I will admit something in writing that horrifies most Italians I meet: I don't like coffee. I know, it's sacrilege! When I lived in Italy, people couldn't accept this and tried again and again to make me see the error of my ways but no matter how it was made, I couldn't be convinced. I took a sip or two and couldn't drink any more. Eventually, the mother of the family I was staying with took it upon herself to introduce me to a very chocolatey coffee drink in Turin, telling me that even babies liked it and, maybe, it could be my stepping stone into the world of coffee. She was so excited, I didn't have the heart to say no.
As I expected, it wasn't for me. “Monica,” I said, “I don't think this is for me. I don't really like hot chocolate either, so it's like combining two things I'm not a fan of.”
This horrified her even more. “You don't like hot chocolate either? You've never tried Italian hot chocolate, have you?”
As I expected, it wasn't for me. “Monica,” I said, “I don't think this is for me. I don't really like hot chocolate either, so it's like combining two things I'm not a fan of.”
This horrified her even more. “You don't like hot chocolate either? You've never tried Italian hot chocolate, have you?”
“Oh, no,” I thought. “Here we go again.”
Monica ran excitedly to the bar and came back with a hot chocolate and I had to admit that it smelled and looked delicious. I took it from her with a smile and prepared myself for a polite sip...but I didn't need to merely be polite anymore. Italian chocolate is a world apart from anything I had tasted before! It's thick and rich and incredibly comforting, the perfect thing to sip on at this time of year. My best recommendation? Find a vacation rental in Piedmont, make your way to the charming city of Turin and order a cup when you take a break from exploring – it will blow your mind!
In the mean time, while you plan your trip, why not try and make it at home?
Ingredients:
120g of good-quality dark chocolate
2 teaspoons of icing sugar
100ml of full-cream milk
Method:
1. Fill a small saucepan one-third full with water and bring to a gentle simmer, then add the chocolate, icing sugar and 2 tablespoons of the milk in a small heatproof bowl. Place this over the pan and stir until the chocolate has almost melted and the icing sugar has dissolved.
2. Slowly add the remaining milk and stir continuously until well combined and there are no big lumps left.
3. Cook over a low heat until thick and velvety and coats the back of the spoon.
4. Enjoy as you plan that trip to Italy!
Monica ran excitedly to the bar and came back with a hot chocolate and I had to admit that it smelled and looked delicious. I took it from her with a smile and prepared myself for a polite sip...but I didn't need to merely be polite anymore. Italian chocolate is a world apart from anything I had tasted before! It's thick and rich and incredibly comforting, the perfect thing to sip on at this time of year. My best recommendation? Find a vacation rental in Piedmont, make your way to the charming city of Turin and order a cup when you take a break from exploring – it will blow your mind!
In the mean time, while you plan your trip, why not try and make it at home?
Ingredients:
120g of good-quality dark chocolate
2 teaspoons of icing sugar
100ml of full-cream milk
Method:
1. Fill a small saucepan one-third full with water and bring to a gentle simmer, then add the chocolate, icing sugar and 2 tablespoons of the milk in a small heatproof bowl. Place this over the pan and stir until the chocolate has almost melted and the icing sugar has dissolved.
2. Slowly add the remaining milk and stir continuously until well combined and there are no big lumps left.
3. Cook over a low heat until thick and velvety and coats the back of the spoon.
4. Enjoy as you plan that trip to Italy!