If you just happen to love chocolate, you will not be disappointed in Guatemalan chocolate. Guatemalan chocolate is special. Chocolate has been part of Guatemala's cuisine since the early Mayans. According to anthropologists the Mayans were the first to make chocolate. You may have seen the movie Chocolat. It makes a connection with the significance of chocolate in the Mayan world.
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| Cacao pods contain cocoa beans © Spaswinefood |
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Jar of Cocoa Beans © Spaswinefood
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Cocoa bean is the source of cocoa solids and cocoa butter. These ingredients form the basis of chocolate, hot chocolate and foods such as "mole" sauce and "tejate" drink. Cacao is grown on the Pacific Coast of Guatemala where there has been a long history of cultivation.
Artesanal chocolate is available at many shops around Antigua, such as Tabacos y Vinos, Saberíco and Chocola La La.
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| Chocolate Sightings © Spaswinefood |
There is nothing more tasty than artesanal chocolates. The chocolates made at Chocola La La are absolutely wonderful!
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| More Chocolate Sightings © Spaswinefood |
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| Artisan chocolates at Chocola La La Tienda © Spaswinefood |
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| Artisan Chocolates © Spaswinefood |
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| Chocolate with a little chili spice is to die for! © Spaswinefood |
Guatemalan hot chocolate is so popular it is considered part of Guatemala's cultural heritage.
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| Making Chocolate © Spaswinefood |
The Foodies Kitchen provides a great recipe for Guatemalan hot chocolate and other wonderful chocolate delights.
On my chocolate outings I have managed to find some good Guatemalan chocolate bars.
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| Epicure has a good selection of chocolate © Spaswinefood |
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| Artisanal Chocolate at Tienda Delicio © Spaswinefood |
Chocolate has become a part of everyday cuisine in Guatemala. Many desserts have chocolate as a key ingredient. Of course that wonderful chocolate turns up in ice cream at Cafe Barraco.
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| Chocolate Ice Cream © Spaswinefood |
The best chocolate mousse in town I had was at Como Como Restaurant.
Recently I tried a great chocolate dessert at Caffé Bourbon.
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| Chocolate Mousse at Como Como Restaurant is heavenly © Spaswinefood |
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| Fondant Au Chocolat © Spaswinefood |
Welten, another great restaurant advertises Mousse Au Chocolat. I need to stop by soon to taste.
One visitor's discovery of Guatemalan chocolate reminds me of what sometimes happens to folks visiting Antigua. However, if your passion for chocolate is still not satisfied then check out the Chocolate In Context Blog. Of course there is also all those wonderful movies (Como Agua Para Chocolate, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . . . ).
Happy " Valentines Day", or as it is most commonly said" Dia de San Valentino" (Latin America), "Dia del Amor y la Amistad" ( in some parts of South America "Day of Love and Friendship") and in Guatemala "Dia del Cariño".
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| Dia del Caiño is a time for Chocolate © Spaswinefood |
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| Dia del Caiño is a time for Chocolate © Spaswinefood |
I invite you to join me in my travels in Guatemala and elsewhere at Spaswinefood, or you can visit my travel column at the Examiner.
Sharon
Antigua, Guatemala
February 2011
© Spaswinefood
© Spaswinefood
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| Guatemalan Chocolate Bar © Spaswinefood |
Spaswinefood posts on Guatemalan food related topics:
Thanks for the mention Sharon! We also have a recipe for Guatemalan Chocolate cupcakes that we are sure you will love! Here is the link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thefoodieskitchen.com/2010/07/guatemalan-chocolate-cupcakes/
Kitty from The Foodies' Kitchen
Kitty,
ReplyDeleteI love this recipe !! Thanks for posting this link.
Sharon, Spaswinefood