We
are so happy to introduce people to the pure experience of dairy free
hot chocolate the way it was originally enjoyed...only better! Today
with modern refinements in chocolate production, we can create a dairy
free hot chocolate that can instantly mix up in water with a real body
and smoothness and no grittiness that was unheard of in times past. Thus
we have taken the original dairy free hot chocolate to a whole new
dimension. And just add 2-3 of our chocolate pastilles in a cup of
coffee for the finest Cafe Mocha of your life!
Hot Chocolate has been around for 2000 years. The original dairy free hot chocolate drink was created by the Mayans as a pure dairy free beverage with no milk added. Over time, as the drink evolved, more and more ingredients were added to the hot chocolate, the biggest change being making the drink with cocoa powder as opposed to real dark chocolate and also the addition of milk. Thus the original dairy free rich hot chocolate drink slowly became a thin watered down version of the original dairy free hot chocolate beverage and therefore more directed towards children. Using cocoa powder enabled the drink to be manufactured much less expensively, but the only way to thicken it up was to then add milk. Some cultures even thicken it up with grains along with cream and milk.
Here at Cocoa Canard we have created what we call "The Expresso of Hot Chocolate." It's the first diary free pure non-bitter dark hot chocolate to instantly melt in a cup of hot water with such a richness that you will never miss the milk. It's a silky refined version of the pure melted dairy free hot chocolate drinks originally served in old world chocolate houses. For people who are lactose intolerant, its miracle. But it is perfect for people who just want a small delightful demitasse of warm dairy free hot chocolate in the afternoon or with a meal and not a whole mug of warm milk. Thus this is a year round product and not just for cold winter days.
What people discover with our dairy free hot chocolate is that when high quality real dark chocolate is warmed and isn't overwhelmed by the presence of other ingredients such as milk, its rich, earthy, sensual qualities magically come to the forefront. Warm real dairy free hot chocolate on the pallet is something few people have ever experienced and once they do, there is nothing like it. The aroma and the flavors are not toned down by the milk and you are left with the finest pure dairy free hot chocolate drinking experience you could ever imagine.
We are so happy to introduce people to the pure experience of dairy free hot chocolate the way it was originally enjoyed...only better! Today with modern refinements in chocolate production, we can create a dairy free hot chocolate that can instantly mix up in water with a real body and smoothness and no grittiness that was unheard of in times past. Thus we have taken the original dairy free hot chocolate to a whole new dimension. And just add 2-3 of our chocolate pastilles in a cup of coffee for the finest Cafe Mocha of your life!
Gluten Free Vegan Hot Chocolate
Gluten today affects an estimated 18 million Americans with untold more people also having a reaction to dairy, soy, nuts, and corn. If you want a true gluten free vegan hot chocolate/hot cocoa you really have to do a bit of research. The increase in people with gluten sensitivity is growing daily and people wonder why it is so widespread today. Most research points to the fact that the hybrid grains we grow today can contain as much as ten times as much gluten as in the past. Thus we are taking much more gluten into our bodies than ever before in recorded history.
You might wonder why finding a gluten free vegan hot chocolate/hot cocoa is even an issue since chocolate by itself, does not naturally contain gluten. Much of this is has to do with three things. First, some companies do add ingredients containing gluten to their hot chocolate/hot cocoa such as grains, stabilizers, and flavor enhancers. Second, there can be cross-contamination where they are producing or storing their chocolate if it is in an environment that also has gluten particles from other products being manufactured. And finally, most companies do not test at all so there is no way of really knowing for sure.
There are hot chocolate/hot cocoa mixes that are termed "gluten free" hot chocolate/hot cocoas and are considered acceptable for the legal limit and labeled gluten free by their manufacturers. But, that doesn’t mean they are completely free of gluten because many people react to gluten below the levels considered legally gluten-free. Thus many companies saying their hot chocolate/hot cocoa is gluten free are saying that they have tested their product to 20 parts per million (ppm), or GF-20 levels, but again people can still have a reaction depending on their sensitivity. And just because they may claim a gluten free hot chocolate/hot cocoa does not mean their other chocolate products they manufacture are gluten free so you really want to be careful here.
Finally, many people talk about the rich thick Italian hot chocolate/hot cocoas. What they most always fail to realize is that many of those drinks are a more recent variation on the original pure hot chocolate/hot cocoa drinks and contain corn starch to thicken them up. Note, that many people with gluten allergies are also sensitive to corn and often want to avoid all grains in their drinks. Also, where and how the corn is stored brings up the possibility once again of cross-contamination with other grains which contain gluten.
So how do you find gluten free vegan hot chocolate that can hold up in just hot water such that you will never miss the milk? This is where Cocoa Canard's Spooning hot Chocolate comes in. It is a remarkable gluten free and even dairy free hot chocolate made from real dark chocolate as opposed to cocoa powder.. What is amazing about our gluten free vegan Spooning hot Chocolate is that it mixes up instantly in a cup of hot water with no milk!! We call it the Espresso of hot chocolate because you can have a little bit in the middle of the day or with a meal and you don't have to have a big mug of warm milk or a product thickened with any kind of grain that could contain gluten. That's why it's a wonderful year round drink.
When high quality chocolate isn't overwhelmed by the presence of other ingredients, be it milk, grains, stabilizers, flavor enhancers, etc., it's rich, earthy, sensual qualities magically come to the forefront. If you haven't had dairy free and gluten free hot chocolate like this, you haven't really experienced the true taste of chocolate! This is what real hot chocolate should taste like.
We are very excited to be able to introduce people to the pure experience of a real gluten free and dairy free vegan hot chocolate the way it was originally enjoyed...only today it is even better! With modern refinements in chocolate production, we are now able to create a dairy free and gluten free vegan hot chocolate that instantly mixes up in water with a real body and smoothness and no grittiness that was unheard of years ago. Thus we have taken the original gluten free and dairy vegan hot chocolate that was invented 2000 years ago to a whole new level.
The Difference Between Hot Chocolate, Drinking Chocolate, & Sipping Chocolate vs. Hot Cocoa Free Vegan Hot Chocolate
What most people call hot chocolate is actually hot cocoa which is made from cocoa powder. However, true hot chocolate is made from melted dark chocolate where the cocoa butter is left intact. The result is a much richer drink and with the right formula like our Spooning Chocolate, can actually mix in water without the need for any dairy. Hot chocolate can be made thicker or thinner depending on how much liquid you mix it in. But if you make it the traditional way as a thick drink, it is known as sipping or drinking chocolate or what we here at Cocoa Canard call Spooning Chocolate.
Today numerous companies create thick sipping or drinking chocolate by mixing dark chocolate with either one or a combination of the following ingredients: milk, cream, corn starch, potato starch and other stabilizers and flavor enhancers. Although still called sipping or drinking chocolate by these manufacturers due to how it is a thicker drink, it is a far cry from the pure unadulterated pure melted dark hot chocolate that originally did not have any of these other ingredients included.
However when made correctly, real hot chocolate in it's purest form as true sipping or drinking chocolate has a natural thickness and mouth feel without all those additional ingredients. At Cocoa Canard, we have gone back to the traditional hot chocolate in it's most basic form with an extraordinary formulation that needs no milk, grain starches, or stabilizers to thicken it up yet still has such a richness and depth of flavor that you will never miss or need the milk.
We call it the Espresso of hot chocolate because sometimes you want just a little bit of pure warm melted dairy free chocolate in the middle of the day or with a meal, and not a big cup of warmed milk with it. That's why our Spooning Chocolate is a year round drink. Now people can enjoy real hot chocolate or sipping and drinking chocolate the way it was meant to be experienced as opposed to just a thinner and weaker hot cocoa. What you will discover is that when high quality chocolate isn't overwhelmed by the presence of other ingredients, it's rich, earthy, sensual qualities magically come to the forefront on your pallet. If you haven't experienced real hot chocolate or sipping and drinking chocolate like this, you haven't had chocolate! This is what true sipping or drinking chocolate should taste like.
We are so happy to introduce people to the pure experience of dairy free hot chocolate the way it was originally enjoyed...only better! Over time, with the many manufacturing refinements in chocolate production, it has allowed us to now create a dairy free hot chocolate or true sipping and drinking chocolate that can amazingly instantly mix up in water with a real body and smoothness and no grittiness that was unheard of years ago. Thus we have taken the original dairy free hot chocolate or drinking chocolate or sipping chocolate to a whole new level of appreciation.
Testimonials
All you need is love....
But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."
....Charles Schultz
You can listen to a wonderful three minute live radio on-air interview of our Spooning Chocolate by clicking the link below...Enjoy!
KPHX 1480AM Radio Review (click here to play)
This product is magical! It melts easily in the cup like a dream. I've been a restaurant owner and caterer for many years and am a lover of gourmet chocolate. I buy a high end Aztec 100% chocolate drink which is supposed to be mixed in water, but now that I've had Spooning Chocolate, I realize that the Aztec drink is much harder to blend together and still ends up having a more watery consistency while being a bit gritty. The Cocoa Canard product has a richer depth of flavor and is very creamy. In fact it rivals a European sipping chocolate that I get at a cafe in Madison which is made with dark chocolate and heavy cream. I love having this rich creamy drink with the spoon and mug I got in the Spooning Chocolate gift set. Truly Spooning is more fun than sipping!
Ann H.
Madison, Wisconsin
I was born in Brooklyn and my parent's business was a tea shop and bakery. I have been a life long chocoholic, which has probably helped me live a full 95 years!! However, I tend to favor milk chocolate and classic hot cocoa. So I was pleasantly surprised that I really enjoyed this dark chocolate product without milk. At first when I tasted it I thought it wasn't sweet enough, but by the time I finished the cup, I realized it was. I also did not miss the milk since the product is so surprisingly creamy and has such a rich chocolate flavor. I guess I can now join the ranks of all those who love dark chocolate. I would be happy to have this every night as it is my custom to have something chocolate after my dinner. This is as good as any hot chocolate I have ever had.
Adel Fishgold
San Anselmo, California
Being a chocolate lover yet intolerant to gluten and dairy, I decided to try Spooning Chocolate. As I find most gluten/dairy free products to not be so good, I didn’t have my hopes up. I was quite surprised when I sipped my first spoonful. The texture was silky and creamy, and there was an array of subtle flavors within the chocolate that were really interesting and delicious. Spooning Chocolate reminded me of good French wine in this respect, having many taste-dimensions to discover and enjoy. Honestly this is best hot chocolate, with or without milk, that I've experienced.
John B.
Tiburon, California
Cocoa Canard Spooning Chocolate makes a perfect cup of hot chocolate, velvety smooth and tasty. I love that it's thicker and richer than regular hot chocolate. In fact, I like the chocolate itself so much I decided to get creative and use it for other things. I start my day with coffee and add three chocolate disks for a perfect dairy free Cafe Mocha. It also works in pudding, chocolate ice cream, mole, and any recipe where you need chocolate to dissolve readily and instantly. I can't wait until I have my next cup of Spooning Chocolate, but I keep snacking on the disks right out of the can so I better get more soon.
Chris Johnson
Escondido, California
Dear Craig,
The only problem I had with the ritual chocolate experience was that I never wanted it to end! Truly decadent :). Thank you for offering the give-away so I could be introduced to this wonderful product. I'll be ordering again very soon.
Stacey J Fisher, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
East Tennessee State University
I am a huge fan of hot chocolate and Cocoa Canard brings a whole new meaning to hot chocolate. Usually we have the instant in the house which does not in any way compare to this! From now on I am going to be spoiled and want nothing but Cocoa Canard. It's smooth and delicious and you will keep wanting more. This is a perfect treat for the winter time and the cold nights that we are going to have ahead. This would also make a great gift!
Julie Wright
Grand Rapids, MI.
Spooning Chocolate is super delicious and I have to strongly recommend sharing this aphrodisiac drink with your lover!
Lynne S.
Santa Venetia, Ca.
I was given a gift of Spooning Chocolate and I love it! The flavor is just delicious, so rich and flavorful with a lingering nutty taste. My daughter likes counting the chocolate disks and dropping them into the mug and then mixing them up with the mini-molinillo. I have given it to my kids with and without milk and they cannot tell the difference. Another benefit is that instead of a huge mug of hot chocolate, this is smaller and stronger. It's like having a square of chocolate, but in a glass which is why it's a perfect year round drink and not just for winter days. In fact, it makes a nice afternoon pick-me up if you're not into coffee so late in the day.
Rebecca Van Loon
Westlake Village, California
Oh my gosh!!!....it's so good. It's so chocolaty!
Maria Van Loon
age 7
Westlake Village, California
Mommy, why does it taste so yummy?
Tomas Van Loon
Age 4
Westlake Village, California
Thanks, Pal.....my wife just told me she will never be satisfied with regular hot chocolate again...Ha!...She even berated me for eating the little chocolate pearls from the container!....... said I couldn’t do that. Can you imagine that?!
Steve Lanning
Big Pool, MD.
Dear Craig,
I have always enjoyed a really good cup of fine hot chocolate. I wanted you to know that Paul and I really loved "the Spooning Chocolate". The taste was just excellent, the concept superb, and the creation both involving and relaxing.....a perfect winter's drink and a great addition to coffee, cappuccino and espresso. Thank you so much for this wonderful product.
Ursula Davidson
San Rafael, CA.
I received a beautiful Spooning Chocolate gift set. At first, I was hesitant to sample this hot chocolate as the set itself was one that you just wanted to admire. But, being a chocoholic, I had to make a cup. After counting out 27 dairy and gluten free pure non-bitter dark chocolate pastilles from the can, I put them in this Cocoa Canard Spooning Mug and poured 8 oz of warmed milk on top. I let the chocolate disks dissolve for a moment, before using the mini-molinillo to combine the milk and chocolate. Then, I was ready to enjoy. If you like your hot chocolate made with water or can't drink milk, then you would use 1/4 cup of water in place of the 8 ounces of milk.
As I lifted the cup to my mouth, I couldn't help but smell the rich dark chocolate. And, when I tasted this Spooning Chocolate, I was blown away at how flavorful this hot chocolate was. Out of all the hot chocolates that I have tried over the years, this is by far my favorite!! I couldn't wait for my husband to get home that night, so that he could try it...and, so that I had an excuse to make another cup for myself. :-)
I already have my birthday and Christmas wish lists started and Cocoa Canard's new Spooning Chocolate is #1 on my lists. I will definitely be stocking up and having a few cans on hand when I need a hot chocolate fix. :-)
Robin McCoy
Putnam, CT.
I received Spooning Chocolate a few weeks ago to review for our Mom Blog Society Holiday Gift Guide. It’s was so delicious and just great for any Hot Cocoa lover! I love the taste of this Gourmet Hot Chocolate. You just melt the chocolate, and it’s ready to go. With their adorable gift set you get everything you need, the Spooning Chocolate, cup, spoon (that fits firmly in the cup), stirrer. and gift card (in case you are gifting it). The cup and spoon are really nice, and the Spooning Chocolate is absolutely delightful in the cup. You can also add an additional cup to your order so that you and your significant other can both spoon chocolate together!
Stephanie Mitchell
Grindstone, PA.
I thought it would be fun to feature some luxurious dairy-free foods that offer warmth and double as great gifts. Cocoa Canard Spooning Chocolate fits that bill! The 64% dark, dairy-free cacao pastilles create a rich, perfectly sweet mug of true, melted hot chocolate. Each generously sized canister contains dark chocolate wafers and a special mini-molinillo (to properly whisk the chocolate) for a nice authentic touch.
Once melted and whipped into hot water, Cocoa Canard Spooning Chocolate has a rich, smooth, semi-sweet flavor that would be appealing to most chocoholic taste buds. This a special luxury.... definitely a wonderful sipping experience to snuggle up with. Five Stars!
Alisa Fleming
Best Selling author and creator of Go Dairy Free website
Craig, you were not kidding.....the hot chocolate is amazing! I don't think it's going to last the weekend. I need to put in another order but we need a lot more. I would like to know how many units is in a case and how long can they be kept. It is going to go to Kuwait. So does it travel well? I might also need to order more and would like to know if you can send it to Kuwait for future orders.
Thank you
Thunayan Al-Fouzan
Kuwait
"This is by far the BEST drinking chocolate I've ever had! It assimilates easily into your cup, and is very soothing and soooo delicious! I recommend this chocolate to anyone looking for a nostalgic journey back to their childhood of glorious cups of hot chocolate on chilly winter evenings!"
Tammy
Indiana