Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

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

180 replies

MrsGrindah · 06/11/2019 21:48

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!

OP posts:
bigflowerdog · 06/11/2019 23:48

First snow it's a family tradition to have hot chicks and also every snow day. We got over 20 snow days last year so lots of hot chocolate was drank!

And I remember my school shutting lots more in the 80's than it does now. Hmm

VenusTiger · 06/11/2019 23:48

Meh. It’s a “treat” when you’re four.
Love chocolate but hot chocolate is too sickly and sweet eurgh!

MrsFoxPlus4Again · 07/11/2019 00:38

Snow days are definitely a thing here.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General food
RainbowMum11 · 07/11/2019 00:50

I only have got chocolate on really cold winters days, with snow etc when we aren't going anywhere so are having a snuggly afternoon, or we have been out for a nice cold walk . I do put Baileys in mine though, that's what makes it special!!!

57Varieties · 07/11/2019 00:52

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 🙄.*

Ah I love cake, but only the cakes I make myself, much nicer than shop sugary shit!

Insomniacscientist · 07/11/2019 00:58

Hot chocolate needs to be served with cream and marshmallows in order to be truly appreciated

BuzzShitbagBobbly · 07/11/2019 02:15

Snuggling with the family under a blanket drinking hot chocolate is talked about like it is decadent and luxurious.

And by the time they have all snuggled (which sounds like a recipe for spillage!) the drink will have cooled, so 10mins later it's all done anyway!

HerRoyalNotness · 07/11/2019 02:37

My boys chase their baby sister with the skin from the milk of the hot chocolate,
It freaks her out. Fun and games

cavycavy · 07/11/2019 05:15

@AbsentmindedWoman

Ooooooh

Could I have your low carb recipe per chance??

2018SoFarSoGreat · 07/11/2019 06:04

We are a hot cocoa family. Totally different animal. Best grade organic dark cocoa powder, no sugar, fat free milk, warmed slowly and simmered for twenty minutes. Perfect. No sugar needed!

DGSs love this cocoa with marshmallows and cream. We have Christmas crystal mugs we use all holiday season, and it is a treat. I skip the marshmallows and add a splash of cognac. Nothing better on a winter night.

BouleBaker · 07/11/2019 06:15

We love hot chocolate as a treat here. As others have said, it’s the cold day equivalent of an ice cream. I have a stash of the Fortnum and Mason grated chocolate as well. A good hot chocolate should be thick and creamy, and both my DS like marshmallows with theirs. sometimes we’ll even have it on the sofa with blankets if we’ve been out in the cold.

MsChatterbox · 07/11/2019 06:52

It's a treat because it has a lot of sugar in it.

user1480880826 · 07/11/2019 06:56

I meant I didn’t see it as a treat.ie, I wouldn’t class tea or coffee as a treat.

They’re not really comparable are they? Hot chocolate is a treat just like any other sugary and unhealthy food/drink is a treat and not something you consume very regularly (if you care about your health).

Would you consider a bar of chocolate to be a treat?

bellinisurge · 07/11/2019 06:59

I had a massively serious problem recently when Starbucks didn't have the ingredients for my drink of choice. I fell back on hot chocolate.or into Grin

AngelsWithSilverWings · 07/11/2019 07:04

I only drink it on snow days too. My kids will drink it with marshmallows on the top and I have a splash of rum with mine, So I suppose I do see it as a treat but never think to make it unless it's snowing.

For some odd reason I always feel compelled to make a proper rice pudding on snow days too - must be a thing from my childhood.

OpheIiaBaIIs · 07/11/2019 07:04

DH makes white hot chocolate and it's a massive treat, probably because it's got about 25794 cals a cup so we only have it a couple of times a year (always on Christmas Eve). It's full cream milk with loads of white chocolate buttons melted into it topped with whipped cream and crushed amaretto biscuits. Fucked up good.

Itstheprinciple · 07/11/2019 07:15

Its not a new thing or a MN thing. I remember my nan making me hot chocolate before I went to bed when I stayed over there.

TheyMostlyComeOutAtNightMostly · 07/11/2019 07:18

Knoops in Rye serve the best hot choc in the UK - even DH who hates hot chocolate will drink theirs.

Bellasblankexpression · 07/11/2019 07:19

I think it’s because of the range of luxury (ie calorific) hot chocolates available now with adornments like squirty cream and marshmallows, grated chocolate etc... which makes it less of an every day thing and more of a treat.

dementedma · 07/11/2019 07:22

I get it Op. And agree with the poster who commented on the MN "hot choc" thing.

stucknoue · 07/11/2019 07:22

Proper cocoa is delicious (the instant hot chocolate not so much!) it's very calorific so definitely an occasional treat plus you actually cook it so takes time. Like everything it's a trend

Ithinkwerealonenowtiffany · 07/11/2019 07:27

I rarely drink it, only when McDonalds bring out their Christmas cups to get me festive.

Exp1etiveDeLighted · 07/11/2019 07:30

So many suggestions over Christmas about making up a ‘hamper’ (these give me the rage at the best of times) with a mug, sachet of hot chocolate and mini marshmallows - to me, that’s a crap present!

Totally agree with this - we have mugs galore, sachet hot chocolate is generally shite and we always have a pack of mini marshmallows in because DD has them on hers about once a week.

We get snow days in the SE, rural market town surrounded by hills means we get cut off quite easily. My DCs teens and its not that long ago that we had to listen to local radio for snow closures because internet lists weren't a thing (and you could stay in bed rather than go downstairs and boot up the pc).

orangeteal · 07/11/2019 07:55

"I rarely drink it, only when McDonalds bring out their Christmas cups to get me festive."

McDonald's hot chocolate is rank!! No wonder you rarely drink it!

Veterinari · 07/11/2019 07:55

@userxx
Have you been living under a rock? What do you expect schools to do when staff are unable to safely travel in? Snow days were regular in the 80s and in 1990-1991 my school was closed for over a week due to snow and associated power cuts. Are you suggesting we should all have been more ‘hardcore’ and trudged in to sit in dark icy classrooms to be taught by no one as the roads were closed and teaching staff unavailable? Whereabouts in the UK are you that you’ve never had a snow day? Somewhere southwest? Warm and damp I expect. Certainly somewhere that doesn't Encourage imagination or an understanding of experiences outside your own!

Any yes hot chocolate was popular for me as a kid. Too sickly as an adult now though I occasionally like a strong cocoa with just a dash of sugar and whisky - much nicer GrinSmile