Learn about the plant that makes hot cocoa so tasty while creating your own hot cocoa mix at home!
Did you know that chocolate comes from a tree? The chocolate trees, Theobroma cacao, is native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Theobroma means “food of the gods” and the word chocolate comes from xocolatl, the Aztec word for “bitter water.”
The tree grows 20-30 feet tall in cultivation. They produce fragrant, pink flowers that are pollinated by tiny midges, a type of small fly. Cocoa trees take five years to reach maturity and produce fruit, and then they produce fruit for around 25 years, but they can live to be 200 years old!
The ripe fruit is:
- 6-12 inches long.
- Approximately 1 lb.
- Yellow to red.
- Contain 20-60 seeds in white pulp.
Taste Test
During the chocolate making process, the chocolate “beans” are roasted. The time and temperature of roasting vary based on the desired flavor. Let’s find out what flavor you like best! Do a taste test with four different types of chocolate: white, milk, dark, and extra dark.
Rate each of the chocolate bars on the categories below on a scale of one through five.
Smell, Texture, Bitterness, Overall Flavor
1 = poor | 2 = okay | 3 = average | 4 = good | 5 = great
Ingredients
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1 cup powdered milk or Instant Nonfat Dry milk
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Makes about six serving
Mix can be kept in airtight container for about 6 months
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and slowly stir until everything is well combined.
- Add any desired mix-ins (mini marshmallows, peppermint bits, etc.)
To Enjoy
- Combine about 1/2 cup cocoa mix with 1 cup hot water.
- Putting the mix in the cup before the hot water may help eliminate large lumps.
- Stir and enjoy!
