As the last of the leaves hang on to the trees and the cold snap whips in, there's no more inviting way to warm up than wrapping your hands around a hot chocolate. Melbourne’s hot chocolate scene is a silky melting pot of flavours and it’s artisan approach makes for a delicious warming cup of goodness. Our fresh, organic, non-homogenised milk is beautifully suited to artisan hot chocolate. To sample the best cups, you just need to know where to go and what to look out for. So, we’ve rounded up the top hot chocolates that the city has to offer and to make at home.
Grounded Pleasures
Grounded Pleasures’ delicious range spans different varieties of cocoa to mint, chilli, orange, cinnamon and more. Craig and Sophie run their family owned business in Ballaarat*. This dynamic duo are passionate about the diverse flavour profiles of cocoa and believe that good cocoa has the complexity of good wine and coffee. They achieve a silky cup of hot choccy through processing their beans with minimal intervention. We love to add a teaspoon of their aromatic cinnamon chocolate to a plunger of coffee when we are sharing a lazy winter afternoon on the farm.
*Grounded Pleasures choose to recognise the historical spelling of Ballaarat
Mork
Mörk uses the same approach taken by specialty coffee-makers and roasters: respect for the traceability, quality and unique origin of ingredients from bean to cup. So they know where, when and most importantly, how their beans are sourced. Their brewhouse in North Melbourne supplies blended chocolate powder to many of Melbourne’s cafes, and you can also buy to enjoy at home. Be sure to keep your eye out for Mörk and Schulz Organic Dairy milk combos next time you’re in your local cafe ordering! Their hot choccy tip is to use 25g of fresh chocolate and 180ml of milk, whisk and steam to until you get a silky texture.
Nib and Noble
Looking for something a little more ‘guilt free’? Well sugar free hot chocolates are a thing. Nib and Noble’s hot choccy alternative offers a sugar free blend, which is a perfect sweet treat for the health conscious. Instead, their sugar free organic drinking chocolate is sweetened with xylitol. We love Nib and Noble’s commitment towards producing an organic product while using fair trade ingredients.
Pana Organic
Want a 100% organic hot chocolate. Well, Pana x Schulz Organic Dairy is the combo you need in your fridge and pantry. Pana Barbounis founded Pana Organic in Melbourne eight years ago. Pana sourced, made, packed and scooted (yes, scooted) around delivering each chocolate bar. Since 2013 he has grown his team, organic chocolate products and logistics to deliver around Australia. We love their Coco Crunch, (which tastes like Jaffa chocolates) with our organic full cream milk (in glass). This nostalgic combo really winds back the clock. Hot tip: to complete the trip add a slice of candied orange to your cup to completely reveal the full flavour of Jaffa chocolates.
Our own house recipe:
Schulz Organic Creamery & Cafe Signature Hot Chocolate, by Hila Perry.
Our pastry chef Hila Perry has shared her hot chocolate recipe from the Schulz Organic Creamery & Cafe for you to enjoy at home. What a legend! It all starts with a ganache base made from Belgian Callebaut chocolate, mixed together with Schulz Organic Cream. Click here to get the recipe!
