FOOD NEWS
Add Depth Of Flavor To Hot Chocolate With A Dash Of Vanilla Extract
BY LUNA REGINA
Fragrantly floral and with a delightfully sweet aroma, vanilla is a long-time trusted flavor enhancer for most desserts. In hot chocolate, it proves to be just as valuable.
Its delicate and ambrosial taste counterbalances cocoa's dark and bitter tones. As the richness melts away, you'll also be tasting the vanilla scent lingering in the aftertaste.
If you have time, add vanilla beans to the milk as you're heating it, or consider soaking them in the milk for a few hours before adding the chocolate for a more intense infusion.
Otherwise, simply add the vanilla extract, paste, or powder when you put the cocoa powder into the milk and add any other ingredients you might be using, like cinnamon or nutmeg.