Hallmark!
Today is National Hot Chocolate Day which celebrates the timeless cold weather beverage. Hot chocolate is a warm beverage made with ground chocolate, heated milk, water or milk, and sugar.
We’re able to do this thanks to a process developed by father and son chemists. For the thicker and more flavorful beverage, we make hot chocolate from ground chocolate containing cocoa butter.
It is also called drinking chocolate. It’s been around since the early 1800’s. Casparus van Houten Sr. developed a process to separate the cocoa solids from the butter. His son Conroaad Johannes made those fats more soluble in water. Together their process made the cocoa powder possible.
However, humans have been drinking chocolate for a long time. The Mayans most likely created the 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.
Hot chocolate can be enjoyed in a variety of combinations, topped with whip cream or marshmallow. Sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of peppermint make the chocolate extra special. In the United Sate many people enjoy an instant form of hot chocolate, it is made with hot water and a packet containing cocoa powder, sugar and dry milk.
There are health benefits to drinking chocolate. Cocoa contains a significant amounts of antioxidant that may help prevent cancer. Studies have shown the flavonoids in chocolate my have a positive effect on arterial health and memory.
To celebrate today, make some hot chocolate to enjoy!
If you cannot see the bright side, polish the dull side
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Hot chocolate is like a hug from the inside.
Violet Sueno
The only chocolate I have right now, is some sugar free gems made with Stevia extract. I can’t seem to do with out my chocolate. It is very good for us, but for me the sugar isn’t. Until now I’ve never used artificial sweeteners, but I was in difficult circumstances.
The only hot drink I’m having right now is coffee or tea. I do add some cinnamon to my coffee now and then.
It is even colder today than yesterday we won’t even see 30 degrees. Once again, I intend to stay inside and keep warm.
I did get out yesterday. A friend called and asked me to go to lunch with her and I was good and enjoyed a salad and a small piece of banana bread. We went to Bob Evans and there were plenty of hot dishes I could have enjoyed, but I am on this no salt, no sugar kick right now.
I hope you all have a TERRIFIC Tuesday!
COUNTING MY GIFTS
The superiority of chocolate, hot chocolate, both for health and nourishment, will soon give it the same preference over tea and coffee in America which it has in Spain.
Tomas Jefferson
Counting at least 3 things every day that I'm thankful for. There is truly is always something to be thankful for.
11,013. for chocolate, good and good for us too
11,014. for a warm and cozy home
11,015. for sugar substitutes
4 comments:
Unlike me, I hope you can enjoy a cup of s hot chocolate today!
"Drinking chocolate" ... what a fun name!
Like you, the only hot beverages in my kitchen are coffee and tea bags. I drink my coffee black, but on occasion I enjoy adding a few drops of sugar-free caramel (or vanilla) flavoring drops.
I hope after a while this strict eating regimen can be relaxed a bit. Have to see what the doctor says, right?
National Hot Chocolate Day - they always have hot chocolate on Hallmark. Was the cup filled on your blog - hot chocolate - looked like veggie soup.
I like hot cocoa, but I especially like the marshmallows or whipped cream that comes with it. I haven't had hot chocolate this winter, but we had our first snow this morning and I'll be looking for sugar-free hot cocoa for a snack this afternoon. Have a great February.
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