5 ways hot chocolate is enjoyed around the world
Probably one of the best things about winter is drinking a delicious, warm, sweet and satisfying mug of hot chocolate
— especially after a day of snowboarding, tobogganing or playing in the snow.There are lots of different ways that people enjoy this classic winter drink around the world.
Maybe you’ll be inspired to try these versions out for yourself!
Cioccolata Calda — Italy
Photo by Michelle Lee licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
In Italy they like their hot chocolate so thick and rich you can eat it with a spoon! It’s almost like hot pudding — they sometimes use cornstarch to thicken it. Top it off with whipped cream and you’ve got yourself a comforting treat!
Champurrado — Mexico
Wikimedia/Tom White/CC BY 2.5
Even though it rarely gets very cold in Mexico (like it does in Canada), they still enjoy a hot chocolate drink called champurrado. Different versions include cinnamon, spicy chili powder, nutmeg or star anise (a spice with a licorice flavour). They will also add masa harina to thicken the drink — the same corn-based dough Mexicans use to make tortillas for tacos!
Chocolate Santafereño — Colombia
Photo by Multivac42 licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Colombian hot chocolate is often enjoyed at breakfast (yes, that’s right, breakfast!) and includes cinnamon, cloves and vanilla. And, what's more, in Colombia, hot chocolate is served with fresh white farmer’s cheese. Not whipped cream, not marshmallows, but CHEESE!
Churros con Chocolate — Spain
Photo by Anthony Dugenia licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
In Spain they like their hot chocolate like they do in Italy — as thick as pudding. The difference in Spain is that they will dunk crispy fried sticks of dough called churros into the chocolate goodness. Think of it like dipping long crispy donuts into your hot pudding for breakfast. Yummers!
Submarino — Argentina
Hot milk with a chocolate bar — you put it in yourself and mix it to make your own hot chocolate. (Photo left and photo right by Beatrice Murch licensed CC BY-SA 2.0)
Submarino is Spanish for submarine and that’s exactly what this hot chocolate drink is like. Little bars of chocolate are dropped into hot, steamy milk and they sink like a submarine. The hot milk melts the chocolate which is then stirred to make a tasty, sweet, belly-warming mixture!
