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(EDITOR’S NOTE: Before publishing this article we conducted a taste test, with students comparing Ms. Harris’ homemade recipe with store bought hot chocolate. Check back for the video results!)

The favorited chocolate delight has a day for the sweet taste it has, but cocoa is a very popular ingredient for many foods you’d never guess!

Flashback 5,000 years ago when cocoa was first discovered by European explorers in South America, where it was already used and known. The Spaniards were first to think that maybe the taste of the cocoa was quite bitter, so chocolate became an adaptive taste.

When Europe was introduced to the ingredient, they took part in making this a luxury drink that was popular throughout a wide variety of people, especially the wealthy. When it started to  gain sweetness, the invention of milk chocolate came around, and right after that in 1828 the invention of powdered chocolate came to be. A while after, milk chocolate and instant hot cocoa became known.

In 1824 the famous brand, Cadbury, was found by John Cadbury in Birmingham, U.K., where he was making business selling tea, coffee, and just straight up chocolate drinks. It was all love for the chocolate until 1947 when prices for candy bars went up 3 cents, and that began furious protests.

Surprisingly, cocoa is actually a healthy benefit for your body, which might be a surprise considering how sugary it may taste. In fact, there are many benefits chocolate has on your health that you could never guess. Chocolate can increase your heart health, boost your focus, and energy.

Have a sweet day and enjoy a good glass of hot cocoa and a chocolate chip cookie! Don’t eat too much chocolate though.

COOKING TEACHER MS. HARRIS SHARED HER HOMEMADE HOT COCOA RECIPE WITH THE BLUEPRINT.

2 servings:
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
¼ cup chocolate chips
⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 single serving:
1 cup milk
1 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons chocolate chips
1-2 drops vanilla extract
Nutrition: Calories: 323kcal