Hot chocolate is a real treat on a cold rainy evening. This magical drink envelops you in warmth and improves your mood. Most people prefer to enjoy dessert while watching a TV series or movie, since they are not always in the mood to go to the nearest cafe, especially in the rain.
In order to prepare a dessert, you don’t have to leave the walls of your home; you just need to stock up on the necessary ingredients and know a few simple recipes. You can learn how to make hot chocolate at home from our article.
History of chocolate
Perhaps hot chocolate in a coffee machine is truly a modern invention, but historians attribute the first mention of the amazing drink made from cocoa beans to the civilization of the Olmec tribes, who lived on the territory of modern South America more than 3 thousand years ago. By the way, the word “cocoa” was also given to us by the Olmecs. This is what they called the trees on which pale brown fruits grew.
Cocoa beans were no less in demand among the Mayan tribes, who were the first to prepare hot cocoa drinks. True, the Mayan recipe did not even closely resemble the modern version and included cocoa bean powder, cold water, and chili pepper. Given the unique properties of this drink - to invigorate and fill a person with energy - it began to be used in rituals. And later it completely turned into an elite treat, available only to priests.
After the Mayans, the Aztecs picked up the chocolate baton and called the drink “chocolatl,” which evolved into our hot “chocleate.”
Thanks to Spanish sailors, cocoa beans and a recipe for an invigorating drink came to Europe and literally within a few years became a favorite treat for aristocrats and nobility.
Not everyone knows, but in the history of hot chocolate there was also a period of persecution from the church, which considered it sinful. This was due to the fact that one of the effects of its consumption was increased sexuality. That is, hot chocolate belongs to the group of aphrodisiacs. But under pressure from dissatisfied parishioners, church ministers gave in and lifted the ban on the use of this amazing drink.
Today there are dozens of variations on the theme of hot chocolate, including the drink in French, Viennese, and Italian. So modern sweet tooths have plenty to choose from.
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How to make liquid cocoa dessert?
It is possible to prepare hot chocolate:
- traditional way (on the stove);
- in a modern way (using a coffee machine with a special function).
Manufacturers of equipment for preparing coffee, coffee drinks and various intoxicating liquid desserts, which include hot chocolate, today offer consumers a large selection of different models of units that differ in functionality, size, design, and price.
A coffee machine that can prepare not only espresso or latte, but also hot chocolate, must first of all have this function. There seem to be many such models on the market, but in practice, according to consumer reviews, not all machines are capable of preparing truly delicious hot chocolate. Return to content
Oatmeal, sir!
You can cook oatmeal directly in the coffee maker. Pour 10 ounces of water into the flask. Turn on the coffee maker and brew it all for 5 minutes. Boom! The oatmeal is ready. You can eat it straight from the coffee flask, although it is better to use a plate.
If you already managed to cook porridge in a coffee maker, then cooking fast food pasta can be done in one or two seconds. The cooking recipe is no different from brewing the same pasta in a jar or mug.
Brand matters
Like any household appliance, coffee making machines can be domestic (those that are simpler and cheaper) and professional (expensive, multifunctional and quite difficult to operate devices).
The DeLonghi device will be optimal for home and cafes with a small number of visitors. The DeLonghi company is known to domestic consumers as a manufacturer of high-quality and far from “budget” household appliances. The coffee machine from DeLonghi, which prepares espresso, latte, cappuccino and, of course, amazingly delicious hot chocolate, is distinguished by the following parameters:
- the case is made of stainless steel, which gives the device not only strength and reliability, but also a stylish appearance;
- the presence of a cleaning system for the cappuccino maker, which greatly facilitates the maintenance of the device;
- ease of use (you can prepare any drink with one click of the appropriate button). The device is almost 100% automated and requires only minimal human intervention in the process of preparing coffee or hot chocolate;
- the presence of a “self-tuning” option for the drink. That is, according to his taste, the consumer can prepare drinks with different levels of strength, with different amounts of water and at different temperatures;
- the presence of automatic programs for the care of the unit ensures its independent cleaning and descaling;
- the presence of a cup heating option allows you to maintain the desired temperature of the finished product for a long time;
- the ability to simultaneously prepare two servings of the drink;
- The presence of a color LCD display and touch buttons makes using the device not only easier, but also more enjoyable.
If we talk about downsides, DeLonghi’s machines simply don’t have them.
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What is a carob coffee maker?
This type of device got its name thanks to a special device that is not found in other types of designs - a horn. The holder (another name for this part) ensures rapid passage of steam through the coffee grounds . Externally, a working carob coffee maker can be distinguished by the presence of a protruding handle.
Holders can be made of metal or plastic. When purchasing, you should give preference to a stainless steel horn . This material heats up much better, and coffee from coffee machines with a plastic horn often has an unpleasant sour taste and watery consistency.
There are models with the ability to use two horns simultaneously. These coffee makers are suitable for offices or small coffee shops where you need to quickly prepare several cups of drink. A good addition would be the presence of a tamper - a special pestle that allows you to better compact the coffee inside the cone.
Cocoa treat from BOSCH
A coffee machine for preparing coffee, coffee-based drinks and hot chocolate from the BOSCH company primarily pleases the eye with its design. This is an ideal device for the home, as it is distinguished by its light weight, compact size and low cost.
Bosch machines are equipped with such innovations as:
- a water heater that puts the device into a state of readiness in a matter of seconds;
- the ability to adjust the strength of the drink and its size (portion) manually;
- a program that allows the system to clean itself and remove scale;
- the ability to adjust the height of the container stand for collecting the finished product;
- a special barcode that contains the recipe for all hot drinks produced by the device;
- The function of automatically turning off the device after preparing a drink allows you to save energy. Thanks to this option, Bosch machines are included in the list of economical and energy-saving machines, which only increases their popularity among consumers.
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Preparing coffee: grinding and its features
Preparing a drink in a carob coffee maker requires proper grinding of the beans . This is one of the most important parameters affecting the taste of coffee.
Coarse grinding with too large particles gives the drink a sour taste. Grinding that is too fine, in which the grains are reduced to almost the state of flour, is only suitable for drip coffee makers and Turkish coffee makers. It is better not to use it in a carob coffee maker.
Most often, medium grinding, with a particle size of about 1 mm, is used . This size will not allow the grounds to seep through the filter and will saturate the coffee with a bright taste.
You should not grind grains in a hurry, since the device can cope with the task most effectively only with the same particle size. In order to achieve a uniform consistency, use an automatic coffee grinder with a choice of grain sizes.
Choosing the right raw materials
Not every chocolate raw material is suitable for making hot chocolate in a coffee machine. Of course, the market for raw materials for coffee machines offers a wide range of different chocolate powders, but not all of them are of high quality and have high taste properties.
The most popular and revered (by both experts and end consumers) include the following companies' products:
- Ristora (its chocolate powder is rightfully considered one of the best);
- Nescafe (whose chocolate capsules, known under the Dolce Gusto brand, are very popular among professional bartenders);
- Monbana (the chocolate for the coffee machine produced by Monbana is amazingly tasty and aromatic).
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Description of the Nespresso cappuccino maker
A Nespresso cappuccino machine is a metal container that is designed for preparing thick or airy foam for coffee drinks. It has 2 functions: frothing cold and hot milk and heating. For foaming, it is recommended to use milk with a fat content of 1-3.5%. The fattier the product, the thicker the foam.
Appearance
The Aeroccino cappuccino maker from Nespresso has the shape of a glass, its diameter is 8.5 cm. The container is made of stainless steel and stands on a stand that is connected to the network. The base has a round or teardrop shape with an additional cell intended for one of the attachments.
Externally, the device is slightly corrugated and covered with a lid with a removable insulating layer. The set includes 2 attachments with magnets: for whipping and mixing. The first one looks like a steel spring in the shape of a circle. The second is a metal disk.
There are 2 marks on the inside of the glass. The lower one indicates the permissible volume of milk for foam, and the upper one indicates the level of the liquid that is heated.
The device is turned on with a button. The light turns red when pressed quickly and blue when pressed for 2 seconds. Red color means heating the milk, and blue color means the process of whipping without heating the substance.
The equipment is small. The height of the device with the base is 19.5 cm, the bowl itself is 17 cm. The equipment comes in 3 colors: white, black and red.
The new Aeroccino 4 model has been improved. The device has a handle and control panel that are illuminated. 4 buttons on the body are designed to launch a separate function. The height of the device is 21 cm with a stand. The color of the device is steel.
Characteristics
Main characteristics:
- Power - 410-490 W.
- Frequency - 50-60 Hz.
- Voltage - 220-240 V.
- Cord length - 80 cm.
Extra options:
- Powered by electricity.
- Non-stick coating.
- Weight - 1 kg.
- Diameter - 8.5 cm.
The manufacturer's assortment also includes coffee machines with cappuccino makers - models Pure, Pixie, Inissia, Citiz.
The recipe is also important
The recipe for one serving of hot chocolate for a special machine includes the following ingredients:
- milk (100 ml);
- chocolate powder (25 g).
The cooking algorithm is even simpler than the recipe. All you need to prepare such chocolate using the unit is:
- pour powder into the pitcher;
- pour the powdered raw material with milk (diluted, if dry, or whole);
- Bring this mixture to a boil using steam;
- let the mixture thicken (reducing the nozzle);
- pour the chocolate from the pitcher into a cup (the cup, according to coffee etiquette, should be the same as for a cappuccino);
- start receiving unearthly pleasure.
For those who want to increase the dose of pleasure, you can complement the treat with a bar of chocolate (white or black). True, frequent preparation and indulgence in such a double dessert can cause irreparable damage to the waist. Return to content
