When it's chilly outside, you crave something warm and sweet. Hot chocolate will do, and so will cocoa... So what is the fundamental difference? The answer was found by chef Jason Becton, a conversation partner of the Epicurious portal.
Cocoa and hot chocolate are two completely different drinks, clarified Becton.
If we look at each in more detail, cocoa is made from unsweetened powder with the addition of milk and sugar. Hot chocolate, on the other hand, contains real pieces of chocolate melted in milk, cream, or a plant-based drink. It is thicker and richer in flavor due to cocoa butter.
As noted by scientists from Croatia, whose research was published in the journal Separations, products high in cocoa, such as the drink itself or dark chocolate, are associated with improved mood, reduced inflammation, and strengthened blood vessels, but they should be consumed in moderation — no more than 1 cup a day when it comes to drinkable forms.
What is Easier to Make at Home — Cocoa or Hot Chocolate
Before starting to prepare either drink, determine how much time you have. If you want to quickly make something warming, choose cocoa:
- mix cocoa powder with sugar;
- add hot milk and a pinch of salt (it will enhance the flavor);
- optionally season the drink with cinnamon or vanilla.
For hot chocolate, you need more time and more ingredients: 50 g of dark chocolate, 200 ml of milk, 1 tsp of cream, and a little cocoa powder. First, melt the chocolate in hot milk, then add spices and whisk everything together.
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