Posted on 01/31/2023 11:07:42 AM PST by Red Badger
(Last Updated On: January 30, 2023)
NATIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE DAY
Each year on January 31st, National Hot Chocolate Day warms up people across the country by celebrating the timeless cold-weather beverage.
#NationalHotChocolateDay
Hot chocolate is a warm beverage made with ground chocolate, heated milk or water, and sugar. In America, we often use the terms hot chocolate and hot cocoa interchangeably. However, the two beverages are different.
Cocoa vs Hot Chocolate
We make hot cocoa with cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and sugar. We’re able to do this thanks to a process developed by father and son chemists. For the thicker, more flavorful beverage, we make hot chocolate from ground chocolate containing cocoa butter. It is also called drinking chocolate. Hot chocolate has also been around longer than hot cocoa. In the early 1800s, Casparus van Houten Sr. developed a process to separate the cocoa solids from the butter. His son, Coenraad Johannes made those fats more soluble in water. Together their processes made cocoa powder possible.
But before then, everyone drank hot chocolate. This thicker, creamier beverage often offered medicinal benefits for stomach ailments during the 19th century. In fact, long before the beverage’s popularity in Victorian times, it served in ceremonial culture.
However, humans have been drinking chocolate for a long time. The Mayans likely created the first chocolate beverage 2000 years ago. The Aztecs also included a cocoa beverage as an essential part of their culture by 1400 AD. When Europeans began exploring Central and South America, explorers brought chocolate and the beverage back with them to Europe from Mexico.
Make it and Benefit
Hot chocolate can be enjoyed in a variety of combinations, topped with whipped cream or marshmallows. Sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of peppermint makes the chocolate extra special. In the United States, many people enjoy an instant form of hot chocolate. It is made with hot water or milk and a packet containing mostly cocoa powder, sugar, and dry milk.
There are health benefits to drinking hot chocolate. Cocoa contains significant amounts of antioxidants that may help prevent cancer. Studies have shown the flavonoids in chocolate may have a positive effect on arterial health and memory.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE DAY
Make some hot chocolate.
Add a variety of toppings.
Invite a friend to join you for hot chocolate.
Sample different flavors of hot chocolate.
Taste the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa.
Take a photo and use #NationalHotChocolateDay to post on social media.
NATIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE DAY HISTORY
National Day Calendar continues researching the origins of this chocolatey beverage holiday.
Hot Chocolate FAQ
Q. Is hot chocolate thicker than hot cocoa?
A. Yes. Hot chocolate is made by melting high-quality chocolate into the milk. It’s almost like syrup but slightly thinner. You can thin it down further by adding more milk, though.
Q. Will I like hot chocolate if I like hot cocoa?
A. Both are delicious but hot chocolate is a little more luxurious than hot cocoa. Some prefer one over the other and many people enjoy both equally.
I knew someone would remember!................
I believe in miracles!
Dang good timing! It was 11 degrees when I woke up this morning. Only about 20 right now. Not my kind of temps. I’m always out of sorts when it gets like this. A good cup of hot chocolate should warm me right up!
Just for you folks living in the more arctic climates......none for me thanks ✋️ ......it’s 82 degrees here today. 🤣
Do you write this stuff? Looks like something you would post! 😆
My next "essay" will likely center around the two years of typing class I had in high school. The second year, I was the only boy in the whole class.
Well, it WAS -13 when I got up this morning on The Frozen Tundra. It warmed up to 4 degrees, but now we have clear skies (Sunshine, Yay!) and the wind is HOWLING so we’re back to negative numbers again.
Hot Chocolate sounds just about perfect. :)
Also:
Barbajada (Milanese Hot Chocolate-Coffee)
Ingredients
1/4 cup cocoa powder (3/4 ounce; 25g)
1/4 cup sugar (2 ounces; 55g)
1 1/2 cups (355ml) milk
2/3 cup (160ml) strong coffee or espresso
Whipped cream, for serving
Directions
In a medium bowl, stir together cocoa powder and sugar until thoroughly combined. In a medium saucepan, heat milk over moderate heat until steaming. Whisk in cocoa/sugar mixture along with coffee, whisking rapidly until hot and frothy. Divide into warmed mugs and top with whipped cream.
To make it really ‘hot’ add a ‘dash’ of cayenne pepper!..............
Those are good! I had the chance to tour their headquarters in Zurich, highly recommend it if you ever find yourself there.
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