Mi Tsokolate Eh

I love chocolates.

Let me kick it off with those three words. Chocolates in many ways are delightful. I have yet to meet a person whose childhood was not filled with yummy and often messy chocolate memories. As we grow, some of us have left those memories for far; say ‘healthier’, food preferences. But as for people like me whose preference have evolved to ‘sweet teeth’, chocolate is definitely in high-demand and the overdrive to get your hands on one is like driving your car at 120kph… you know you’re there but just needs a little more, you know you can taste it but you just can’t feel enough of it.

Are chocolates good for you? 

Cocoa, the main ingredients of chocolates, is known to have physiological effects and is linked to serotonin (most commonly known as happy hormones) levels in the brain. Ahem! I’m healthy and happy at the same time (while having my daily dose of chocolates).  But not all chocolates are made equal. Well since I have to satisfy my sweet teeth, I prefer White Chocolates. 

While I wouldn’t be caught all messed up with chocolates or eating those big bars of chocolate outside home, you’d definitely see me hunting for those hot cups of chocolates. A cup of hot chocolate is definitely a comfort food. The warmth and sweetness of each cup can truly ease those physical and mental tensions. 

Over the years, I have developed my personal recipe for hot chocolate. Why share? There’s more of it to go around and its taste is incomparable to the commercial ones.

1 piece tablea or 3 ounce of semisweet chocolate

1 tablespoon hazelnut spread (Nutella)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla powder

1/2 teaspoon of flour

1/2 cup of milk

3/4 cup of water

Pinch of salt

Some minor cooking is involved in this recipe. Trust me, every sip is worth it. 

Cook the tablea and and flour in the 3/4 cup of water.  Make sure to use low fire.

Transfer the mixture into a cup

Dissolve the vanilla powder together with the hazelnut spread in the mixture

Add the milk

Put a pinch of salt on top

FAQs: 

What’s the flour for? 

Thickening agent, imagine a liquid chocolate cake. Thus me adopting the ‘tsokolate e’ in Noli Me Tangere

What’s the salt for? 

It’s a trick to enhance the sweet taste and create balance in your tongue.

What’s the hazelnut for?

It will give an edgier nut flavor

Where do I get vanilla powder?

There’s a good one in  CBTL. Do not use the liquid form of vanilla from the store as substitute!

Taking my cup of hot chocolate is as special as I don’t want to do anything else except drink my hot cup of chocolate. I am loyal and respectful to every hot cup of chocolate. Nowadays, I write while I drink my cup of hot chocolate. It helps ease the flood of emotions that at times can be overwhelming while having one. 

I find inspiration in every cup of hot chocolate. It’s like drinking life itself; the sweetness and bitterness in every sip, the warmth that fills and fades, the texture in its taste, and the memories until the last drop. I see my life in it. What may seem to be ordinary for some is something special for me. What may be common and naked to the eye, may be essential for me. 

This is a story of how I see my life and myself in it. Just like a cup of hot chocolate, I hope it brings warmth to those who take a sip from it.