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Chocolate
was once used as a currency in Ancient Mexico and the Aztecs
were drinking a pungent bitter drink they called "xocolatl"
as far back as 1000 BC. Spaniards are responsible for adding
sugar, calling the drink “chocolatl” and trying to keep it a
secret. The French, Germans, and English soon discovered how to
make hot chocolate and the secret was out. English chocolate
houses were for the rich since there were high import duties on
the cocoa beans. It is no wonder this drink is so popular, cocoa
contains DL-phenylalanine: an antidepressant and pain killer.
4 cups whole milk
2
cinnamon sticks, broken into pieces
6
tablespoons granulated sugar
1/3
cup Dutch-process cocoa
Pinch
salt
1
teaspoon vanilla extract
¼
teaspoon almond extract
Sweetened
whipped cream and nutmeg or marshmallows
1. In a
3-quart saucepan, heat the milk on medium heat with
the
cinnamon sticks.
2. In a small bowl,
mix the sugar, cocoa and salt. Whisk into the
hot
milk, add extracts.
3. Pour into four
mugs and serve with marshmallows or
whipped
cream and nutmeg.
Variation:
Omit cinnamon and serve with peppermint sticks.
Makes 4 mugs
Premium Cocoa
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