Hot drinks: tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, preparation technology, serving rules

Composition and properties of the product

Cocoa is one of the most famous childhood drinks. It has not only excellent taste, but also high nutritional value. Calorie content per 100 g of dry product is about 230 kcal. The share of proteins of plant origin is at least 19 g, fats - 14 g, carbohydrates - 58 g. The rest is ash and water. As a result of this combination, the drink can quickly satisfy hunger and provide energy for a long time. In terms of zinc content, cocoa powder is second only to pumpkin seeds, and iron - to meat. The ratio of nutrients and valuable microelements is ideal for a child who is not allergic to the product. The finished drink contains a lot of dietary fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, theophylline, which helps strengthen the nervous system, and melanin, which protects against harmful ultraviolet rays.

In addition, cocoa contains folic acid, theobromine, the antioxidant flavonol, and vitamins A, E, B, and PP. Among the minerals, magnesium, calcium, fluorine, phosphorus, and potassium occupy a special place.

The main properties include the following:

• strengthening the immune system;
• formation of teeth and bone tissue;
• increased mental performance;
• rapid recovery after physical activity;
• improved mood;
• protection against free radicals;
• normalization of hematopoietic functions.

The benefits of a chocolate drink for schoolchildren include improving memory, stress resistance, and providing them with energy for the whole day. Cocoa helps with dry coughs and quickly restores strength after a cold.

Beneficial features

Many have noticed that cocoa-based drinks improve their mood and performance. This is due to its composition. These beans contain a lot of antioxidants, natural antidepressants, and tonics. Therefore, they have the following beneficial effects on the body:

• slow down the aging process;
• help fight depression;
• relieve tension and help you relax;
• normalize sleep;
• improve heart function;
• restore strength after physical exertion and illnesses;
• improve memory and mental activity;
• normalize blood pressure;
• prevent the development of heart attacks and strokes;
• protect from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays and sunburn;
• have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the respiratory system.

Cocoa is good for adults and children

Scientists have found that a hot drink is healthier because, after heating, more antioxidants and other biologically active compounds are released from the cocoa beans.

Children over 3 years old, older people, and athletes can drink cocoa. It is recommended for pathologies of the cardiovascular system, high cholesterol, and colds. You can drink this drink for diabetes and for weight loss, but without adding cream or sugar.

Classic recipe for cocoa with milk for children

Cocoa for children, the recipe for which is presented below, involves the use of a standard set of products that allow you to brew a classic drink with milk.

Ingredients used:

• 1.5 tbsp. l. cocoa powder,
• 2 tsp. granulated sugar,
• 200 ml milk 2.5% fat.

Preparation:

Step 1 : Prepare all ingredients.

Step 2 : Mix cocoa powder and sugar in a separate bowl.

Step 3 : Heat the milk in a saucepan, do not bring to a boil.

Step 4 : Pour a quarter of the warmed milk into the cocoa and sugar mixture. Mix gently until a homogeneous consistency is obtained.

Step 5 : pour the resulting mass into the rest of the milk and warm it up a little more.

Step 6 : Pour cocoa into a cup. Serve warm.

Coffee.

There are several ways to prepare and serve coffee. To brew coffee, use special saucepans - Turks, coffee pots or special coffee makers.

Natural black coffee. Rinse the coffee pot or pan with boiling water, add coffee powder according to the norm, pour boiling water, bring to a boil, but do not boil. After this, the coffee is settled, filtered, poured into a coffee pot or poured directly into cups, glasses and served. Available in 100, 150, 200 ml.

Oriental coffee. Finely ground coffee is poured into the Turk, all the sugar is as required, cold water is poured, heated to a boil (until foam forms), but do not allow it to boil. Coffee is poured into small coffee cups without straining, with grounds. Cold boiled water is served separately. You can add a few drops of water to the cup to help the grounds settle faster.

Coffee with milk. The coffee is brewed very concentrated, filtered, boiling milk is poured in and brought to a boil. Served in coffee pots, refined sugar separately in a vase.

Viennese coffee. The cream (fat content of at least 35%) is cooled, powdered sugar is added and whipped. Brew black coffee, add sugar and bring to a boil again. In cups or glasses with a capacity of 250 ml, pour coffee not to the very top and add whipped cream.

Warsaw style coffee. Milk is poured into a frying pan, placed in the oven, the foam is skimmed off several times and cut into pieces. Brew black coffee with half the amount of water, strain it, add sugar, baked milk left over from making the foam, bring the coffee to a boil, then pour it into cups or glasses and put the foam on top.

Black coffee with ice cream (glazed). Sugar is added to the finished black coffee, cooled to 8-10ºC, poured into glasses and a scoop of ice cream placed on top.

Milk cocoa recipe for children

Cocoa with milk is a tasty and healthy drink that will give you strength and put you in a good mood for the whole day. You can use different ingredients for decoration, but children especially like drinks with soft marshmallows. To prepare you will need:

• 1 glass of low-fat milk,
• 1 glass of water,
• marshmallows (colored, white),
• 2 tsp. Sahara,
• 2 tbsp. l. cocoa.

Step by step recipe:

Step 1 : Prepare all ingredients. Take boiled and warm milk.

Step 2 : Combine the amount of sugar according to the recipe with cocoa in a separate container.

Step 3 : Pour a small amount of boiling water over the dry mixture. Mix vigorously.

Step 4 : Pour the remaining boiling water into the plate with the chocolate mixture in a thin stream.

Step 5 : Pour the resulting mixture into a saucepan with warm milk. Heat until bubbles form.

Step 6 : Serve the finished drink with small soft marshmallows. Marshmallows go well with cocoa and give a delicate flavor.

What is the difference between hot chocolate and cocoa?

Drinks differ from each other in their preparation technology. Of course, we're not talking about hot chocolate out of a bag. This version is made from melted chocolate with the addition of cream and milk. Cocoa is made from the bean cake that remains after the oil is produced. You can cook it in milk or water.

The second thing that distinguishes hot chocolate from cocoa is consistency. Hot chocolate is thick and can even be used as a substitute for dessert. Cocoa is more liquid and not as sweet.

Hot chocolate and cocoa

Depending on the preparation method, the differences between cocoa and hot chocolate will be minimal. Especially if these are store-bought options for quick brewing. It also all depends on the recipe. It’s enough to experiment a little with drinks, adding spices to them, adjusting the sweetness and amount of milk, and you’ll get a signature recipe!

Cocoa with cinnamon and cookies recipe

Cocoa prepared according to this recipe is a real treat for a child of any age. Cookies are an additional source of energy and go well with a chocolate drink.

Ingredients used:

• one glass of milk (250 ml),
• ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon (it is better to grind just before cooking),
• 1.5 tbsp. l. cocoa powder,
• 100 g cookies,
• 2 tsp. granulated sugar.

Cooking step by step:

Step 1 : prepare the ingredients, first grind the cinnamon sticks or take ready-made powder.

Step 2 : Mix cocoa and sugar in a deep cup. Mix.

Step 3 : Pour a small portion of warm milk into the dry ingredients. Stir so that there are no lumps.

Step 4 : Add the remaining milk, stir gently.

Step 5 : Place the mixture on the heat in a saucepan until bubbles form, but do not boil.

Step 6 : Add ground spice to the prepared hot cocoa, mix gently and thoroughly.

Step 7 : Remove from heat, pour into cup, crumble cookies into drink. Add cookies to taste.

Use in cooking

Cocoa beans are widely used in cooking. They are usually used to make candies, icing, cream, ice cream, and added to baked goods and dairy products. They give dishes a distinct chocolate flavor and brown color. But most often cocoa is used to prepare delicious tonic drinks. It is combined with vanilla, cinnamon, honey. They are made with milk or cream, adding butter and chocolate.

How to cook properly

It is best to use cocoa powder rather than instant. It contains more nutrients and is more aromatic. But you need to cook it correctly. Many people make mistakes and the cocoa ends up with lumps.

This powder is very fine, and even oily. Therefore, it is difficult to dissolve it. Do not pour it into liquid or fill it with it. To make the drink homogeneous, first stir the powder in a small amount of hot water, grinding until a homogeneous paste is obtained.

But first it is mixed with granulated sugar. It helps to rub out lumps. It is recommended to take them in a 1:1 ratio, since cocoa has a bitter taste. But there are recipes where less sugar is added or honey is added instead.

Natural cocoa powder

There are several more important rules for preparing classic cocoa:

• The drink must be stirred constantly so that grains of powder do not settle to the bottom or burn;
• you cannot boil it, just bring it to a boil, then remove it from the heat, otherwise it will acquire a bitter taste;
• Before use, it is recommended to beat the foam with a mixer;
• To prevent a film from forming, sprinkle it with grated chocolate.

Classic recipe

Making classic cocoa is easy. For a glass of milk you will need a tablespoon of cocoa and sugar, as well as 2 tbsp. l. hot water. Mix the powder and sand thoroughly, add water, dissolve to a homogeneous paste. Bring milk to a boil, add the resulting mixture. Stirring constantly, wait until bubbles and foam appear, remove from heat.

ADVICE. It is better to drink this drink from thick-walled ceramic cups, in which it will cool slowly.

With vanilla

A more pronounced taste and aroma will be obtained if you mix cocoa powder with sugar and a pinch of salt. Brew it according to the classic recipe, and add a little vanillin at the end.

A delicious drink made with milk and vanilla

Mexican

To prepare the classic Mayan drink, you need to take the following ingredients:

• a glass of milk;
• a spoonful of sugar;
• 2 spoons of cocoa;
• a third of a teaspoon of vanilla;
• a pinch of cinnamon, salt and cayenne pepper.

Mix all the powders with a small amount of milk and water, add the remaining milk. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly.

Hot chocolate

You can make hot chocolate using cocoa powder. This is a fattier, more nutritious drink. It is made from the following components:

• 2 spoons of cocoa;
• spoon of sugar;
• a glass of milk;
• 50 g dark chocolate;
• 100 ml cream;
• cinnamon and vanillin to taste.

You need to melt the chocolate separately, mix with cream and cinnamon. Prepare a base from powder, sugar and a small amount of water. Pour into milk, bring to a boil. Then mix with the prepared chocolate cream and simmer over low heat for a couple of minutes. It is advisable not to boil. Serve with whipped cream and grated chocolate.

With condensed milk

It is recommended to use only fresh natural milk or cream with a short shelf life for making cocoa. If this is not possible, it is permissible to take condensed milk instead. The drink will acquire a caramel flavor, so there is no need to add any additional seasonings or sugar. For a glass of water you need 3-4 tablespoons of condensed milk and a spoonful of powder.

Cocoa is a popular product for making delicious desserts and drinks. If you choose the right quality powder, it will bring many benefits. A drink prepared according to the rules will invigorate and lift your spirits.

Banana cocoa smoothie recipe

An original way to use cocoa is to make a banana smoothie, which has a pleasant taste and saturates the child’s body with energy. In this case, you should pay attention to the age of the child. The drink is a refreshing drink, it contains cream and honey, so it is not advisable for small children under 3 years of age to drink it.

The list of ingredients is as follows:

• honey - to taste (1 or 2 tsp.),
• bananas – 2 pcs.,
• cocoa powder – 1 tbsp. l.,
• cream 10% fat -100 ml.

Cooking steps:

Step 1 : Prepare ingredients, peel and chop bananas.

Step 2 : Using a blender, puree the bananas.

Step 3 : Add the desired amount of cocoa powder to the puree.

Step 4 : Next, add honey to taste, since no sugar is used. The natural sweetness of ripe bananas is also worth considering.

Step 5 : Pour in the cream in a thin stream and stir the resulting mixture.

Step 6 : Beat everything thoroughly with a blender again and pour into a glass.

Step 7 : You can add ice cubes to the finished smoothie for a nutritious, cool drink.

Composition and recipe for making hot chocolate

The secret to the perfect drink is the combination of ingredients and the right consistency. When preparing, it is important to adhere to the main rule - choose high-quality dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is also suitable, but with a cocoa bean content of at least 70%, otherwise all the charm of the drink will be lost. It is in this product that the content of milk fat and cocoa butter is optimal to give richness and thickness to hot chocolate.

The classic recipe is extremely simple:

1. Melt the chocolate bar in a water bath, stirring constantly so that the contents do not burn.
2. Add warm milk and bring to a boil.
3. Next, you can add sugar and any spices: cinnamon, cardamom and even a pinch of black pepper for added spice.

Many people don't like the overly sweet taste of hot chocolate. In this case, you can change the recipe and take more milk, bring it to a boil and dissolve the bar in it, focusing on the taste you want to get. Then add sugar and other spices. And then beat everything in a blender. The result is a drink with a chocolate flavor and a very delicate, creamy consistency.

Hot chocolate is a source of polyphenols. This substance improves immunity and slows down aging. It also contains beta-carotene, which is good for vision. Eating carrots or drinking a cup of hot chocolate to replenish the balance of elements in the body - the choice is yours.

The tasty drink is rich in riboflavin and nicotinic acid, which accelerate cell renewal, and thiamine helps fight stress.

Cocoa recipe with condensed milk

The use of condensed milk when preparing a chocolate drink allows you to achieve a delicate and pleasant taste. In this case, additional sweeteners are not required.

For preparation you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 glass of low fat milk,
• 4-5 tbsp. l. condensed milk without vegetable oils;
• 1 tbsp. l. cocoa.

Step-by-step recipe with photos:

Step 1 : Prepare all ingredients. The milk must be warmed.

Step 2 : Dissolve cocoa powder in 3 tablespoons of warm milk.

Step 3 : Add desired amount of condensed milk.

Step 4 : Place the resulting mixture on the stove and mix thoroughly. After this, pour in the remaining amount of milk and warm the cocoa well.

Step 5 : Pour the drink into a mug and let cool slightly.

Cocoa recipe from Royal Forest

You can diversify this healthy drink by adding your favorite ingredients. Any child will love fragrant cocoa with lush whipped cream foam. The main thing is to use fresh, high-quality ingredients and follow basic cooking rules.

To make delicious cocoa with whipped cream, you will need the following:

• 250 ml low-fat milk,
• whipped cream to decorate the drink (it’s best to whip it yourself),
• 1 tsp. Sahara,
• 1 tsp. vanilla sugar,
• 2 tbsp. l. Royal Forest cocoa.

Preparing cocoa with photos:

Step 1 : Prepare all ingredients, whip cream or use ready-made option.

Step 2 : Heat the milk or use already boiled warm milk.

Step 3 : Make a mixture of cocoa powder, regular sugar and vanilla in a separate bowl.

Step 4 : Pour warmed milk in a thin stream.

Step 5 : Mix thoroughly to achieve homogeneity.

Step 6 : Pour the resulting warm drink into a tall glass to leave room for the whipped cream.

Step 7 : Fill the glass with cream, garnish with sprinkles or chopped nuts if desired.

Features of preparing cocoa for a child aged 1, 2 and 3 years

At 1 and 2 years

Cocoa for a 1-year-old child can harm a fragile body, as it is a strong allergen. Due to other features of the composition (presence of tannins, tonic effect), pediatricians do not recommend including the powder in the menu of a one-year-old baby. Starting from 2 years of age, in the absence of contraindications, a child can prepare a drink, but under certain conditions. The base should be water. Only after some time, when the body has become accustomed to the new chocolate product, is milk added. It should not be taken fatty or low-fat. In the first case, it will create a load on the digestive tract, in the second it will not bring any benefit. The optimal option is from 1.5 to 2.5% fat content.

Particular attention should be paid to additional ingredients that improve the taste of cocoa. Honey is a strong allergen, so before adding it to a drink you should make sure there is no negative reaction. Brewed cocoa must be cooled slightly; it should not be given hot to small children to avoid burns. An adult must monitor the child’s reaction throughout the day.

At 3 years old

At 3 years old, a child can consume classic cocoa, in which the dose of powder does not exceed 1 teaspoon. The drink should be brewed in small portions - about 100 ml. You should not add untested components to which you may be intolerant: vanilla, heavy cream, cinnamon, etc. To reduce calorie content, it is recommended to replace a third of the milk with clean water. For older children, you can prepare a vitamin cocktail in which cocoa powder is mixed with rosehip syrup and berries to taste.

How to achieve a uniform consistency

It’s not difficult to brew delicious cocoa, just like in kindergarten, the main thing is to avoid the most common mistakes in cooking. If you pour all the liquid component into the powder at once or sprinkle it on top of milk/water, unappetizing lumps will appear and the consistency will become uneven. All dry ingredients should be mixed separately and then diluted in a small amount of heated liquid. The resulting mass is thoroughly mixed and only then poured into the main part of the milk. In this case, sugar is added to the powder until it combines with the liquid, since the grains help grind the cocoa lumps.

When cooking, it is important to constantly monitor the chocolate mass, stirring it. This will prevent heavy grains from settling to the bottom, which can cause the drink to burn and separate. To ensure that there is no film on the cocoa and the appearance remains attractive, you should lightly beat it before serving. Another option is to add small pieces of chilled butter. It is not recommended to bring cocoa to a boil to avoid the appearance of unpleasant bitterness. The container should be removed from the stove as soon as the liquid begins to bubble.

How to Serve Cocoa

A cocoa drink with a bright chocolate taste, which is also a treat for kids, is best served in the first half of the day. In this case, moderately sweet pastries or biscuits can be an addition to breakfast. In this case, it is recommended to reduce the amount of sugar in the drink, which will prevent problems with the child’s teeth and digestive system. If the recipe does not call for cold serving, then cocoa should be served warm, otherwise its taste will be lost.

The optimal time to take the drink is considered to be afternoon tea. However, during this period, cocoa should be served with dried fruits or nuts. It is not recommended to drink the drink at night, as it has a tonic and invigorating effect. To make cocoa more original in taste, you can add crushed cookies, marshmallows or whipped cream to it. This will not only enhance the taste of the product, but will also give the child more strength and a positive mood.

Cocoa is a healthy and unique drink that not only children like. Adults still remember its taste from an early age. When preparing a drink for a child, it is important to take into account the individual characteristics of the body and preferences, as well as age restrictions. By choosing quality ingredients and following the recipe you like, you can brew incredibly aromatic and tasty cocoa that even the most demanding child will not be able to refuse.