Did you know that if it wasn't for the entrepreneurial spirit of the British, the whole world would never have known what chocolate bars were and would still be enjoying the magical beverage in its almost pristine form? Joseph Frye moulded the world's first chocolate bar in 1846 and this was the beginning of the sunset of the divine beverage. Even today, few people can boast of having tasted hot chocolate. A drink from a bag doesn't count! We're talking about the real drink of the gods.
Actually, Olmec, Maya and Aztecs used to make a sacred beverage, strange by modern people's understanding, and only the elite could drink it. It was made by overcooking cacao beans, grinding them, mixing them with cold water and adding hot chilli. The result was a truly atomic concoction - not for everyone! Chocolate became popular only after Europeans made some improvements: they substituted sugar for the hot chili pepper, and heated the drink to make it more soluble. And up to XIX century hot chocolate was not only a delicacy but also a medicine.
Hot chocolateBut enough history, because we are on a culinary website, which means we are interested in the recipes and nuances of making this divine beverage. Let me just remind you of the undeniable benefits of chocolate (in any form). Chocolate contains many different biologically active substances: vitamins A, B1, D, C, and E, antioxidants, flavonoids, and potassium and calcium salts. Hot chocolate improves mood, increases vitality, increases working capacity, stimulates intellectual activity, improves memory, helps to cope with depression and may even be a means of preventing cardio-vascular diseases. Unlike bar chocolate, hot chocolate contains less sugar - good news for slimmers!
hot chocolate Now for the subtleties and tricks. The most important product that you are going to use to make your heart and soul warming drink is chocolate. You can follow tradition and make real hot chocolate from crushed cacao beans, like the ancient Mayans, but it is much quicker and easier to make it from real chocolate bars. Only choose chocolate of the best quality, without any additives such as colourings, preservatives, GMOs or other chemicals. You can use regular bar dark or milk chocolate, speciality chocolate or cocoa powder. In all cases, the ingredient must be of the best quality as this is what gives the flavour and aroma to your drink.
The liquid base for hot chocolate can be cream, milk or water. Hot chocolate with water is lighter, but tastes a bit bland, which is why it needs to be seasoned well. Hot chocolate with milk or cream tastes better but has a higher calorie content. A mixture of water and milk is best: the chocolate dissolves better and is more light and delicate.
Almost anything can be added to hot chocolate. Egg yolk, sour cream or starch gives the drink a thicker consistency and makes the hot chocolate more filling. Alcohol and spices infuse the hot chocolate with a unique flavour. Cognac, rum, liqueur, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, cardamom, chilli pepper, fruit, dried fruit and ice cream combine well with chocolate. Each of these products makes your drink unique.
The way of making hot chocolate can be described in two words: 'melt and stir'. Melting chocolate should be done very gently and carefully, without allowing it to boil. The safest method is considered to be a water bath. For this, a saucepan or heat-proof bowl with chocolate pieces is placed in a saucepan with boiling water, and the whole construction is placed on the cooker. The fire is at its lowest setting. Stir the chocolate with a wooden or silicone spatula until it melts. Make sure that no water gets into the chocolate, as it will simply curdle. Never overheat the chocolate! If you choose to make hot chocolate with egg yolk, make sure that the mixture does not boil, otherwise all your hard work will be lost. Pour the yolk into the warm chocolate, stirring all the time, in a thin stream.
Basically, nothing too complicated or fancy. Choose a recipe to your liking and try making a drink of the gods. In the winter chill, the rich, aromatic hot chocolate will warm you up and fill your heart with joy.
The easiest hot chocolateSimple hot chocolate
Ingredients for 2 servings:
200g dark chocolate,
50 ml milk.
preparation:
Break the chocolate bars into pieces. Heat the milk to 50°C. Put the pan with the milk in a water bath and pour in the chocolate a little at a time. Stir continuously until the chocolate is melted. Warm well, but do not boil! Pour into ceramic bowls and serve with a glass of cold water, as it makes a very rich flavour.
Hot Chocolate Aromatic Hot Chocolate
Ingredients for 6 servings:
250g milk chocolate,
700 ml ml of milk
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