At Chocilo, it will surprise no one that we live and breathe chocolate. It's at the very core of our business and, you'll be even less surprised to hear that we stock hot chocolate, aka drinking chocolate.
We're coming into winter and there's nothing quite like a smooth and creamy hot chocolate to warm you up on a cold day.
As experts in chocolate, we’re going to answer some of the most commonly asked hot chocolate questions.
So, let's dive in to what's so special about hot chocolate...
What's in a hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate, also known as hot cocoa has been enjoyed for centuries. Originally invented by the Mayans, their version would have been a spicy hot chocolate blend, utilising chilli.
Overtime, countries like Australia have included hot chocolate into their culture and toned it down to a smoother, creamier mix, often blended with dairy milk or milk substitute. I'm partial to a soy hot chocolate, myself.
But, what's the best way to make hot chocoate?
What's the best way to make a hot chocolate?
There are different ways to prepare a hot chocolate, according to your preference.
The old Classic hot chocolate recipe: The traditional hot chocolate recipe consists of a few simple ingredients carefully combined to create a rich and velvety drink. Here's how you can make a classic hot chocolate:
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons of sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup of milk (whole milk or your preferred type)
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings
The Easy hot chocolate recipe: This easy recipe uses a hot chocolate that we supply in-store and online. It removes the need for additional ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp of Fraus Dark Hot Chocolate
- 1 Cup of milk (whole or your preferred type)
The Koko Deluxe hot chocolate recipe: This easy recipe uses the Koko Deluxe brand that we sell online.
Ingredients:
- 1 Rounded Tbsp of Koko Deluxe Premium Drinking Chocolate Powder
- 125ml of milk (whole or your preferred type)
To prepare on a stove top, warm the milk in a pan. Then add to a coffee plunger and pump gently, or whisk for a creamy texture.
The Grounded Pleasures (vegan) hot chocolate recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1Tbsp of Grounded Pleasures Drinking Chocolate (Original)
- 1 cup of milk (whole or your preferred type)
Heat your milk, stir in powder, or use a frother. You can modify our recipes above, to make a fun hot chocolate. Simply follow our Teddy Mudslide Hot chocolate recipe at the end of this post.
How many of us drink hot chocolate?
I've not been able to find any definitive statistics available for how many people in the world drink hot chocolate.
There are different cultures and countries spanning the globe that drink hot chocolate, in its many forms, so the number is incalculable. Let's assume for the purposes of answering this question that it's at least 200 million people, in a planet of over 7 billion.
Here's a fun article with different versions of hot chocolate from around the world.
With all of us drinking hot chocolate, is it good for us?
How many calories are in a hot chocolate?
The number of calories in a hot chocolate can vary depending on the recipe and ingredients. But he's a rough approximation for you, if you're trying to work out how many calories are in a hot chocolate:
On average, a 240 ml serving of hot chocolate made with whole milk and cocoa powder contains approximately 150-200 calories.
Don't forget, sugar, alternative milks and anything you add on top, like marshmallows will change the calories in your treat.
And, what about caffeine?
Does Hot Chocolate have caffeine?
Traditional hot chocolate does contain a small amount of caffeine, although the levels are significantly lower compared to coffee or tea.
On average, a 240 ml serving of hot chocolate made with cocoa powder contains approximately 5-10 milligrams of caffeine. To put this into perspective, a cup of coffee typically contains around 95 milligrams of caffeine, while a cup of black tea contains around 25-48 milligrams of caffeine.
Does Hot Chocolate help you sleep?
It can, but it also might not! Hot chocolate can potentially aid your sleep, although that varies from person to person. The sleep-inducing properties of hot chocolate are attributed to a couple of factors.
- Warmth and Comfort: Drinking a warm beverage like hot chocolate before bed can create a soothing and cozy atmosphere, which can help relax the body and prepare it for sleep.
- Tryptophan and Serotonin: Hot chocolate contains a small amount of tryptophan, an amino acid that the body uses to produce serotonin—a neurotransmitter associated with relaxation and sleep regulation. While the amount of tryptophan in hot chocolate is relatively low, it may still contribute to the overall relaxation effect.
Additionally, the chocolate in hot chocolate contains a compound called phenylethylamine (PEA), which can promote the release of endorphins and contribute to feelings of happiness and relaxation.
However, hot chocolate is also likely to contain sugar and caffeine, two substances that may have the opposite affect and keep you awake for longer.
A fun hot chocolate recipe - how to make fun hot chocolate
For the ultimate hot chocolate recipe, guaranteed to please the crowd, try this teddy mudslide hot chocolate recipe. The ingredients are all available (excluding the ice cream) through our online store, so order them today and you could be making this incredible hot chocolate at home throughout winter.
[[ recipeID=recipe-8lidwomyx, title=Teddy Hot Chocolate Mudslide Recipe ]]
