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Hot chocolate is more than a beverage, it's a comforting piece of childhood, and a little piece of childhood for so many people. Whether steaming in a favorite mug after a snowball fight or paired with a good book on a cold winter's Eve, hot chocolate has something that can soothe both body and soul. But this humble winter staple boasts a surprisingly rich history. Let's look at how it began, how marshmallows in hot coco came about, and where to find some of the best hot chocolate in the U.S. today.
A Drink With Ancient Roots
A Drink With Ancient Roots
Hot chocolate didn't start sweet- or even warm, for that matter. More than 3,000 years ago, the Olmecs in Mesoamerica domesticated cacao for the first time, roasting beans to make a bitter drink.
The Mayans and Aztecs later made it their own, blending cacao with water, chili peppers, and spices to create a frothy, ceremonial drink. More than a beverage, it was cacao in its sacred form, reserved for rituals and royalty. It was such a holy food that the Aztecs, called it the "food of the gods."
When the Spanish explorers arrived in the Americas in the early 1500s, they brought cacao back to Europe, where it took on a sweeter life. Sugar and milk were added to the formerly bitter, spicy drink, and it became a luxurious treat for the wealthy elite of Europe. In the 17th century, "chocolate houses" in places like London were as popular as coffee shops today. Over time, the drink evolved into the creamy, comforting hot chocolate we know and love.
Why Add Marshmallows?
Why Add Marshmallows?
The story of marshmallows and hot chocolate is surprising in some ways. Marshmallows contain sugar, gelatin, and mallow root sap, that actually dates back to ancient Egypt. That fluffy treat we know today, though, didn't come about until the 19th century in France, when confectioners started whipping sugar and gelatin into soft, pillow-like candies.
Marshmallows became commercially available in the United States in the early 1900s, and marshmallows with hot chocolate really became popular. The pairing was created in 1917 when the company Angelus Marshmallows added a hot coco recipe within their product, slowly introducing them to one another. This match was made in heaven, the marshmallows and hot coco melt just enough to give a creamy top to the drink, adding sweetness and texture. It’s the ultimate union of cozy and indulgent.
Where to Find the Best Hot Chocolate
Where to Find the Best Hot Chocolate
If you’re looking for an unforgettable hot chocolate experience, there are plenty of places across the U.S. that take it to the next level. Here are a few favorites:
1. Jacques Torres Chocolate (New York City) – So thick and rich is this shop's hot chocolate that it tastes like drinking melted candy bars.
2. L.A. Burdick (Boston and beyond)--Artisanal chocolates are their specialty, but L.A. Burdick also serves up hot chocolate made with real chocolate shavings—decadent and creamy.
3. Dandelion Chocolate (San Francisco)-- This bean-to-bar chocolate maker crafts hot chocolates with deep, nuanced flavors. Try their spiced options for a really different cup.
4. Cafe Angelina (Chicago)-- In the style of the famous Parisian chocolate chaud, this spot serves an impossibly thick and creamy hot chocolate topped with fresh whipped cream.
5. Cacao Chemistry (Denver)-- To do things a little differently, this store sells flights of hot chocolate with unique flavors including cinnamon chile and lavender.
A Sip of Tradition
A Sip of Tradition
Hot chocolate has come a long way since its time as a sacred Aztec drink, but it hasn't lost any of its charm. Whether plain, spiced, or topped with marshmallows, hot chocolate is a simple pleasure in life that warms those who drink it on a cold day. Its history is as rich as the drink itself, and because there is so much more creativity involved in enjoying this drink, hot chocolate should remain one of the top favorite beverages of generations for any winter season.
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