Tsokolate is a Filipino version of hot chocolate typically served during breakfast with bread.
Chocolate for breakfast is not uncommon in the Philippines. The only question is: would you like your chocolate with rice, or do you prefer to drink your chocolate?
If you picked rice- hop on over to this champorado recipe (Filipino chocolate rice porridge). If you answered chocolate in liquid form, let me offer you a cup of tsokolate (Filipino hot chocolate).
Tsokolate Filipino Hot Chocolate
Tsokolate, pronouced Cho-Ko-Lat-Eh, is a simple beverage made by dissolving cacao tablets in hot water. \It is lightly sweetened with sugar and sometimes served with a splash of milk (or cream).
The hot chocolate mixture is traditionally mixed together using a batidor. It is a whisk-like baton that helps to froth the liquid. Since I don’t have a batidor, I use an immersion blender to achieve that same consistency.
In the morning, tsokolate is often served with breads (usually pan de sal).
As a kid, I’d often dip and soak my buttered pan de sal into the hot mug of tsokolate. I’m getting hungry just thinking about the thick liquid chocolate coating the salted buttered piece of bread.
Tsokolate is very popular during the holiday season. You are bound to find a pot of freshly brewed tsokolate after Christmas Eve mass (simbang gabi) and it will definitely be available during Christmas morning.
The Philippines is BIG on celebrating Christmas. The “holiday season” usually starts in September and lasts until Three Kings Day (Feast of the Epiphany) in January.
What are cacao tablets (tablea cacao)?
Cacao chocolate tablets are made from pure cacao beans that have been fermented, roasted, ground, and molded into round disks.
Pure tablets are unsweetened. These can be a bit difficult to find.
The most common cacao tablets sold at Filipino supermarkets are the sweetened version.
While there are various brands to choose from, I am partial to Antonio Pueo. That’s the brand I’ve been using since childhood.
I use the sweetened version which is simply made with cacao and sugar. That’s it!
This Antonio Pueo version is sold in either a tan or gold wrapper. It is sold as a log of eight tablets. This one is my favorite!
However, if you like your hot chocolate with milk, Anontio Pueo also sells a variety that contains cacao, sugar, and powdered skim milk. This one is sold in a white wrapper.
Cacao tablets are available at Filipino supermarkets (like Seafood City and Island Pacific).
Look in the baking aisle, alongside the sugar. Many Asian and Latin markets also carry cacao tablet variations.
What is that white stuff on the chocolate? Is that mold on the cacao tablets?
Do not be alarmed if the cacao tablets have powered white spots, like the one photographed above. THIS IS NOT MOLD.
That white coating on the chocolate is “bloom.”
Chocolate may bloom due to changes in storage temperature or humidity. This will not affect the taste of the hot chocolate.
More Filipino Breakfast Recipes
Tsokolate Filipino Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 cacao tablets, sweetened version*
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil. Add cacao tablets and stir to combine. Reduce to a simmer and continue to stir until tablets have dissolved. Remove from heat and use an immersion blender to froth mixture. Pour into serving mug and enjoy warm. If desired, add a splash of milk, evaporated milk, or cream.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this recipe? Rate & comment below!
Can I add marshmallows to the mixture?
Can I use regular blender?
Drinking hot chocolate made with tablea as I read this to see where I went wrong hahaha. Thank you for this. Also, I love that you used “Jane Doe” as a sample name.
Fortunately, 100% pure cacao is much easier to find these days. Most of them are gritty unless they lean on the expensive side (eating chocolate prices!).
Can we store cacao chocolate tablets in the ref ? It is in tight container.
You can store it in the refrigerator. However, I suggest storing it in a cool dry place like the cupboard or pantry.
Hi Maryanne. thank you sharing your this unique healthy drink. I thought before that hot chocolate has no caffeine, but my belief was wrong; it also contains caffeine because it comes from cacao; however, in a small amount. So if you are worried about the caffeine, you can still enjoy this drink without worrying too much about how the caffeine will affect you.
If you are trying to control your caffeine intake, you might as well consider drinking hot chocolate. When I started to live and study in the city temporarily. I felt sad that I could not drink hot chocolate every morning. I know that hot chocolate is available in the town, but nothing can substitute the hot chocolate in our place.
I remember my cousin who visited our house; he said this chocolate is like a coffee; it tastes bitter, but it feels you satisfied after drinking. He said he tasted different kinds of hot chocolates in the city, but that was the first time he drink tablea. Even my grandmother used to drink hot chocolate tablea if she wanted to lift her mood.
Hi! I’m just starting to put up my own youth café in the Philippines. I was so keen to know all the contentes and recipes in your blog. It will really help me to refine my goals for my café. I’m blessed to have found your blog. God bless you and I love your writing style as well. :)
Hi Im so excoted to check your blog. But dor now when you introduced I feel Im gonna like your blog. We have the same attitude when it comws ro cook and love ro feed people ?. More powers and Godspeed.
This another lovely recipe, this tsokolate is right up my alley, I could have a cup of this for breakfast everyday :)
Thank you! I agree, I could drink this every morning!
Yummy! I love hot chocolate and I am definitely going to try your intriguing recipe, MaryAnne! A perfect treat which has the potential of becoming my favorite dessert!