Can You Make Hot Chocolate Using An Espresso Machine
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Key Takeaways:
You can make hot chocolate using an espresso machine by using ground cocoa in place of coffee in the espresso machine or you can use the safer brew method where you mix cocoa powder and milk in a pitcher and use the steam wand to form a foam-mixture.
Hot chocolate (also called hot cocoa, drinking chocolate or just cocoa) is a delicious hot beverage. It is usually made by mixing chocolate or cocoa powder and sugar with warm milk or water. It is a warm drink that evokes memories of childhood and makes you happy to drink it. Some studies have shown that hot chocolate may be healthy because of antioxidants that are in cocoa.
Moreover, there is also a day dedicated to this cozy beverage. Each year January 31st is celebrated as the National Hot Chocolate Day.
There isn’t a more comforting hot beverage in the whole world than hot chocolate. It can manage to warm the very tips of your toes and wrap you in the warmest embrace. It’s the perfect companion to invite to an afternoon on the couch and the cosy touch to an evening.
Can an espresso machine make hot chocolate?
Hot chocolate is really very easy to make as it has very few ingredients and takes about 5 minutes to make and pour it into your favorite mug. There are several ways people use to make this simple beverage, but using a machine can certainly make it much easier and quicker.
So, can an espresso machine make hot chocolate? The answer is yes, it can. You can make it by using ground cocoa in place of coffee in the espresso machine or you can use the safer brew method where you mix cocoa powder and milk in a pitcher and use the steam wand to form a foam-mixture.
Because of cacao’s high fat content it tends to clog the burrs of an espresso machine, also, the outcome will probably not taste like hot cocoa that you are used to. So, the best way to make hot chocolate is to use the steaming wand to froth the milk mixed with cocoa powder and add toppings separately.
Is hot chocolate better than coffee?
Although many people think of hot chocolate as a soothing winter beverage, it could actually serve as your afternoon pick-me-up.
Like coffee, tea, and soda, hot chocolate contains caffeine. Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant that’s often used to provide a much-needed energy boost.
The exact amount of caffeine found in hot chocolate depends on how your drink was made. A medium coffee contains about 210mg of caffeine, and the same amount of hot chocolate contains 17.5mg. That’s 12 times the amount of caffeine!
Not to mention, if you take in too much caffeine, you will be at risk for withdrawal symptoms — headaches, sleepiness, anxiety, irritability.
Hot chocolate will help you sleep better, keep you in a great mood all day and you will naturally have more energy throughout the day.
So, considering that hot chocolate contains only a small amount of caffeine, that alone can make it a healthier option for your morning pick-me-up. But the lower dose of caffeine is just one of the health benefits of hot chocolate.
How to make hot chocolate with an espresso machine
There’s nothing like a cup of homemade hot cocoa made with real cocoa powder, sugar, and milk. It’s creamy, chocolatey, and everything hot cocoa should be.
Here are the things you’ll need:
- Cocoa powder
- Chocolate chips
- Milk
- Milk jug
- Espresso machine
- Topping of your choice
Step 1: Pour 5 oz. of milk in the milk jug and add 1 oz. of cocoa powder and mix well.
Step 2: Steam the mixture using the steaming wand of your espresso machine until it’s hot.
Step 3: Add chocolate chips and whisk until they melt into the milk.
Step 4: Serve immediately, topped with your favorite garnishes: marshmallows, whipped cream, chopped chocolate or more.
You can also make Hot chocolate without cocoa powder by steaming only the milk and adding more chocolate chips in Step 3.
If you are lactose intolerant and want a dairy-free vegan Hot Chocolate then all you have to do is use soy milk or almond milk or another non-dairy milk in Step 1. Voila! There’s your Hot chocolate without milk.
If you are OK with sacrificing the creamy feel and flavor of the Hot Chocolate, believe it or not, you can also use just water instead of milk and mix cocoa powder in Step 1.
You may also add a shot or two of espresso in your Hot Chocolate and make yourself a Caffè mocha!
Making hot chocolate in an espresso machine can damage it
As we discussed earlier, it is possible to make hot chocolate in an espresso machine the same way that you make an espresso.
However, since cocoa beans have a higher fat content, grinding them in your espresso machine could result in the burrs becoming clogged.
We recommend using a blade grinder instead, and grinding much more coarse than you would normally for espresso, and make sure that the cacao used is harvested, processed, and roasted well.
What else can you make with an espresso machine
Once you have perfected the art of espresso making, we recommend mixing things up a bit with one of these delicious espresso based recipes. Here’s a list of the most popular types of espresso drinks!
a. Latte
A latte is a coffee drink with espresso, steamed milk and a layer of foam on top. It has 1/3 espresso and 2/3 steamed milk, with a thin layer of foam on top.
b. Americano
An Americano is an espresso drink made with hot water and espresso. The drink can be made with either one or two shots of espresso, and varying ratios of water (usually 2:1).
c. Macchiato
A caffè macchiato or espresso macchiato is a shot of espresso that’s topped with frothed milk.
d. Cappuccino
A cappuccino is an espresso drink with steamed milk, milk foam and espresso. It has equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foam (1/3 each).
e. Mocha
A mocha or mocha latte is a drink made with espresso and steamed milk that’s flavored with chocolate syrup.
f. Dirty Chai Latte
A chai latte takes traditional masala chai, and combines it with frothy steamed milk of a cafe latte along with a shot of espresso.
g. Espresso Martini
An espresso martini is vodka, coffee liqueur and freshly brewed espresso mixed together. Using hot espresso helps to create a creamy head on the cocktail.
How to make hot chocolate without an espresso machine
Homemade hot chocolate is extremely easy to prepare with a few pantry staples such as cocoa powder, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and milk.
Step 1: Place the milk of your choice in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
Step 2: Whisk in cocoa powder and heat until warm.
Step 3: Once the milk is warm, add chocolate chips, whisking until they melt into the milk.
Step 4: Add vanilla extract and pour it into a mug
Step 5: Add your favorite garnishes: chopped chocolate, whipped cream or chocolate syrup.
Can you make hot chocolate in a coffee maker?
Yes, you can basically use any coffee maker to make hot chocolate. All you have to do is fill the coffee maker with water, put hot chocolate mix powder in the coffee carafe and run the coffee maker for a few minutes. Stir the hot chocolate liquid, and make sure all the powder is dissolved. Pour into cups, add toppings and serve.
Make sure that you never boil milk in a coffee maker. Boiling milk in a coffee maker will damage the machine. Milk has proteins in it. So, when it is boiled in a coffee maker, it’ll turn crusty. Also, if the pot is not duly washed with care, it’ll catch stain.
Use a Hot Chocolate Maker instead
If you don’t want to buy an espresso machine or you already have one but want a dedicated machine only to make hot chocolate, then we recommend that you should buy a milk frother or hot chocolate maker.
Hot chocolate makers can be an invaluable addition to anyone’s kitchen. They don’t just whip up hot chocolate.
These handy appliances can steam your favorite milk, add frothy deliciousness to your espresso, or just make the task of making hot chocolate easier.
Related:
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cocoa beans do you need to make hot chocolate in an espresso machine?
It is recommended that you use roasted, coarsely ground cocoa powder in an espresso machine if you are going to try to make hot chocolate the same way as an espresso.
It would be best if you could grind the roasted cacao beans yourself at home for the perfect flavor extraction.
Do you need a separate grinder to grind cacao beans?
We recommend not using your home food processor or espresso machine to grind roasted cacao beans.
Cacao beans have a high fat content which tends to clog the burrs of espresso machines. Moreover, cacao beans may flavor your espresso and vice versa.
You can avoid this by getting a blade grinder to get the beans crushed to your preference.
Can you make dairy-free hot chocolate using almond milk?
Yes you can make hot chocolate using almond milk or any other non-dairy alternative such as soy milk.
Can you make hot chocolate using water?
Yes you can make hot chocolate with water, just replace milk with water.
Can you make hot chocolate with Nesquik?
Yes you can make hot chocolate with Nesquick, just remember to add less sweetener. You can substitute 2 tablespoons of Nesquik for every 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
Can you make hot chocolate with half and half?
Yes you can make hot chocolate with half and half, in the same way as you would while making it with whole milk.
Can you make hot chocolate with oat milk?
Yes you can, follow the recipe for hot chocolate, just replace whole milk with oat milk.
Can you make hot chocolate with Nutella?
Yes you can, follow the recipe for hot chocolate, just replace cocoa powder with 2 tablespoon of Nutella.
Can you make hot chocolate in a Keurig?
Yes you can make hot chocolate in a Keurig. Just get a hot chocolate pod and insert it into the Keurig and lower the bail, press the “Hot Cocoa/other” button on the screen and wait for your hot chocolate to brew.
Can you make hot chocolate in the microwave?
Yes you can, stir together sugar, cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons of milk in a microwaveable mug until there are no chunks of cocoa powder. Add in 1 cup milk and microwave on high for 60 seconds or until hot.
Can you make hot chocolate in an instant pot?
Yes you can. Turn your Instant Pot to the SAUTE setting, and add your dry ingredients. Mix them up a little, then pour in the water. Keep stirring as the mixture heats up. When the mixture starts to bubble, pour in the milk. Keep stirring, and pour in the cream.
You may have some small chocolate lumps, but these will melt and go away as the mixture heats up. Right before the mixture comes to a boil, hit Cancel. You don’t want to boil the chocolate. Press the Keep Warm button or serve immediately.
Amit Gupta
Hi, my name is Amit Gupta, and I am the owner and contributor at Cafeish. My obsession with coffee started when I received my first French press as a gift almost ten years ago. Since then, my love of coffee – and the number of coffee gadgets I own – has grown considerably.
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