With winter here there are many of us that may be enjoying some hot cocoa. Did you know that enjoying hot cocoa goes a long way back in history?? Back to the Mayan and Aztec civilizations. These ancient civilizations also believed hot cocoa to be a gift from the gods. Therefore, it was not only enjoyed but it was used in ceremonies and the rich were more apt to enjoy it.
Ancient recipes of hot cocoa would find that the recipes may include chili peppers and cornmeal. As the recipe changed thru the years the recipe came to include more familiar ingredients like sugar, cinnamon and spices. In the early 1800s a Dutch chemist started grinding cocoa beans into a powder that when mixed with water easily could be made into hot chocolate. Thus began the rush for the drink many enjoy.
Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder mixed with heated milk or water and sugar. Hot chocolate is melted chocolate combined with milk. A third way and much richer taste is to mix the chocolate with cocoa powder. One of my favorite hot chocolates is that made with peppermints.
- 1 cup milk (I used almond milk, any kind of milk will do the job)
- 1 1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2–3 tablespoons liquid sweetener of choice (maple syrup, agave nectar, or honey all work well)
- 1 drop peppermint extract
- In a small bowl, combine the cocoa powder and sweetener and stir until they are combined. Set aside.
- Put the milk in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Stir in the chocolate mixture and heat until steaming. Add the drop of peppermint extract. Enjoy!
Wonderful! I hope you'll link up to my party which will open later today!
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