Hot chocolate, drinking chocolate

 

Hot chocolate, drinking chocolate

Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Cadbury used to advertise drinking chocolate on television, probably still does, and the refrain, ‘Hot chocolate, drinking chocolate’ springs to mind every time that drink is mentioned.

 Most days I have at least one small mug of hot chocolate. I used to use cocoa or chocolate powder, then progressed to real chocolate flakes.

Talking to my grandson one day, he mentioned that he and his wife had a Velvetiser, which made a superb drink. I had seen a Velvetiser advertised on the Hotel Chocolat website. Hotel Chocolat is a chocolate-lover’s delight, and offers indulgent treats, at Christmas, Easter, birthdays, or just because.

I mulled over the benefits of acquiring a Velvetiser and was eventually persuaded (by Inspector Gadget, who else?) that it would be ‘A Good Thing.’ It makes a beautiful, smooth chocolate drink.

We tried many distinct types of chocolate, but eventually settled for six squares of Green and Black’s 85% organic chocolate bars, grated into milk. Six squares equate to eighteen grammes or 0.6 ounces.

I thought that 90% chocolate might be even better. I tried it this morning, but didn’t like it. 

Whittard of Chelsea

 

Whittard of Chelsea

The Whittard company was started by Walter Whittard in 1886 and has gone through several stages in a long history of supplying tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. It is an interesting introduction to variety in beverages.

Though I never drink coffee and rarely have tea, I enjoy buying distinct types occasionally, for other people.

The coffee names alone are a delight – Guatemala Elephant, Monsoon Malabar, Jamaica Blue Mountain, Kenya Peaberry, and Sumatra Mandheling are just some of the options for coffee.

There are notes to accompany each selection. For example, Guatemala Elephant is described thus:

“Our most popular medium-dark roast with good reason – these big Guatemala Maragogype beans trumpet a bold dark chocolate and orange flavour.”

Following that are reviews from satisfied, even ecstatic, customers. They say things like, ‘It starts off each and every day with style and sophistication,’ or ‘Finely balanced flavour,’ and ‘The best coffee in the world.’

Monsoon Malabar is “Exceptionally smooth with a sweet, spicy kick, this dark roast coffee is unique to the lush Malabar Coast of Karnataka and Kerala, where it has protected status.”

At Christmas, there are brightly coloured tins to tempt the customer, and it’s an extra temptation to consider the biscuits, which are also presented in pretty tins. Stem ginger and lemon biscuits are delicious, and Earl Grey 'all butter' biscuits are very moreish, though perhaps better suited to tea.

There is a wide choice of loose teas – black, green, white, and matcha among them, as well as flavoured teas, and fruit and herbal infusions.

Peach bellini is described as 92% green tea with flavourings, including passion fruit, apricot, and marigold – apparently no peach! 

               The leaves are substantial and make a pleasant fruity brew.

If you’ve read any of Alexander Scott McCall’s novels about the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, featuring the irrepressible Mma Precious Ramotswe in Botswana, you will have heard rooibos tea mentioned frequently. Rooibos or Red Bush Tea is an herbal Southern African tea, and a great favourite of Mma Ramotswe’s.

If tea and coffee are not appealing, there are hot chocolate options, and miniature marshmallows, of course!

Whittard’s offers a number of gift options, like milk frothers, infusers and even stencils to decorate your drink, or perhaps a hamper or gift box.

Also available is equipment and tableware including cafetières, tea pots, and double-walled mugs.

 The goods are carefully packed in sturdy, recyclable cardboard boxes. The interiors are covered in illustrations depicting the early days of the company.