Where was Hot Chocolate First Served?

Hello, Good People! How are you doing today? How's the weather? Is it cold? How about a cup of hot chocolate to warm you up?

Chocolate has found its way to be used in daily life, and a cup of hot chocolate is one of them. That dark, brittle, and shiny drink that melts in your mouth never fails to make you feel comfy. Have you ever thought of "where was hot chocolate first served?" The journey of hot chocolate comes a long way.

Photo by Ylanite Koppens

Back then, chocolate was not something that you would commonly find in the form of bars and powders. The chocolate bar that you know was found in the 1800s by Casparus van Houten in the Netherlands. However, the drinkable form of cocoa was found way before then.

Mexico, Central America

To answer the question of "where was hot chocolate first served?" is in Mexico. In the early 500BC, the Mayans and Aztecs were drinking chocolate made from ground-up cocoa seeds. During this time, the ground-up cocoa beans were mixed with cornmeal, water, chili peppers, and other ingredients.

The Mayans and Aztecs made chocolate drink by repeatedly pouring from one vessel to another, back and forth until frothy. The drink was different than the ones that we have today. It is served cold and unsweetened.

The Chocolate Drink Made it to Europe

Technically the indigenous tribes of Mexico made the chocolate drink that we love today. It became a hot chocolate drink when an explorer named Cortez in the early 1500s brought cocoa beans along with the drink-making tools to Europe.

After its introduction in Spain, the chocolate drink began to be served, sweetened, hot, and without chili peppers. The Spanish did not want to share their new beverages, and it took over a hundred years before the drink was known across Europe.

Finally, in the 1700s, the infamous hot chocolate drink came to London. The president of the Royal College of Physicians, Hans Sloane brought a recipe from Jamaica to mix chocolate with milk. After that, it became the hot chocolate drink that we know today.

Hot Chocolate Today

The hot chocolate of today is simply a treat that we drink to satisfy our cravings and need for comfort. You don't need to make them from scratch anymore, as there are packages available in your local grocery stores. Simply pour some hot water along with it, and you got yourself a nice, warm, silky, and flavorful drink to enjoy.

Well, Good People, now you know where was hot chocolate first served. Hope you enjoyed the long journey of your favorite drink. Thank you for your time, and have a great day!