Hot chocolate is also known as cocoa or drinking chocolate. This scrumptious chocolate beverage is always served hot. Apart from chocolate, milk, sugar and cocoa powder are the major ingredients. It is very fashionable in most European countries. In 16th century Europe, the drink became very popular amongst Spanish high society. But then it took another 100 years before hot chocolate gained recognition throughout the rest of Europe. Originally, the drink was a cold assortment of ground cocoa beans, water, vanilla, pimento and cayenne pepper. Gradually, spices such as cloves and cinnamon were added to the recipe. To really appreciate its entire lip-smacking flavor, people used to drink it from large bowls. After being introduced in Europe, cane sugar replaced the more overpowering spices. Serving hot instead of cold was also pioneered in this period. The drink was to become indispensable as an after dinner treat. The English then added milk to improve the taste.
In 1657, the first `chocolate house’ was established in London. At that time though, only the privileged section of society could afford this costly drink. In the beginning, the drink was simply hailed as chocolate. Gradually, with the development of chocolate bars, the term hot chocolate was introduced. The Dutch invented the first cocoa powder-producing machine in 1828. Thus, the less acidic, more processed cocoa was introduced to the market. The new form was easier to blend with milk and water. The Americans’ time and again use the terms hot chocolate and hot cocoa interchangeably. To others, hot cocoa is made from a powdered mix of cocoa, sugar and thickeners whereas hot chocolate is manufactured directly from bar chocolate that contains cocoa, cocoa butter and sugar. Sometimes, dark, semisweet or bittersweet chocolates are used for making hot chocolate. In this method, the chocolates are chopped into small pieces. These pieces are then stirred into milk.
For sweetening the drink, a little sugar can be added . Powdered milk or other necessary dairy ingredients are often incorporated in American hot cocoa powder. Thus, Americans can make the drink without using milk externally. Recently, a trend has been observed among some Americans to add marshmallows to hot chocolate. Small dry marshmallows are often packaged with hot cocoa mixes. Today, drinking hot chocolate has attained status all over the world. Though the consumption of hot chocolates first started in Europe, the craze has slowly tiptoed into American culture although, during summertime, it is usually avoided. In Spain, the drink was an intrinsic part of the breakfast of the traditional working man. It has become inseparable to Spanish cuisine and culture. |
