The ancient Mayan civilization, where chocolate (or “xocolatl”) was originally consumed, served as the inspiration for this rich, flavorful beverage, Mayan Hot Chocolate. Mayan hot chocolate was often made with ground cacao beans, water, and spices, as opposed to the sweetened hot chocolate we are accustomed to today. Typically, the beverage was thick, bitter, and frequently flavored with cinnamon, vanilla, and chile.
A simple recipe for Mayan Hot Chocolate is as follows:
Ingredients:
- Two cups of full milk (or water if you don’t eat dairy)
- Two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder or coarsely chopped 70% dark chocolate
- 1-2 tablespoons of honey or agave syrup (optional, based on your preferred level of sweetness)
- Half a teaspoon crushed cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground chili powder (or, depending on how much heat you can handle, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- A dash of salt
- Optional garnishes include whipped cream or a dusting of crushed cinnamon.
Instructions:
- Add the cocoa powder (or dark chocolate), cinnamon, chili powder, vanilla, salt, and milk (or water) to a saucepan.
- To make sure everything dissolves easily into the liquid, heat over medium-low while whisking continuously.
- Once thoroughly cooked and mixed, taste and, if needed, adjust sweetness with honey or agave syrup.
- Serve hot after pouring into a mug. For an extra touch, you can add cinnamon or whipped cream as a garnish.
Tips:
Here are some tips to enhance your Mayan Hot Chocolate experience:
- Use Premium Cocoa or Dark Chocolate: Use premium unsweetened cocoa powder or premium dark chocolate that contains 70% cacao or more for a deep, rich flavor. This will add a real, rich chocolate flavor to your beverage.
- Adjust the Spice Level: If you want a spicy beverage, don’t be scared to add extra cayenne or chili powder because the classic Mayan drink was rather hot. Depending on your taste, start with a tiny pinch and work your way up. For an added kick, you can also add a small pinch of ground black pepper.
- Try Adding a teaspoon of Sea Salt: A tiny teaspoon of sea salt can balance the sweetness and spice and bring out the chocolate’s inherent richness.
- Use a Frother: Think about frothing the milk or topping it with whipped cream for a creamy texture. If you don’t have a frother, you can whip the milk briskly with a hand whisk while it’s heating up to produce some froth.
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