Cacao Can Save the World!

On the way into work pass Monday, I caught a portion of the NPR segment on cacao farming in Brazil called “How Chocolate Can Save the World” by Joanne Silberner.

Well I knew cacao can save the world in heart, body and soul. However, numerous people and now environmentalists are highlighting the benefits of growing the cacao tree in parts of Brazil that previous gave up on growing the tree.

Take a listen to “How Chocolate Can Save the World”

danesidancioc

Husband out of town. House semi clean and a chill is in the air. Okay…this is Texas. Any time I am not running the AC is wonderful weather and it is the perfect time to try one of my new hot chocolates from my Surfas' shopping trip last month. On Friday night, it was danesidancioc night.

Since I cannot read a lick of Italian, I must wing it when it comes to creating a cup of hot chocolate. I opted to use 6 ounces of 1% milk and 1 tablespoon of danesidancioc. The chocolate has brownish, grey color with small pearly white sugar crystal peeking out from the cocoa goodness. Simply from the 1st glance, the danesidancioc hot chocolate mix is going to be just as I like it (not very sugary, very flavorful).

Since I’m in a hurry to indulge, I opted to use the microwave. I heated all 6 ounces of milk for 60 seconds. Added the tablespoon of hot chocolate mix and blended it with the milk. After heating the mixture again for another 35 seconds, I was preparing to enter heaven.

At the last minute, I opted to pull out two Sydney’s Cinnamon Plush Puffs. Personally, I enjoy my hot chocolate without marshmallows. However, tonight I was feeling adventurous.

I sipped half the hot chocolate without marshmallows and I experienced a tidal wave of scrumptious hot chocolate. Nice texture, wonderful scent and excellent taste. Once I reached about the 3 ounce mark, I dropped in the two cinnamon marshmallows. The cinnamon spice from the mallows intensified the hot chocolate and added a new level of taste.

Hot Chocolate vs. Hot Apple Cider

I just came across this adorable video of a little girl doing a taste test of hot chocolate vs. hot apple cider at the ripe old age of 2 years old. She's definitely a Cocoa Connoisseur in the making!

"Hot Chocolate Taste Test"

Sassy Sugars

It is amazing how a sweetener can play such a vital role in a hot chocolate. On my last Surfas shopping trip, I also purchased a few different sugars to enhance my drinking chocolate experience: Muscavado, Demerara and Caster Sugar.

Muscavado is derived from cane sugar juice which gives it it’s a deep, dark color. Muscavado is stickier than traditional brown sugar and is commonly used in cookie recipes. Demerara Sugar looks like golden colored sugar crystals and is derived from Cane Sugar. Demerara is recommended for use as a crème brulee topping, desserts and as a crunchy confectionary topping. Also, referred to as “Turbinado” sugar, Demerara sugar is commonly used in Europe as a coffee sweetner. Caster Sugar is a fine sugar that dissolves quickly in liquid. It is excellent for ice teas and meringue desserts. I prefer to use Caster due to it’s fast dissolving characteristics and pleasant flavor.

In addition to Demerara, Muscavado and Caster Sugars, here are a few more to try in your next hot chocolate recipe:

Honey
Brown Sugar
Splenda – A sugar substitute
Anisette


Palm Sugar and Stevia are two other sweeteners I found, but have yet to try in a recipe.

Hot Chocolate Shopping Spree

During my last trip to California, I made my usual trip to Surfas Culinary store in Century City. Surfas is where I get all my ingredients to make my hot chocolate recipes. During this trip, I walked away with Anisette Sugar, Vosges la parisienne couture cocoa, Horlicks Original Do Not Disturb (not a hot chocolate) and danesi dancioc. Since I have yet to try any of these beverages, this should be quite interesting.

The Vosges la parisiene couture cocoa is ranked #2 on About.com’s “Top 10 Drinking Chocolate” list. As for the Horlicks Original Do Not Disturb, is a malted milk beverage from the UK. According to the jar, Horlicks is a sleep aid manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline. With all of the drama in my life, I need something to calm my hyper self down at night. If this does the trick, I will definitely sing the praises of Horlicks. Lastly, danesi dancioc is from Rome, Italy. I do not know much about danesi dancioc. However, I have seen their adorable danesi caffe cups and saucers in a few stores.

Stay tuned for my tasting experience!