Northern Ireland innovators offer delicious way to keep warm during winter chills
A steaming mug of delicious hot chocolate is hard to beat on the chilly nights we’ve been experiencing over the past few months.
Bringing heat and health to shoppers here are several local producers which have achieved UK Great Taste Awards for premium quality and rich, warming flavours.
Hot chocolate or sometimes known as cocoa, is a warm, sweet beverage made from chocolate or cocoa powder, hot milk or water, and sweetener, often garnished with whipped cream or marshmallows, offering a rich, comforting treat with potential heart and brain benefits from cocoa's flavonoids, available in various forms from instant powders to luxury chocolate flakes.
Among the award-winners here are Rostrevor’s NearyNógs Stoneground Chocolate Makers, Hotties in Comber, the only company specialising in drinking chocolate, and Daisies in Belfast.
NearyNógs, owned by husband and wife team Shane and Dorothy Neary, is the only one here stone-grinding chocolate powder from cocoa beans sourced directly from ethical growers in nations such as the Dominican Republic.
Shane continues: “Our drinking chocolate is made from cocoa beans for a rich, deep flavour. It was one of our earliest products and it continues as a best seller. The beans are sourced from single-origin, ethical and sustainable small farms in regions such as Ecuador and the Dominican Republic.”
Reuben McFettridge of Hotties make a variety of hot chocolate flavours in his Comber hometown. The only specialist produce here, Reuben uses chunks of real chocolate to create powders. “Hotties was born in 2020 and is now served in some of the best coffee shops across the UK and Ireland,” he says.
Drinking chocolate is usually made by three techniques: These are: Powder with hot milk/water; flakes or shavings from real chocolate with hot water or chocolate; and instant from pre-mixed powders or pods for a quick drink.
Health benefits are said to flow from flavonoids in cacao that may improve blood vessel function and lower blood pressure, according to a Harvard Medical School study. Flavonoids may also enhance cognitive function.
Furthermore, hot chocolate is a soothing drink for relaxation in winter and other times of the year.