The Best Hot Chocolate Ever

Xocoatl is the original word used for that marvellous bean that is popular all over the world. It comes from the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztecs and large areas of Central Mexico in the past. Even though it is still spoken by more than a million people today, that number is much smaller than the number of people who consume chocolate. Almost one kilogram is consumed for each person on the planet per year, that’s almost eight billion kilograms per year!

You can eat it, melt it, drizzle it onto pancakes, or make it into hot chocolate. In this article we’re going to be talking about, hands down, the best Hot Chocolate in the world, ever.

First take a pan and pour in good quality coconut milk (the creamier the better). Heat it up and add chocolate powder and some brown sugar. Get an electric whisk/mixer and whisk so all the powder is absorbed and you have created some lovely froth and bubbles.

Pour into a nice mug* and add the secret ingredient; a sprinkle of sea salt. Mix in with a tea spoon and enjoy with your favourite biscuit.

*don’t forget this step, it might seem like its not important, but a good mug can make all the difference!

Language Focus:

Glossary 1

Marvellous = very good, excellent

I had a marvellous day yesterday, it was so special, the weather was beautiful and we had so much fun.

Per year/month/day = for every, every one of something

I drink two coffees per day, and eat one bar of chocolate per week.

To drizzle = to pour a thin stream or small amount of a substance, usually used in cooking.

First put the potatoes in a baking tin, then drizzle olive oil over the top of them.

Drizzle the bread sauce over the roast Chicken for the best taste.

Hands Down = without a doubt, with certainty

Magnus Carlsen is hands down, the best chess player in the world

2020 was, hands down, the best year for me, I met my wife, got my dream job and bought my first property.

Glossary 2

To whisk = to move around quickly, to mix or disperse, used in cooking and also other

contexts

He whisked the eggs before putting them in with the flour

They didn’t whisk the cream enough, so the cake wasn’t the best.

Froth = the foamy, bubbly substance made from liquids, e.g. on top of cappuccinos, also used in a different context, to mean, low-quality, or not having depth

My local cafe doesn’t make my cappuccinos frothy enough, so I go to one near my work

There is so much froth in the movie making world, so many films that lack any depth.

To make all the difference = to be important, or the most important factor, or make a big impact

Good weather makes all the difference on a wedding day that is outside.

It might not matter to you how frothy cappuccinos are, but to me it makes all the difference in the world.

Exercise 1

1. Write a short paragraph about your favourite food or drink, you could include some information on the history of its name, or where it’s from. Try to use some of the new words you’ve learnt.

Audio/Narration

https://soundcloud.com/english-burst-648683513

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