I miss hot chocolate. It’s not really the chocolate that I miss, although chocolate is a big part. I miss the feeling that I get from drinking it. I miss the snuggly, sweet feeling of having a beverage that warms my body and calms my mind. I am a tea drinker but there is something different about a cup of hot chocolate versus a nice cup of tea. I am tempted, especially during these uncertain times, to throw the “no chocolate” (a.k.a. caffeine) restriction out the window and just drink a cup of hot chocolate. This would mean risking a night of no sleep but it may be worth it.

When I researched National Hot Chocolate Day, I found some great information on the Nationaldaycalendar.com website. On the site, they give some history and name some of the differences between hot cocoa versus hot chocolate. To paraphrase:

Hot Cocoa - uses cocoa powder, heated milk or water and sugar. On the site it said, “In the early 1800s, Casparus van Houten Sr. developed a process to separate the cocoa solids from the butter. His son, Coenraad Johannes made those fats more soluble in water. Together their processes made cocoa powder possible.”

Hot Chocolate - has been around longer than cocoa powder. According to nationaldaycalendar.com “2000 years ago, the Mayans likely created the first chocolate beverage. A cocoa beverage was also an essential part of Aztec culture by 1400 AD. Europe popularized the drink after it was introduced from Mexico in the New World.” Hot chocolate uses ground chocolate (which contains cocoa butter). The nickname is drinking chocolate and during the 19th century, it offered medicinal benefits for stomach issues. Also noted is that in victorian times, it was part of ceremonial culture.

When I learned that there is a difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate, I was bummed. I thought it was only semantics - sort of like how we can say donut or doughnut - which is the same thing. Now I feel weird that I am knowingly passing along information that is for both hot cocoa and hot chocolate. National Hot Cocoa Day is on December 13th but National Hot Chocolate day is on January 31st. Oh well…here are some fun thoughtful pinches that pertain to either hot cocoa or hot chocolate.

This is my son’s Xmas gift from my in-laws. This takes hot chocolate to a whole new level. Adding the tropical feeling of being on vacay. It’s like a Mounds Bar in a cup. Did you see the marshmallows? I had to do some quality control to make sure t… — This is my son’s Xmas gift from my in-laws. This takes hot chocolate to a whole new level. Adding the tropical feeling of being on vacay. It’s like a Mounds Bar in a cup. Did you see the marshmallows? I had to do some quality control to make sure they were good enough for my son and I can report: Um, delish!

Now this wasn’t a gift but I bought it for a taste test in case I would give it out as a pinch. My son was excited to try it because he likes mint and chip ice cream. We both thought it should be similar in taste. I think the mint, for him, was over… — Now this wasn’t a gift but I bought it for a taste test in case I would give it out as a **pinch**. My son was excited to try it because he likes mint and chip ice cream. We both thought it should be similar in taste. I think the mint, for him, was overpowering the chocolate. But my son is picky. Trader Joe’s barely misses the mark so I don’t think it would be a waste to try it if you like the combo.

This flavor reminds me of the Dirty Girls Scout drinks that I shared with our friends visiting from California for a Vikings game. It was one of the coldest days in MN and because the Metrodome’s roof collapsed, the Vikings were playing in the TCF Bank Stadium which has no roof. We bought hot chocolate at the concession stand and enhanced the flavor and the moment by adding some Peppermint Schnapps. Thin Mints of another kind.

Lachlan and Rick came to a home football game every year for years - in all the cities we lived in. I’m sure we will see them in Denver too!

I think my mom drank Dirty Girl Scouts with us to stay warm at the game. I borrowed this jacket from my neighbor Dana.

Speaking of Dana, because I’m lucky to have a neighbor like Dana who is so thoughtful, I received this for Xmas last year. I know it must be very good because there are shavings of both chocolate and vanilla chocolate and it’s my son’s favorite. T… — Speaking of Dana, because I’m lucky to have a neighbor like Dana who is so **thoughtful**, I received this for Xmas last year. I know it must be very good because there are shavings of both chocolate and vanilla chocolate and it’s my son’s favorite. This is the real deal. Speaking of Dana, she once gave our family her own homemade version of hot cocoa mix and homemade marshmallows. Sweat equity gifts are her jam; she is so good at putting in the work to let us know we are special. That was a favorite for sure!

My son is not a big breakfast eater and so to get some sort of warmth in his body at the beginning of a school day, I make him hot cocoa. I was starting to worry that I was throwing away a lot of packaging and so I bought a big tub of the mix to red… — My son is not a big breakfast eater and so to get some sort of warmth in his body at the beginning of a school day, I make him hot cocoa. I was starting to worry that I was throwing away a lot of packaging and so I bought a big tub of the mix to reduce the trash (wink: it’s also a lot less expensive). Swiss Miss takes me back to my first year of advertising as a media assistant, when I drank coffee and ate chocolate. I would combine half of a Swiss Miss hot cocoa packet with half of a cup of coffee. The low budget mocha latte.

Cocoa Bombs were the biggest gift of the 2020 holiday season. I had no clue but thankfully learned about them on a group chat. The pinches above were from my cousin Pauline. I felt pretty lucky that we received the coveted gift item of the year! Ar… — Cocoa Bombs were the biggest gift of the 2020 holiday season. I had no clue but thankfully learned about them on a group chat. The **pinches** above were from my cousin Pauline. I felt pretty lucky that we received the coveted gift item of the year! Around here, the stores couldn’t keep up with the demand. These types of bombs are a fine way to spread some sweet cheer!

My friend Allison gave us the cocoa bomb above and below - made by yesmaamsouthernkitchen.com. Skol!

I understood what the hype was all about when I drank this White Chocolate cocoa bomb. I was delighted, like a little kid, when I saw mini marshmallows pop up in my cup. It tasted so good that when I finished the drink, I licked the cup clean.

From my friend Katie. I was a happy recipient of an over-grateful thoughtful pinch. — From my friend Katie. I was a happy recipient of an over-grateful **thoughtful pinch.**

Katie gave us the cocoa bombs in these cups with gingerbread men, stirrers and Nutcracker napkins. So cute!

I love that Nationaldaycalendar.com also posted that “…There are health benefits to drinking hot chocolate. Cocoa contains significant amounts of antioxidants that may help prevent cancer. It has also been shown that the cocoa beans help with digestion. The flavonoids that are found in the cocoa also have a positive effect on arterial health.” Yay! I knew there had to be benefits to drinking this drink! This validates the feeling I mentioned in the first paragraph. Our wise bodies know these things. Of course, I think if we over-indulge just to have that feeling continuously, we won’t appreciate what a good cup of hot chocolate can do for us.

These are just a few examples of ways to use tiny gifts to have fun and show thoughtfulness. National Hot Chocolate Day could just be another excuse to get something warm and sweet into the hands (or stomachs) of someone you care about. So on Monday, January 31st, if crunched for time, do a Starbucks run for hot chocolate. Or when stopping for gas, I think the major chains sell hot chocolate in their convenient stores so pick up a few cup fulls. Don’t make this hard, make it sweet. Cheers!

Pinches,

Barb