Hot cocoa or hot chocolate is famous amongst the youth nowadays. It is trendy, cool and it also has health benefits. Visiting cafes and getting pictures clicked with the cool seeming drinks and posting reels on Instagram are the latest buzz. With the onset of winter, hot chocolate is the best drink to have to keep oneself warm. This magical potion acts as an agent to warm the body as well as our hearts.
How a native medicine earned the badge of nectar?
This drink was originally used by the natives of North and Central America as a medicinal agent to cure liver and kidney problems but with the advent of colonization, it was introduced to other parts of the world. The first hot chocolate was made around 2000 years earlier.
Hot chocolate or hot cocoa, Is there any difference?
The beverage seems to be known as hot chocolate, hot coco/hot cocoa but there is a difference between these two which very few know. So the main difference between these two is the fact that hot chocolate is made out of bars of chocolate and hot coco is made using cocoa powder.
The drink of the Gods, comfort food for humans?
Honestly, all of us will agree on this that hot chocolate is definitely a comfort food and a drink of the Gods. Apart from keeping us warm in this chilly weather, it also soothes the heart and mind. From Latin America to Spain, Europe all over to Asia people drink this beverage as a comfort food adding their own variations. January 31st is celebrated as the National Hot Chocolate Day in the USA.
How to taste heaven from earth?
For this, you totally have to visit a cosy cafe nearby and treat yourself to this amazing drink to soothe your soul. Here are some of my recommendations for the best places in India to taste a hint of heaven:-
1. Zuka Choco-La:-
This place is situated on Mission Street in Pondicherry. Zuka Chocolates specialize in a variety of chocolates including edible chocolate spoons, emergency chocolate etc. Tourists have claimed the hot chocolate here as the best hot chocolate in India and the best hot chocolate they’ve ever had.
2. Cafe stories & more:-
Located in Shangarh, Himachal Pradesh this cafe is best known for its cosy ambience amidst the hills. Though the speciality here is the hand-beaten coffee but the hot chocolate on the menu is no less than that. It seems like melted chocolate all over the mug.
3. Colocal Indian Origin Chocolates:-
It is situated in Delhi in two localities i.e., Chattarpur and Khan Market. Hot chocolates of many varieties are available here e.g. 75% hot chocolate, 85% hot chocolate, campfire hot chocolate etc.
4. Churrolto:-
It is situated in Jubilee hills, Hyderabad. Churrolto cafe has a lot of varieties of hot chocolates e.g. Spanish hot chocolate, Irish hot chocolate etc.
5. Baker’s cafe:-
It is situated on the Mahatma Gandhi Marg in Gangtok, Sikkim. This cafe serves its hot chocolate with whipped cream on it making it look like a snow-clad mountain peak.
6. River music garden restaurant & German bakery:-
This cafe is situated in Old Manali. The speciality of this place is that there is no live music and amidst the loud lanes of Old Manali, one can find peace and work or relax here while drinking hot chocolate at the riverside.
7. The Lazy Dog:-
Situated in the bustling lanes of Old Manali this cafe has an exotic riverside view with live music. The Lazy Dog cafe has an option of open seating and inside seating but I would definitely ask you to try the open seating, especially in the evening when it starts getting colder. As you take a sip of your hot chocolate in the chilly atmosphere, you will be filled with pleasure and delight.
8. La folie du Chocolat:-
Situated in the Rope walk lane of Mumbai, this cafe serves one of the best hot chocolates which is so thick that it is very hard to finish alone. It is made out of 70% Venezuelan chocolate.
9. Cha Bar:-
Situated in the Oxford Bookstore in Park Street, Kolkata this place is the perfect place for book lovers to spend some quality time reading their favourite book and sipping on that lip-smacking drink.
10. Chic Chocolate:-
It is situated on Mall road in Mussoorie. This cafe has a lot of history being 70 years old and they are quite experienced in serving great hot chocolates. Their speciality is the Spanish hot chocolate.
And the winner for the best comfort food for the soul is…..
drumrolls please….
None other than “Hot chocolate”….
So readers, winter has come and there are not too many days left until Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. So grab onto that warm coat and get out of bed to taste this amazing concoction filled with pleasure and warmth. It is time to pamper yourself with an amazing cup of hot coco.
