See’s Chocolates Locations

See's Chocolates Locations

Hot Chocolate Musing

Liquid Indulgence

Bite into a piece of chocolate and you send your taste buds on a culinary history dating back to mid-1800. Yet, sipping a cup of chocolate drink and we go back in time at least 4000 years. Although chocolate drinks have changed in appearance and taste through time, it is sometimes difficult to believe that as a species, we drank chocolate much, much longer than we are working from melting in the mouth.

I have been subscribing to Merriam Dictionary Word of the Day (www.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/mwwod.pl) and low and behold word for today was imbibution, which means the act of drinking or taking in liquid or knowledge. That's my kind of word. Naturally, my mind began to wander Reminiscing experience my drinking over the years, chocolate, that is!

Although hot chocolate the term commonly refers to all types of beverages, hot chocolate, there is a technical difference. Hot cocoa is made with cocoa, material dry resulting from the extraction of cocoa butter from cocoa beans ground. Drinking chocolate, on the other hand, is made with solid chocolate. They are both delicious. Most people prefer one over the other. Hot chocolate is delicious and nostalgic. A chocolate drink is good, Well, the closest thing you can get intravenous therapy chocolate!

Cocoa High Sierra

Growing up in North Beach in San Francisco I was no stranger to the delicious chocolate hot cocoa Ghirardelli out of the box orange. Yet, as a new National Park Service seasonal in Yosemite Valley in the mid 80s, I went to a potluck staff and found my chocolate drink first.

Our staff gathered at the home of our supervisor, Jeff Samco, which was located near the visitor center in the valley. Towards the end of the evening, we gravitated toward the kitchen and found ourselves huddled around the stove. We've all seen the pot of hot milk as children look forward to witnessing an ancient ritual, like Jeff patiently and slowly melt the solid chocolate in his dream, the liquid state. It was quite wonderful final meal together.

Even though the resulting drink was made with one of those Hershey chocolate bars milk big, all I know is that I have experienced some something special that evening. I had never seen a cup of hot chocolate made by hand from scratch. That night in Yosemite Valley, I suppose you can say that I experienced a "brain warp chocolate" at 3000 feet altitude.

Jeff was ahead of its time. Not only was it amateur confirmed before the term was invented, it was something similar to what Europeans have enjoyed for years. We're just playing now catch up on this side of the Atlantic.

Also while in the Sierra, I was introduced to hot chocolate laced with peppermint schnapps and another with coconut milk unsweetened. Although a purist at heart, I find it surprising that these two beverages to be wonderful, especially with a cold winter night. Add a good fire, and presto, you've just created a little piece of heaven on earth.

Old and New Memories

What are your memories and experiences of hot chocolate? Do you have a preference for a hot chocolate or chocolate drink?

I hope this article encourages you to migrate directly into the kitchen to get a cup of hot chocolate. What better way to wear a toast to the official final months of winter? For our long-awaited spring is (hopefully) just around the corner.

Make your way: with cocoa or chocolate sound, ala natural with some increases of creation, with milk, water or milk substitutes. Try a Hershey bar for a trip Nostalgic or sensory experience with some more news of artisan chocolate cocoa content.

Personally, I like the cocoa and hot chocolate drink, depending on my mood. However, there is something almost meditative and education to slow down and take time to make a cup of chocolate drink hand. We can all use a good excuse to slow from the speed of life these days.

You can find some good recipes for you to start www.scharffenberger.com Click on "recipes" and then "drink" links. For suggestions flavor Departure: davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2105 Lactose Intolerant? You can take a look at: nytimes.com/2009/02/11/dining/11appe.html

What is known as a beverage, drink or chocolate-imbibution Hot is definitely a special indulgence for the mind, body and soul!

Cheers!

About the Author

Savina Darzes leads
Portland chocolate tours
and manages her website
www.ChocolateTastingAndMore.com
she also does
Portland chocolate tastings.

RIP SLYME - Hot Chocolate [PV]