ingredients to cook up an authentic batch. A powdered form of chocolate drink is now available here at Harper & Cordon. It provides convenience to enjoy a chocolate drink anytime, any day.
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Use Fresh Milk
For a more memorable batch of hot chocolate, use fresh milk rather than skim or fat-free. The creaminess of whole milk complements the mild sweetness of dark chocolate perfectly. If you are vegan or have dietary restrictions that otherwise limit your dairy intake, substitute almond or cashew milk.
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Add a Pinch of Salt
Have you ever had dark chocolate sprinkled with sea salt? It’s delicious! And so is rich hot chocolate with just a pinch of salt. Salt and dark chocolate react somehow to create a truly indescribable taste, and it gives any batch of homemade hot chocolate the perfect flavor profile.
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Sprinkle with Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the healthiest spices you can eat. It helps regulate blood pressure, reduce harmful cholesterol, and stave off heart disease. But these are only added benefits. The real reason to add cinnamon to hot chocolate is to improve its taste, if you like cinnamon and complex flavors, that is. If you do not care for cinnamon or get bored with it and are looking to alter the flavor of your hot chocolate, other spices to add include cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and chili powder.
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Hot Chocolate & Churros
If you are looking to have a truly life-changing hot chocolate experience, honor Hernan Cortes by doing it the Spanish way. Home make churros and serve them with an extra thick batch of genuine hot chocolate. You can dip the churros in the chocolate while it’s too hot to drink, enjoying what’s left once it has reached a temperature that won’t burn your tongue.
Take one or more of these tips to heart next time you warm up a batch of hot chocolate, and enjoy the experience like never before.
For your best experience of perfect hot chocolate at home, look no further than Harper & Cordon’s. Hot Chocolate Powder is made of a mixture of couverture chocolates, milk powder, sugar, and cocoa powder. It contains no added artificial coloring, flavoring nor preservatives.
