Hot Chocolate
Having a cup of hot chocolate in the morning has become almost as common as having a nice hot cup of coffee. The sweet taste and warm smooth texture is the perfect way to wake up each morning or warm yourself on a cold winter night.
Hot chocolate can be dated all the way to the beginning of chocolate, actually being invented before the hardened chocolate we typically think of now. The Indians used to believe that hot chocolate would help someone overcome fatigue and give me additional strength. This was close to 3,000 years ago and interestingly enough we still use it to do the same thing!
Types of Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate Packets
There are many ways that hot chocolate is made. Today you can simply add a packet of hot chocolate to warm water, heat, stir, and drink. The contents of the hot chocolate available in a package typically include cocoa powder, powdered milk, and preservatives. Pay close attention when buying quick packages, many times you are only buying a flavored drink rather than actual hot chocolate.
Hot Chocolate Syrup
There are many that would prefer closer the real deal coming to you in a squeezable bottle. These are typically more chocolaty and offer you a much thicker taste. The recipe is simple: Add chocolate syrup to a nice warm glass of milk, stir, and enjoy. These chocolate syrups usually have more ingredients to give you the richest flavor in a smooth easy-to-pour method.
Traditional Hot Chocolate
Those that have been lucky enough to have real hot chocolate will proudly tell you it is a cut above the rest. For most it would come as a surprise since real hot chocolate (fresh from the bean) does not taste anything like the chocolate we eat. Traditionally much more bitter in taste, real hot chocolate includes ground cocoa beans, milk, and some add spices such as vanilla, sugar, etc.
Mixing It Up: Chocolate Accommodations
Hot Chocolate comes with many flavors added to give you a hint of your desired taste. Some common types include mint, orange, strawberry, almond, and peppermint. You can also find hot chocolate with special toppings such as nuts, whipped cream, or marshmallows. While these are all the most universal types, hot chocolate seems to evolve with time, featuring a special new twist regularly.