Do those
words make you go weak in the knees as they do to me? I have no idea what
triggered off my ‘choco-holism’, but there it is. Put any type of chocolate in
front of me (with the exception of mint flavoured ones and Bounty) and that’s
the last of it that you shall see! And I rejoiced when I recently read that the
Belgian Post Office will be issuing five stamps that smell and taste of chocolate
– in honour of its national delicacy! I would love to get my hands on those 🙂
words make you go weak in the knees as they do to me? I have no idea what
triggered off my ‘choco-holism’, but there it is. Put any type of chocolate in
front of me (with the exception of mint flavoured ones and Bounty) and that’s
the last of it that you shall see! And I rejoiced when I recently read that the
Belgian Post Office will be issuing five stamps that smell and taste of chocolate
– in honour of its national delicacy! I would love to get my hands on those 🙂
 |
| Image courtesy http://www.fanpop.com |
When I first read Joanne Harris’ deliciously titled
book Chocolat,
I went into raptures over her descriptions of the food and the chocolaterie’s
offerings. The film, with its frothy interpretation of the book, is much poorer
(despite Johnny Depp!) and I would highly recommend that you read the book –
for its rich imagery and quotable quotes.
 |
| Image courtesy http://joanne-harris.co.uk |
“Happiness.
Simple as a glass of chocolate or tortuous as the heart. Bitter. Sweet. Alive.”
Which brings me to that elusive thing called the
perfect Hot Chocolate. I’ve always wondered why is it that cafes don’t
manage to serve up a good cup of hot chocolate. More often than not, it’s either
a glass of pale brown milk or some mud coloured sludge. It’s even more
surprising considering how easy it is make it.
perfect Hot Chocolate. I’ve always wondered why is it that cafes don’t
manage to serve up a good cup of hot chocolate. More often than not, it’s either
a glass of pale brown milk or some mud coloured sludge. It’s even more
surprising considering how easy it is make it.
When I think about Hot Chocolate, my mind
immediately goes to that flowing river of chocolate in Willy Wonka’s factory,
at least texture wise. And the erstwhile Chocolate Bar at Harrods in London
served the perfect cuppa. This restaurant has now been replaced by Cafe Godiva and there is no reason why you shouldn’t find top-quality hot
chocolate there. A cup full of liquid chocolaty goodness…
immediately goes to that flowing river of chocolate in Willy Wonka’s factory,
at least texture wise. And the erstwhile Chocolate Bar at Harrods in London
served the perfect cuppa. This restaurant has now been replaced by Cafe Godiva and there is no reason why you shouldn’t find top-quality hot
chocolate there. A cup full of liquid chocolaty goodness…
In Mumbai, the chain cafes all serve some of
the worst hot chocolates ever. More milk, less chocolate and often bringing to
mind that childhood growing-up drink of Bournvita. Theobroma Patisserie (Colaba, Bandra & Kemps Corner) does a decent one and the curiously-named Marz-o-rin in Pune is another, where you can get a small cup of hot chocolate for Rs. 25!However, the one place that does a really good hot chocolate in Mumbai is Suzette,
the French Cafe/Creperie located at Nariman Point. They also have a branch in
Bandra. Suzette has a range of quite delicious crepes (sweet and savoury),
salads and coffees – more about that in a later post. But it’s their Dark Hot
Chocolate that brings me back again and again.
the worst hot chocolates ever. More milk, less chocolate and often bringing to
mind that childhood growing-up drink of Bournvita. Theobroma Patisserie (Colaba, Bandra & Kemps Corner) does a decent one and the curiously-named Marz-o-rin in Pune is another, where you can get a small cup of hot chocolate for Rs. 25!However, the one place that does a really good hot chocolate in Mumbai is Suzette,
the French Cafe/Creperie located at Nariman Point. They also have a branch in
Bandra. Suzette has a range of quite delicious crepes (sweet and savoury),
salads and coffees – more about that in a later post. But it’s their Dark Hot
Chocolate that brings me back again and again.
 |
| Image courtesy Suzette |
This is how I make hot chocolate at home – melt 2-3 pieces of milk or dark chocolate, add a cup of hot milk and then stir in 2tsp of unsweetened cocoa powder.
Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon powder on top and voila! Currently, I’m also using
the hot chocolate mix from Yellow Butterfly – a local brand owned by my friend
Shivani with a host of chocolaty products and savoury dips on offer. Take a
look at her page here; there are some V-day goodies available as well. I have my eye on her Chili Chocolate Dip!
Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon powder on top and voila! Currently, I’m also using
the hot chocolate mix from Yellow Butterfly – a local brand owned by my friend
Shivani with a host of chocolaty products and savoury dips on offer. Take a
look at her page here; there are some V-day goodies available as well. I have my eye on her Chili Chocolate Dip!
Nice post, the best Hot Chocolate I've had is at Cafe edelweiss in Udaipur.
Thank you 🙂
Awesome post, Prachi. Would love to smell those Belgian stamps 🙂
Aparna
Thanks, Aparna!
Have u had Hot Chocolate at Food For Thought,Kitab Khana?
Ah no! I was there this weekend, but didn't try the hot chocolate. Will do the next time, thanks 🙂
While reading i Wished tht you would write of a half decent place in Delhi .. well,* my places to visit before i die list * got edited a bit after this..
I like your post. Btw I like Bounty (but thats just me i guess.)
Thanks! Glad that you liked the post. I haven't really tried hot chocolate in Delhi; maybe next time I visit! And I know a lot of people who like Bounty; to each his own 🙂
Hey, I agree there is a dearth of places serving good hot chocolate in Mumbai – but you should try the hot choc @ Kala Ghoda Cafe – superlative – made with Belgian chocolate..go for it!!
Thanks for the recommendation! I've tried KGC in the past & quite liked it; their coffee is superb too 🙂 Will try the hot chocolate next time!