Hot chocolate is one of the best ways to warm up when it gets cold outside, so it’s unsurprising that countries across the world have their own variations on this classic recipe. Each country’s hot chocolate recipe features a little twist that shows off the local culture and culinary taste. So the next time you’re chilly and looking for a sweet treat, check out this list from Columbia Distributing to see how other people enjoy hot chocolate across the globe.
1. Mayan Hot Chocolate – Mexico
It makes sense to start with the country of origin for hot chocolate: Mexico. Mayans were the first culture to make a drink out of chocolate. However, it was much different than the beverage you’re familiar with today. It was served cold and brewed like a beer for celebrations. However, Mexicans later developed a hot version, adding a pinch of chili pepper to the rich chocolate for a spicy kick characteristic to the rest of their cuisine.
2. Mumbai Hot Chocolate – India
Indian cuisine is known for its liberal use of earthy spices, and Indian hot chocolate is no different. Mumbai hot chocolate actually uses white chocolate as its base, which is then blended with ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, clove, and peppercorn. The result is a flavorful and rich cup of hot chocolate that will challenge your notion of the classic drink.
3. Parisian Chocolat Chaud – France
Leave it to the French to create one of the most decadent cups of hot chocolate you can find in the world. The recipe calls for the highest quality of chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa. The chocolate is combined with whole milk and cream to create a thick consistency that is more comparable to melted fudge than anything else. Add some vanilla and brown sugar for even more sweetness, and you have yourself quite the indulgence.
4. Cioccolata Calda – Italy
Italy is another European country that loves its thick hot chocolate. Their version of hot chocolate uses heavy cream and milk like the French. But unlike the French, they go an extra step by adding cornstarch to thicken the mixture even more. The result is a pudding-like consistency that is still pourable. Garnish your mug with some whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top, and you’ll be ready to enjoy the rich sweetness as a dessert or nightcap.
5. Colombian Hot Chocolate with Cheese – Colombia
This last type of hot chocolate is for the more adventurous eaters who are willing to try something completely new. Colombian hot chocolate features an unexpected ingredient: cheese cubes. Sweet and salty food combinations have long been entertaining our taste buds, so why not try it in your hot chocolate? Brew a steaming mug of the drink using Colombian bitter chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, and honey. Then, chop up cubes of cheese and drop them in for a melted surprise inside. The best types of cheese to use are squeaky varieties like cheese curds or mozzarella. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
Take a Trip with Your Hot Chocolate Mug
If you’re looking for a new way to mix up the classic winter beverage, you only have to look to other countries to find an interesting twist. There are so many types of hot chocolate across the world, but this list will help get you started as you experiment in the kitchen. Check out Columbia Distributing’s large inventory of beverages that range from coffee and tea to soda and juice. For specific companies, browse our list of brands by state to see what we offer near you.
FAQs
In Colombia, hot chocolate is a much-loved drink, either enjoyed for breakfast or before bedtime. It can be made with water or milk, can be either sweetened or unsweetened, and some varieties even come with a cheese topping, called santafereno.
Is hot chocolate popular in Colombia? ›
In Colombia, hot chocolate is a much-loved drink, either enjoyed for breakfast or before bedtime. It can be made with water or milk, can be either sweetened or unsweetened, and some varieties even come with a cheese topping, called santafereno.
Which countries have the best hot chocolate? ›
Where to enjoy the best hot chocolate in the world
- Restaurante Catedral – Oaxaca City, Mexico. ...
- The Sebastian – Vail, Colorado. ...
- Chocc – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ...
- Belú Cacao – Santa Tecla, El Salvador. ...
- Angelina Paris – Paris, France. ...
- Chocolatería San Ginés – Madrid, Spain. ...
- Kakawa Chocolate House.
Here are a few tasty morsels about hot chocolate.
- IT DATES BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS. ...
- IT WASN'T ALWAYS HOT—OR SWEET. ...
- IT WAS BELIEVED TO HAVE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES. ...
- IT WAS THE SOURCE OF RELIGIOUS CONTROVERSY. ...
- IT WAS SERVED IN FANCY PITCHERS. ...
- REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS HAD IT IN THEIR RATIONS. ...
- THOMAS JEFFERSON WAS A BIG FAN.
Hot chocolate is consumed throughout the world and comes in multiple variations, including the spiced chocolate para mesa of Latin America, the very thick cioccolata calda served in Italy and chocolate a la taza served in Spain, and the thinner hot cocoa consumed in the United States.
What chocolate is made in Colombia? ›
Taita Chocolates starts in Puerto Lopez, a small agricultural town where the cacao used in their chocolate is grown. Taita grows its own cacao on a 23-hectare cacao plantation and is the true definition of tree to bar.
What is the name of Colombian hot chocolate? ›
In Colombia, one of the birthplaces of cacao, sweet hot chocolate is accompanied by savory cheese. Sometimes known as chocolate completo, chocolate santafereño comes in the form of breakable blocks, called pastillas, that contain cloves and cinnamon.
What are the top 5 countries that consume chocolate? ›
A Chart of the Top Ten Countries - Chocolate Consumption Per Capita
| Country | Per Capita Chocolate Consumption (kg/year) |
|---|
| Switzerland | 8.8 kg |
| Germany | 8.4 kg |
| Ireland | 8.3 kg |
| United Kingdom | 8.2 kg |
6 more rowsNov 30, 2023
It's believed that the origins of hot chocolate, or rather its earliest version, can be traced back to around 500 BC in the regions of present-day Mexico. The ancient Mayans, a civilisation with an advanced understanding of agriculture and astronomy, were one of the first to cultivate the cacao tree.
Where is famous for hot chocolate? ›
Belgian Hot Chocolate
Of course Belgium has made it to a list involving decadent chocolate! Usually involving more than one kind of chocolate, Belgian hot chocolate is thick and creamy, but its rise to fame is specifically the Wittier Chocolatier recipe from Brussels.
Drinks to limit or avoid
Pop, coffee, energy or sport drinks, fruit punches, hot chocolate, sweetened milks and tea are not recommended for children even if water is added. These drinks are high in sugar and/or caffeine and are not suitable for toddlers or children of any age.
Is hot cocoa good or bad for you? ›
Hot chocolate can be a comforting and delicious treat, but it is important to remember that, like other sugary foods, it is also high in calories, sugar, and fat. If consumed in moderation, hot chocolate can be part of a healthy diet as it provides some essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, and magnesium.
Who named hot chocolate? ›
The name of this concoction was a combination of both Mayan and Aztec cultures. "The Mayan word 'Xocol', that means 'hot', and the Aztec word 'atl' means 'water'," Spehr said. "So 'xocolatl', that's where 'chocolate' comes from. Originally, this means 'hot water'."
What are 10 types of chocolate? ›
Contents
- 1.1 Eating chocolate. 1.1.1 Dark chocolate. 1.1.2 Milk chocolate. 1.1.3 White chocolate. 1.1.4 Blonde chocolate. 1.1.5 Ruby chocolate. 1.1.6 Raw chocolate. 1.1.7 Gianduja chocolate. ...
- 1.2 Confectionery chocolate. 1.2.1 Baking chocolate. 1.2.2 Couverture chocolate. 1.2.3 Compound chocolate. 1.2.4 Modeling chocolate.
Angelina: Paris, France
The combination of these chocolates from different countries gives the hot chocolate a thick, rich taste, and the fresh whipped cream served with it lends for a luscious experience.
Why do Colombians drink hot chocolate with cheese? ›
While chocolate and cheese may seem like an odd combination, for Colombians it holds a particularly special meaning, embodied by its own adage: chocolate sin queso es como amor sin beso (chocolate without cheese is like love without a kiss).
What is the difference between Mexican hot chocolate and Colombian hot chocolate? ›
Colombian hot chocolate is not Mexican hot chocolate
Like its Mexican counterpart, traditional Colombian hot chocolate is actually bitter, not sweet. It's made with tablets of pure dark chocolate, and purists will still only drink it in water, not milk.
Is Milo popular in Colombia? ›
This powder drink is so popular in Colombia that it's also used for making today's recipe, Milo dessert or postre de Milo. Postre de Milo is one of the easiest desserts you will make because you don't need an oven to make it, just place it in the refrigerator so it can set and you're pretty much done.
What is Colombia known for coffee? ›
1. Colombia Is Known for Producing Arabica Coffee Beans. There are two main types of coffee bean grown across the world: Arabica and Robusta. Robusta is more commonly found in parts of Asia and Africa, such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Uganda.
