I love it when interesting little things pop up while I’m shopping; those little unexpected pleasures that fully warrant somewhat of a splurge in order to gain a new culinary experience.
The most recent occurrence that that fits these criteria involves chocolate. I love chocolate – big deal, I know. So do a lot of other people. I will admit when I hear people utter the words “I don’t like chocolate” it is followed by a jaw drop and gasp. Then I think – are you sure? I mean, it is chocolate.
When I delve into the history and health benefits of chocolate I often grow amazed at how this perfect, natural substance ever became what we’ve come to know as chocolate in the US – a candy, full of fat and sugar. What stares back at us on our store shelves barely resembles that from which it was made.
Now I’ve enjoyed my fair share of milk chocolate, but it is the dark stuff that has my heart. I like it dark and bitter, just barely sweet. The type of chocolate where you only need a small bite to feel fully satisfied.
So let me bring you back to my unexpected find. Browsing the food selection at a local bakery a few weeks ago I came across a rather intriguing drinking chocolate – Xocoatl. I became even more interested when I read the back of the package, which, lucky for me, was also printed in English so I didn’t have to worry with translating.
This is what it said:
Long before Columbus reached America, Aztecs roasted and ground cocoa beans and
mixed them with water, honey, vanilla and pepper. This ceremonial drink, called
Xocoatl, was available only to the nobles and priests. During the 16th century,
Xocoatl was taken to Spain, where spices from the East Indies were added to the
drink. Nugali Xocoatl is prepared according to this 400-year-old recipe, which quickly became a success among
European courts.
Well, noble or priest or I am not, but I did by up a bag of these tasty little disks for making drinking chocolate. I didn’t have to think twice after the description – honey, vanilla, pepper and chocolate – I knew I would love it.
The directions indicated that you should melt 3 to 5 tablets in a cup of hot milk. A bit difficult to melt down, it did not become a thick, dark drinking chocolate that most of us think of. However, this was its only fault.
The warm drink gave the sweet, yet bitter taste of fine chocolate and left a warm heat in the back of the throat. Such a combination of flavors that you know this is a rich drink meant for the most special of occasions.
This was certainly a new find for me. Have you ever heard of or had Xocoatl?
DEFINITELY new to me too!!
I haven’t heard of Xocoatl, but now I’m intrigued…it sounds delicious! (And I’m one of those people who like chocolate, but don’t *love* chocolate. I usually order a fruity dessert over chocolatey ones…) I’m going to keep my eyes open for this!
That sounds delicious (your description was excellent for making me long for some of that warm rich chocolatey goodness:)
I’m beginning to love dark and bitter chocolate. I used to think I hated dark chocolate but I’m starting to appreciate it a lot more these days … and I like that : )
VeggieGirl – It was a great new find.
Mindy – My jaw has dropped and I just let out a gasp. Ha, ha! Just kidding. I like my share of fruity options too.
Lesley – Uhoh. Sorry I iniated a craving. Ha, ha! So glad to hear dark is growing on you. Sometimes I think the really dark stuff is an aquired taste
Sounds like a wonderful new discovery, I’m putting it on my list for next shopping.
Oh, isn’t it fabulous!
I’ve heard of “chocolatl” but just in a historical context. In fact OysterCulture just recently posted a detailed examination of hot chocolate around the world here which includes a reference to chocolatl: http://oysterculture.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/hot-chocolate-gracias-mexico/
I’ve certainly never come across the little tablets you describe however, though I’d love to try them 🙂
Such a far cry from Nestle Quik chocolate milk! It sounds delicious – I’ve really come to love the taste of spice in chocolates. As you’ve noted, the more intense, non-sweet flavor satisfies with only a little amount.
I’m right with you about the dark stuff up until that part about only a small bite 😉 This sounds good!
I have heard of this, but not by its name. What kind of pepper did you use? I’ll have to look for it in our Mexican grocery store.
I have NEVER heard of it…interesting!
Never heard of it but it sounds really unique and tasty! I’d say def worth a try (or two or three or…)
5 Star Foodie – Definitely let us know if you find it or something similar.
kat – It definitely was. Glad I’ve still got some left. 🙂
Daily Spud – I would expect it is probably a similar thing. Thanks for sharing that post, very good info.
Tangled Noodle – I’ve grown to really like anything savory in my dark chocolate. Curry and chile are my favorite, but I’ve tried bacon and it’s not bad.
laura – Ha, ha! Okay, maybe I exaggerated a little bit. It’s the internet, you can’t believe everything you read on the web. 😉
Striving Green – The pepper was already in the the chocolate disks. They don’t have to be as exact on ingredients here it seems as it only says assorted spices. From the taste I’d expect some sort of chile.
lauren and Erica – Give it a try if you ever come across it. Then let us know where to get it in the States. 😉
i think those “i don’t like chocolate” people are big fat liars. i mean seriously. how can you not like it? this sounds totally delicious 🙂
I’ve heard of Xocoatl, but I haven’t had it. Could you taste the pepper in the drink? I think of milk chocolate as candy and only the dark stuff as chocolate. I can’t live without the dark stuff, and sometimes I just have to have the milky sugary stuff.
new to me as well.
REALLY interesting (and yes. now Im in MUST FIND mode :))
New to your blog…lots of interesting stuff!!
This sounds really good, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of it. I love the dark stuff too, is there really anything better?
So I looked around a little for this yesterday online, and I only really found it here: http://tiny.cc/iUTDT. And it’s not even available yet! I’m sure I could track it down somewhere, but yours sounds so much better with the vanilla and honey…maybe I’ll order some of this and add my own vanilla and honey!
And I do really like dark chocolate, but milk chocolate makes my teeth hurt…literally.
Heather – They say it’s true, but I don’t know…. 🙂
gastroanthro – It isn’t so much a taste, just that warm feeling in the back of your throat.
MizFit – I was intrigued as well. It looks like Mindy might have helped us out.
Denise – Thanks so much for stopping by with your comment.
ChefBliss- No, I really don’t think there is. 🙂
Mindy – Thanks so much for this! I wonder when it will be available. I’m glad to have the source, though. I think this would be a great chocolate-lover’s gift. I know what you mean about the teeth. Some milk, sugary choc do that to me too.