Hot chocolate ..don’t understand why it’s a “thing”

[MrsGrindah]

Often read threads on here that include talking about hot chocolate as a treat. For example, “ snuggling up with a hot chocolate”, posh hot chocolate as a present, a pick me up when feeling ill etc. I just didn’t realise it was a popular treat. Never crosses my mind! Not judging it has just amused me that I am so out of touch!

You simply have not lived!

If you are ever in Turin, try a bicerin. It is espresso, thick hot chocolate, and milk or cream, layered in a glass. It is delicious but very rich and like rocket fuel. I had one after dinner once and didn't get to sleep until 2am.

A proper hot chocolate made with melted down chocolate with cream and sugar is definitely a treat! It’s not a drink you can drink all day every day is it. Therefore it’s a treat. It’s the only hot drink I enjoy!

It's ok but it's not a treat IMO however it's made

Visit Krakow in the winter, order the hot chocolate they make there and then let us know us if you feel the same. Even the best UK stuff is mostly milk and the Polish version ... errr ... isn't

@SapphireSeptember But then I wouldn't get the chocolate mousse they put on top...

Wait... the what???

A trip to the cafe to have real hot chocolate one of the highlights of my week. It’s definitely a treat when it’s made to perfection.

I get what you mean. Have had some really lovely hot chocolate but would never occur to me to make a pan up as a special treat, would just never desire that. But I don't particularly like that 'snuggle up under the blankets' type of a treat anyway (I run too hot for it and spill things too easily to consume them under anything that will be a pain to wash), so probably just that I'm not made that way.

This isn't about you, so don't let her make it something you are involved in. It sounds as though she is trying to involve you in something that simply is not your issue but is between her and her daughter. The way you have responded to her so far is perfect. Just repeat as necessary.

Sorry my post just now is on the wrong thread.

Costa’s Black Forest hot chocolate is gorgeous, much nicer than I expected!

I quite like hot chocolate (remember being ever so impressed, as a teen on a French exchange, that you could have it for breakfast, and every day!)
But the one that boggles me is the idea that having a fucking bath (you know, that thing you do quickly so you don't stink too much) is some sort of treat. Or going to a spa. Eww. Horrible idea. I like a swim now and again but I hate massage in any shape or form and cannot comprehend how having mud slapped on your face is supposed to be relaxing.

Well I make it with whipped cream and/or marshmallows on top and a mini flake to dip in so it feels like a real treat to me.

It was always uppermost on the DCs' minds when they came in from playing in the snow. I used to make a pot of Mexican style hot choc (easing up on the chili powder a little) and they would poison it with marshmallows and drink it.

It's really the only hot drink the DCs used to have until they were old enough for coffee or tea. The Mexican style is very warming after a few hours out in the cold.

I wouldn't make it for myself - staunch believer in tea, and I prefer my chocolate straight up.

It just all comes down to your own perspective of "normal", doesn't it?

To me it's a bit different because my parents never drank or gave us hot chocolate. Just wasn't a thing in my family and I never took it up as an adult. My parents do drink coffee though and so do I.

Another popular one on mumsnet is to have a glass of wine (or gin!) to feel better about something. I only drink on special occasions and at parties, etc. so to me this is a very different culture.

@QueenOfOversharing Oh yes. It's amazing! They call it chocolate cream I think but it's definitely more of a chocolate mouse. If you look at the list of shops here it'll tell you which ones have the cafe. I once took a detour to Euston when I was in London just to get a hot chocolate. (Hardcore.) This was in June when it was 30C.

www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/chocolate-shops

For us it is more of a ritual rather than a special treat for those cold days when get back from a long walk, dirty or wet. Put the fire on, dry and clean the dog, change into dry clothes and sit down to watch a family film together with hot chocolate. DD goes over the top though as she insists I add all sorts of crap like mini marshmallows but that’s OK. I agree with others, a select brand does taste nicer than the cheaper versions. However, my personal idea of a treat for a hot drink is a boring cup of plain chamomile or mint tea, it just makes me feel better and I like the subtle flavour. Boring, I know.

We snuggle under blankets in our house quite a bit as it's cheaper than putting the heating on 😉

I like a wee cioccolata fiorentina.

In what must come as shock news other families like and do different things to yours

@SapphireSeptember I live about 15 min drive from Euston!!!! But I am also fat & would like to be less fat I'm going to check the other cafes too! Thank you!!

@SapphireSeptember there's one in Westfield & I'm there on Friday! wears elasticated trousers

Have you tried a proper hot chocolate made from chocolate flakes rather than powder? Eg from Whittard, Hotel chocolate or Selfridges. It is fabulous. I can understand finding basic supermarket instant hot chocolate underwhelming, it’s shit

I’ve tried loads of hot chocolates incl luxury ones as I’d quite like to like it, I just don’t. :(

I feel like this about cake! Why have we as a nation become obsessed about bloody cake!! Cake is cake, always has been and always will be and you can even eat it whenever you bloody like 🙄.

You're welcome! Enjoy! And think of me, as on Friday I'll be working and putting up with the shite hot chocolate we have at work. I'm in London on the 16th/17th for a gig and I think I'll be popping to Euston both days! (I go into London via King's Cross so it's only a short hop on the Tube.)

I'm generally underwhelmed by the various sachets and powders. But many years ago in Latvia, I had a hot chocolate that was basically rich melted chocolate in an espresso cup. It was wonderful.