Hot cocoa Vs. Hot chocolate

By:Julia

Hot cocoa and hot chocolate are a popular beverage in the winter. And best yet you can add peppermints, chocolate bits, whip cream, and so much more to mix the flavor and spice it up! Originally it was made to treat liver and other stomach problems. People would drink it so they would heal. But now it is known to keep us toasty and warm while the weather gets colder and colder. Hot cocoa and hot chocolate are always being confused and thought of as the same thing but the truth is there is a difference. The big difference is how it’s made, the flavor, and its texture.

My hot cocoa from starbucks.

Hot cocoa is different from hot chocolate because of the way it’s made. Hot cocoa is made from a powdered base of cocoa, sugar, and added flavorings. It comes in a powdered form and is usually easier to make than hot chocolate. The cocoa powder comes from cocoa beans that are dried, fermented, then roasted at a high temperature to sweeten the flavor. Most boxed hot chocolate mixes sold in the US are technically hot cocoa and not hot chocolate. It's also usually flat and sweet.

Hot chocolate is a thick, creamy, hot drink which is made by melting solid chocolate in boiling water or milk. Most hot chocolate recipes call for real pieces or shavings of chocolate, such as white or semi-sweet chocolate, which are melted and blended with hot liquid to create a drinkable, chocolaty beverage. Emerson says, “Hot chocolate is the best winter drink, and you always come in from outside and just get a cup of it and sit in front of the fire.” Different countries have their own version of hot chocolate, which uses different variations. It's also known for being rich in flavor and very complex.

My homemade hot chocolate!

So the big difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa is that hot chocolate is made from solid chocolate and other ingredients. And hot chocolate is made from fermented cocoa beans that are turned into powder. This difference may seem small but it actually isn’t. The flavoring, the texture, and the overall drink. Laura says, “Some brands say that they're making hot chocolate but it's really hot cocoa.”

Getting the two different drinks correct is very important and companies should be getting them right so the customers actually know what they’re buying! So now you should know the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate.

Author Bio:

Julia is a sixth grader that loves hot cocoa and hot chocolate!

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