The first time we went to Italy was Feb. 2000. We went with a group of high school boys, saw all the sights and had a lot of fun. One thing we discovered there was hot chocolate. Now let me tell ya something – Italian hot chocolate is like nothing you’ve ever tasted here in the states. It is not just chocolate milk that’s been heated or a packet of powder mixed with hot water like you’re making instant coffee or something equally horrid.
Nope. Italians know their food and their drinks and even hot chocolate is different there. Italian hot chocolate is like drinking a cup of melted chocolate. It was the richest, most delicious thing I ever tasted in my life. Ever since that time, 9 years ago, I have searched American stores and online for the stuff but I searched in vain.
Then it happened. We found it in Rome, a little envelope of heaven:
That was basically the only souvenir we brought home. The problem is, we didn’t bring home nearly enough of it. Luckily, I now have a son who lives in Rome and who knows where the nearest post office is. Of course this is the same person who has yet to buy a single Italian postage stamp…
We really do think alike! I was going to comment that “hot chocolate is the nectar of the gods to me” but then I noticed your title. I’d hate to unintentionally steal one of your titles twice in one week!
It’s so thick it looks like pudding. Now I’ve got to find it too.
Lanny, you can steal the title. I give you permission.
Jer, oh yeah, it does look like pudding. And after I give a package to my brother & sister, all I’ll have is one little box for me with only 5 envelopes… which is probably a good thing because it must be something like 34,999 calories.
Did you ever try Starbucks Chantico? I think it was discontinued — I think it was too intense for American palates. Is the hot chocolate you like taste like a melted chocolate bar or does it have more of a cocoa taste?
Theresa & I both think melted chocolate. I’ll have to make some in the morning and test it properly.
Oh Monkling…I love you, you look sooo prettty today…can I have some
If you ever go to New Orleans, there’s a coffee shop called CC’s. Their mint hot chocolate is dreamy. It’s like drinking a melted Andee’s mint. It’s sooooo good!
Just for you Monkling. Better than the mix and not that much more time.
Italian Hot chocolate
1/4 cup cocoa (Valrhona. Don’t skimp here)
1/4 scant cup sugar
1 tsp corn starch
1/2 tsp vanilla
pinch salt
water
milk
Mix first four ingredients together in a small saucepan with 1/4 cup water, heat gently, then add 1/4 cup water and 1/2 cup milk. Stir over med-low heat (but do not boil) until it coats the back of a spoon, approx. 10 minutes. Serve in latte cup swith whipped cream dusted with cocoa (purists, whip up the real thing, Rediwhip works, both are better than marshmallow fluff. Go figure). Makes one and a half servings or two servings for people with some restraint.
I found another, too, although yours seems closer to the real deal. Will have to test out both. Meantime, this is the one I came across:
Italian Hot Chocolate
5 tablespoons cocoa powder; Dutch process
2 tablespoons sugar
6 ounces chocolate; dark, finely chopped
2 cups Milk
1.In a small saucepan over low heat, add the cocoa powder, sugar, and 2
tablespoons of the milk,
2.Heat until the sugar melts and no lumps remain, stirring well.
3.Bring to a low boil, stirring constantly; add the remaining milk.
4.Turn off the heat, add the chopped chocolate, stirring until smooth.
Yes, you will have to take on the arduous task of testing. Maybe Frank and Theresa will help out.
The main problem with most bad hot chocolate, I think, is as Virginia indicates, lousy chocolate. THere are a couple of “serious” hot chocolate places in NY. One of them is at Jacques Torres, which just is next door to a great salumeria.
Walking distance from my apartment (luckily, not too close).
I don’t like hot drinks much, and can’t drink much hot chocolate. Maybe we’ve found the one substance that you can outeat me.