Many people enjoy a nice cup of warming cocoa, but despite chocolate being so popular, only artisan companies seem to pay proper wages (cocoa farmers often are paid very little in the poorest countries). From the Aztec word for ‘xocoatl’, here are some nice simple recipes made with plant-milk and better brands to buy.
This simple hot chocolate recipe (Tesco) is so easy. Just blend oat milk with a cinnamon stick, then add Sweet Freedom choc shot liquid chocolate, and top with vegan cream and a free-from chocolate bar.
Avoid caffeine for pregnancy/nursing. Keep chocolate away from pets, due to unsafe ingredients (cocoa, nuts, salt, dried fruits, xylitol). If ordering line, use a letterbox guard. Read more on food safety for people & pets.
Although we think of hot chocolate as a treat, the drink dates back thousands of years, and was even given to soldiers as medicine. But today most brands contain refined sugar and palm oil and chocolate which often is not good quality and often not fairly traded.
make your own vegan hot chocolate
This recipe for vegan hot chocolate (Rainbow Plant Life) combines both cocoa powder and melted dark chocolate for the ultimate rich drink. Top with vegan double cream.
the best brands of vegan hot chocolate
Knoops hot chocolate flakes are a bit more expensive, but that’s because they’re good. It may be a tenner, but after two cups, it’s more than paid for itself over inferior coffee-shop hot chocolates. The ‘milky version’ uses toasted gluten-free oats with single-estate dark chocolate.
Pump Street Chocolate is sold in lovely pink tins, just melt the discs into hot plant milk. Choose from three varieties: Ecuador (toffee, toasted walnut, cocoa), Bali (brown sugar, prune, hazelnut) or West Papua (almond, olive oil, sour cherry).
Montezuma’s Hot Chocolate Disks are sold in a pack of 20. Just place two to three discs in a cup of hot milk, sit for a couple of minutes, stir and Bob’s your uncle! The company is named after Emperor Montezuma II who drank up to 50 mugs a day, before entertaining his harem! Too many can give you diarrhoea, hence the phrase ‘Montezuma’s revenge!
Harry’s flavoured hot chocolate mixes
Harry’s Vegan Hot Chocolate is sold in tins, choose from a single flavour or variety pack. The original is joined by an orange chocolate (ideal if you like Terry’s chocolate orange but without the milk and palm oil), mint and a white hot chocolate.
choose plant-based marshmallows
Many people enjoy a hot chocolate with marshmallows. But many people are unaware that conventional versions contain gelatine (animal bones). You can buy vegan marshmallows in most stores these days, but most brands are not very healthy. Dandies is a better brand, made with organic ingredients. Due to their gummy nature, keep away from children and pets (choking hazard).
