One of the indispensable drinks on cold winter days is hot chocolate. But do you know how the history of this delicious drink began? The development of hot chocolate has continued for centuries, and while it was originally cold and spicy, it has gradually become a hot and sweet drink.
The oldest historical traces date back to the Mayans in Mexico, 500 years ago. They ground cocoa beans and mixed them with water, cornmeal, and chili. The drink they prepared was very different from today's hot chocolate and was usually drunk cold.
In the early 1500s, cocoa beans and the necessary tools for making the drink were brought to Europe. Although the drink was still cold and bitter at the time, it gained popularity among the Spanish royal court and the upper class. Later, the drink began to be served in Spain in a hot and sweet form, without the addition of chili. This drink was kept a secret for a while and spread to other European countries about a hundred years later.
Until the 19th century, hot chocolate was also used for medical purposes. Today, we drink it simply to taste and enjoy. The usual version is usually in powder form mixed with water, but restaurants and cafes also offer richer and more original recipes.
You can also easily make rich and delicious hot chocolate at home using the quality products you get from “Araz”. “Araz” also has ready-made hot chocolate varieties.
For preparation:
• 2 cups of milk
• 100 grams of dark chocolate (milk chocolate, if desired)
• 1 tablespoon of sugar (or to taste)
• A little vanilla or cinnamon (if desired)
Heat the milk, add the chocolate and mix. Season with sugar and spices. Once ready, pour into a cup and drink hot.
