European hot chocolate

70% cacao at Fassbender & Rausch in Berlin

Hot chocolate in Europe  is unlike anything in the United States.   It is creamy, velvety, and thick.   Chocolate in liquid form.  The thought of asking for “skim milk, no whipped cream” didn’t even cross my mind, as it would have desecrated the tasty drink.  Not to mention the request was beyond my language capabilities (except in France where I’m pretty sure they would have refused anyway).

I got into a routine where I would have a hot chocolate almost every afternoon during my trip.  And a coffee every morning of course.  I love the café culture in Europe where you can sit down and order only a coffee or hot chocolate and stay all afternoon.  “To go” orders are practically non-existent.  Taking a break from the cold and enjoying a liquid dessert was one of the highlights of my trip.

Wondering where to find these life-changing hot chocolates?  In Paris, I’d recommend Angelina or Café de Flore.  In Budapest we went to Aztek Choxolat Café, which had several different kinds of hot chocolates, including sour cherry and ginger.  I absolutely loved Café Savoy in Prague–definitely try the “double” chocolate (pictured below).  The above picture is of my hot chocolate at Fassbender & Rausch in Berlin.

“Double” deliciousness at Café Savoy in Prague

A Michigan Tradition

Last week I visited a Michigan fall landmark: the cider mill.   Molly, a native Michigander, showed me around her favorite cider mill in Northville.  At first, I was confused by all the hype.  I mean, how much fun could it be to sit around drinking cider and eating donuts?  After I visited I understood why a trip to the cider mill should be a mandatory fall event.  There’s something relaxing about sitting at a picnic table amidst pumpkins and haystacks, drinking hot apple cider.  Here is sampling of what we tried…

Hot apple cider: A staple.  Not too sweet.  Delicious.

Cider slush:  Apple cider blended with ice.  If you’re not in the mood for hot apple cider, try this as an alternative.

Caramel apple:  This was SO good!  They cut up the apple for you and add another layer of caramel and nuts.  By cutting the apple, they eliminate the most common complaint about this delicious dessert–the mess.  I love caramel apples but sometimes they are nearly impossible to eat.  I don’t know about you, but I don’t like having to fight with my food before I eat it.  This alone is worth the 20 minute drive from Ann Arbor.

Spice donut:  Outstanding.  According to the cider mill’s website, the spice donut is “vanilla cake mix blended with cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg, cooled and rolled in cinnamon and sugar.”  This is definitely NOT your average Krispy Kreme donut (more on my aversion to Krispy Kreme later).  The donut is more like a moist cake without frosting.  And because of the spices it doesn’t even need frosting.  I bought 6 and brought them home to my roommates.  They didn’t last long.