When the temperature drops, most of us crave a hot drink. As a child, the best part of coming inside from playing in the winter snow was enjoying a warm cup of hot cocoa. Adults might increase coffee intake when the cold sets in. An extended coffee break with friends is such an accepted cultural experience that the Swedes have a name for it: fika. Hot drinks. Snacks. Conversation. This is a concept we can get behind!
Check out this brief history of two holiday staples: hot cocoa and fruitcake. One is famously beloved and one is infamously bewildering. The most surprising thing to note are the nuances of this tasty treat. Read on to discover if you’ve been drinking hot chocolate or hot cocoa.
It is very sweet and may be topped with marshmallows, whipped cream, or a piece of solid chocolate. Hot chocolate was first brought to North America as early as the 17th century by the Dutch, but the first time colonists began selling hot chocolate was around 1755.
Hot cocoa: a history
According to historians, this was created by the Mayans over 2,000 years ago. Chocolate is made from cocoa, the fermented seeds from the cacao tree, native to Central and South American. The Mayans ground the cocoa seeds into a paste and mixed it with water, cornmeal and chile peppers along with other spices to create an abundance of flavors. They would pour it back and forth into cups creating a foamy top but the drink was served cold (not exactly a concept we can get behind).
Another cocoa beverage was made in 1400 A.D. by the Aztecs. Aztec hot chocolate is similar to Mayan but adds vanilla to the chile pepper and achiote. What later became Mexican hot chocolate is semi-sweet chocolate, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla and usually served with churro pastries. Europeans made this drink popular after they brought it back from Mexico. Here in the United States, we drink a thinner hot cocoa, minus the spices.
Hot chocolate and hot cocoa are terms used reciprocally, but they are actually two separate types of drinks. Hot cocoa is made from cocoa powder, whereas hot chocolate is made from melted bars of chocolate containing cocoa, sugar and cocoa butter then mixed with milk, water, or cream. Hot cocoa lacks the creaminess and texture of hot chocolate, but it is more concentrated and has a deeper chocolate taste. Check out these excellent recipes for both and some books inspired by this favorite drink.
Hot Cocoa Hearts: The more time Em spends with Alex, the more she realizes that she may not be the Grinch she always thought she was.Hot Chocolate: “A cup of hot chocolate is twice as rich in antioxidants as a glass of red wine. And, some would say, is just as intoxicating.”Hot Chocolate: 50 Heavenly Cups of Comfort: a fascinating history of hot chocolate and lots of useful tips on how to make fabulous hot chocolate, which kinds of chocolate to use, and how to garnish the drinks, plus bonus recipes for homemade marshmallows and perfect whipped cream.Slushy the Snowman & the Hot Chocolate Incident: Surely snowmen can’t eat Christmas cookies, or drink hot chocolate with marshmallows in, can they?The Sweet Story of Hot Chocolate: Part of the History of Fun Stuff series. The Sweet Story of Hot Chocolate was named a 2015 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People.
How to Make The Best Hot Chocolate Of All Time (4 ways)
FAQ
Why is my hot chocolate bitter?
Is hot chocolate considered a sweet?
What does hot chocolate taste like?
Is chocolate supposed to be sweet or bitter?
Which type of chocolate is better to eat, dark or semi-sweet?
Dark chocolate. It contains the most cocoa, which is the healthiest ingredient in chocolate, and also the least sugar. The more bitter it is, the healthier it is.
What percentage of chocolate is bitter?
For semi-sweet chocolate, the cocoa percentage ranges from 35 to 65%. The cocoa percentage of bittersweet chocolate ranges from 65 to 80%. If you prefer a more decadent chocolate with less sweetness, stick to the higher end of each range — above 80% is regarded as bitter.
What does bittersweet chocolate taste like?
As the name denotes, bittersweet chocolate has a slightly astringent taste balanced by a bit of sweetness. It is not cloying or overly rich. Numerous bittersweet chocolates also feature subtle fruity notes, which add to the complex flavor. Many chocolate lovers prefer bittersweet chocolate because of its terraceous flavor.