The Difference Between Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa

Chilly weather immediately turns my attention to cozy blankets and hot beverages, and if I can have the two together, well, even better. Tea is my drink of choice, and I likely consume far too may cups each day, and my kids enjoy downing cups of hot chocolate or hot cocoa to warm themselves up from the inside out.
Did you realize that there’€™s a difference between the two drinks? Today, the terms are used interchangeably, but in actuality they are quite different, and the taste is distinguishable once you know what they are.

Hot chocolate, the richer, thicker, more intensely flavoured of the two, is made from ground or chopped chocolate (which contains cocoa butter) and warm milk. Hot cocoa is prepared by combining cocoa powder (no cocoa butter, so low in fat) with sugar/sweetener, and warm milk or hot water. With hot cocoa, the chocolate flavour is present but the rich intensity is missing. However, it’€™s the more nutritious option of the two, as it has less calories and fat, and also happens to be good for your heart.

For those who prefer hot cocoa, this recipe is a popular one with the SavvyMom staffers (feel free to use your favourite sweetener in place of the sugar), and if you’€™re looking for a little indulgence, this hot chocolate recipe never disappoints.

Are you a hot chocolate or hot cocoa drinker? Did you know there was a difference between the two?