Lounge Loves | Whittard of Chelsea Hot Chocolate
A London-based speciality shop makes decadent concoctions of the winter drink in cocoa-friendly flavours
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The good news is that there’s still a whole month to go before we are forced to cook up new New Year diet and fitness resolutions. The bad news is that we recently spotted UK-based speciality tea and coffee shop chain Whittard of Chelsea’s hot chocolate tubs at Godrej Nature’s Basket outlets.
Unlike other supermarket drinking chocolate brands, Whittard of Chelsea isn’t about the cocoa-malt cross- breeds. They take their hot chocolate seriously—all the tins are made up of at least 30% cocoa, going up to an admirable 70% in some.
It’s also one of the few brands that specializes in fun flavours. Galaxy, Maltesers, Hershey’s and Bournville won’t count as flavoured drinking chocolate once you browse through Whittard’s collection of 18 flavours that include Rhubarb White Hot Chocolate, Lime & Chilli Hot Chocolate, Crème Brûlée White Hot Chocolate and Amaretto Hot Chocolate.
The brand also makes drinking chocolate in classic combinations like Orange Hot Chocolate and Mint Hot Chocolate that we love for its natural peppermint kick. The 70% Cocoa Hot Chocolate creates a rich, velvet texture whether it’s made European-style (with hot water) or American-style (with boiling hot milk). This is also the best choice for creating an adult hot chocolate—just spike it with some brandy, rum, kahlúa, Baileys Irish Cream or peppermint schnapps.
There’s nothing grown-up about the Banoffee Hot Chocolate though; it’s got the same sticky-sweet feel as the dessert pie. It’s best made with whole milk and served with a generous dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Children will also love the Rocky Road that’s made with little bits of marshmallow, cherries and biscuits.
No matter what flavour you pick, mixing Whittard’s hot chocolate in milk is a challenge. The powders are often so chocolatey that they form a thick coating on the spoon and the sides of the cup. A nifty battery-operated milk frother will help. German brand Gefu’s miniature hand-held blender not only creates a smooth, clump-free brew, it can also make airy layers of foam on top.
Whittard of Chelsea Hot Chocolate, priced ₹ 850 for a 375g tin, is available at Godrej Nature’s Basket stores countrywide; and Gefu Milk Frother, priced 990, is available at Home Collective stores in Mumbai, or at www.homecollective.in.
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