Issue 40: Back to Spain...
I just realised this morning that I hadn't finished sharing posts from my trip exploring the history of chocolate through Spain. I left you high in the mountains in Sotres, siping hot chocolate and eating Cabrales cheese. I know that isn't a terrible place to be left, but it has been far too long and it is about time I finish telling you about this chocolate fuelled trip that dates back to pre COVID years (remember those?).
First stop, Astorga
It is a beautiful drive from Sotres to Astorga, one of the first European cities that tasted chocolate when shipments started arriving into Spain (which was the first European country to enjoy chocolate). The chocolate industry quickly grew here and the first chocolate factory in Astorga opened in 1580. It eventually became one of the main producers of chocolate in Spain. Today there are still several historic companies including Lenin Chocolatier, Chocolates Santocildes and La Cepedana. La Cepedana is a chocolate shop/museum and I could have spent all day sipping my hot chocolate while admiring old chocolate making machines and sipping cups.
Salamanca
The Cathedral, Casa de las Conchas, Casa Lis, Salamanca is filled with architectural marvels and food, lots of good food. Sit and enjoy a drink at Plaza Mayor, one of the largest squares in Spain. If you do stay the night, which you should, Parador de Salamanca offers stunning views across the city and historic rooms. When you are ready for your hot chocolate visit Chocolate Valor for chocolate with churros.
Toledo
Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site also considered to be one of the most beautiful places in Spain, rises up in layers. At the bottom there are narrow medieval streets and further up renaissance spires and bell towers. If you don't know Toledo as the first capital of Spain (until Madrid took over in 1561), you know it because of the famous novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. Here is the land where his knight explored and you will see evidence of this connection throughout the historic centre including all sorts of statues in honour of this knight (including one made completely out of marzipan). The region is known for its marzipan which is sold throughout town. We had an ice cream at Chocolate Experience and a hot chocolate at Cafe de las Monjas.
Cuenca
Mid way between Madrid and Valencia is the historic walled city of Cuenca. The UNESCO World Heritage city is famous for its "casas coladas" or handing houses with wooden balconies that hang straight out over high cliffs. If you walk over Puente de San Pablo footbridge you get excellent views of these. We only partially come here to see the city; we also visited for the chance to stay in the Parador de Cuenca. Paradores are state run hotels that are set in restored castles, monasteries, convents and fortresses. This one is located in a 16th century convent just opposite the hanging houses. The Parador also has several common spaces where you can sit down and enjoy a traditional thick Spanish hot chocolate, and pretend this is your castle.
If you have more time in Spain, also consider visiting Monasterio De Piedra, considered to be the first spot in Europe where chocolate was made. Today it has a chocolate museum and you can still visit the rooms where chocolate was made.
Chocolate News
What is the definition of handmade in chocolate? The kiwis have been rocked by a chocolate scandal that impacts us all; products using the term handmade that aren’t. Basically a local company “handcrafted” pineapple pieces dipped in milk chocolate, neither product made by the company itself. @lukeowensmith comments on this further on instagram. What is handmade in chocolate and can chocolate even be called handmade? Let me know what you think and I’ll share thoughts in a future issue.
Here is a list of different mushroom hot chocolates which seems to be the next big thing (I have Raaka Magic Mushroom hot chocolate on my shopping list).
Toblerone bars will no longer have the image of the Matterhorn mountain on packaging because the bars are no longer made in Switzerland (they can still be melted down into a hot chocolate…).
The 5 best milk frothers according to chefs (what about according to chocolatiers? Any recommendations?)
Leaving you with a bit of science. I recently learnt that there is a thing called the Hot Chocolate Effect which you can recreate at home.
Have a great week!
Giselle
Chief Chocolate Sipper at www.ultimatehotchocolate.com. Follow on Instagram @ultimatehotchoc