A Real Hot Chocolate



I'm a chocolate fundamentalist. 

My idea of a hot chocolate is quite literal - it uses real chocolate, and it's hot. 
It’s worth being a chocolate snob when it takes under 3 minutes to ‘do it right’. 
Making it with real chocolate will give the end product a rich, intense flavor as well as a thick, full body, that a simple mix of sugar and cocoa can't quite compare. 
This gourmet-feeling beverage will take you minutes to finish. You won’t need a double boiler; you won’t need corn starch slurry; you won’t even need to turn on the stove - but you’ll get a finished product that feels like you’ve done all of the above. 
The only tools you’ll need is a small whisk and a sharp, fine grater. 

Ingredients:
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoon boiling water
  • ½ tablespoon sugar
  • 4 tablespoon finely grated bittersweet chocolate (~20grams)
  • 1 cup hot milk


I find this easier with shorter, wider mugs like a cappuccino cup, but any shape will do. Mix cocoa and boiling water to form a semi thick paste. Add the sugar, stir until dissolved. Whisk finely grated chocolate in, stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. Then slowly add the hot milk while stirring. Try adding ¼ of the milk first, thin out the chocolate mixture, before adding the rest of the milk. 

Boiling water blooms the cocoa powder and makes the cocoa taste more intense. The thick paste will help the chocolate dissolve with residual heat, and keep chocolate from separating in liquid. Make sure the chocolate is finely grated, and not roughly chopped or chocolate chips, as those will not dissolve as easily. Creating a thoroughly melted chocolate base first will help you get a smooth, uniform finished product without any additional tools or steps. 

Depending on the chocolate you use, adjust the sugar amount to taste. Optional: finish with some more grated chocolate. 





I recommend buying a block of bittersweet chocolate from the baking section of a supermarket, and grate large batch into an airtight container. Because you will want to make this again. 

Video Instruction: 


Helpful tools:

ceramic whisks: https://amzn.to/2wMGPkm
microplane grater: https://amzn.to/2wHlBn7
oxo fine grater: https://amzn.to/2wK3hK3
frother: https://amzn.to/2U5RctR

Splurge: 

You can find individual Callebaut blocks at Whole Foods or similar stores, and 8oz Valrhona cocoa at Sur La Table or similar stores.  
Bulk purchases are much better values, for chocoholics or those with friends/roommates to share. 

dark chocolate: 
Callebaut 70%, 11lb block: https://amzn.to/2oED2B8
Callebaut 60%, 11lb block: https://amzn.to/2Ck0ZHK
Callebaut 54.5%, 11lb block: https://amzn.to/2wJf2kS

cocoa powder:
Valrhona 3kg: https://amzn.to/2wKfBdp
Valrhona 1kg: https://amzn.to/2MQMtMs

Comments

  1. You are doing a great job by writing such an informative article. Interesting at the same time. Also check this out Vegan Chocolate Eggs. Thank you.

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