Kamil Perry
Colombian hot chocolate is traditionally made with a firm white cheese like queso campesino, queso colombiano, queso de freir, halloumi, Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella. The cheese is cubed or crumbled and placed in the hot chocolate, where it softens without melting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Traditional cheese | Queso Colombiano |
| Alternative cheese | Halloumi, queso de freir, Oaxaca cheese, firm mozzarella, queso campesino, queso doble crema |
| How to serve | Crumble the cheese, place it on a metal spoon, submerge it in the hot chocolate and slurp the melted cheese and chocolate from the spoon |
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What You'll Learn
The best cheeses to use
Colombian hot chocolate is traditionally served with queso campesino, a local cheese that softens without melting. However, if you can't get your hands on this, there are several other cheeses that are recommended.
Mozzarella is a popular choice, especially when served in cubes or crumbled on a spoon and submerged in the hot chocolate. Halloumi is another option, as is Oaxaca cheese, which is often used in Mexico. If you want to stick to a more traditional Colombian cheese, you could try queso doble crema or queso de freir.
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How to prepare the drink
Colombian hot chocolate is traditionally made with a Queso Colombiano, but if you can't find this, you can use a firm white cheese like halloumi, queso de freir, Oaxaca cheese, mozzarella or queso doble crema.
To make the drink, place chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, sugar and water inside a molinillo or saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir constantly with a molinillo or whisk until the water simmers and the chocolate is completely melted. The hot chocolate should be frothy from the constant whisking. Turn off the heat and cut the cheese into small cubes. Place about 2.5 oz of cheese into each cup.
In Colombia, people usually use queso campesino, a local cheese that softens without melting. Cubes of cheese are dropped straight into the chocolate. In Bogota, some cafes serve the hot chocolate with a metal spoon, on which you crumble some cheese, submerge it in the hot chocolate, and then slurp the melted cheese and chocolate from the spoon.
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The history of the drink
Colombian hot chocolate with cheese is a drink with a much stronger and more complex flavour than American hot chocolate. It is not as sweet as its American counterpart. The cheese is usually crumbled and placed on a metal spoon, which is then submerged in the hot chocolate. The melted cheese and chocolate are then slurped from the spoon.
Traditionally, the drink is made with Queso Colombiano, a firm white cheese. However, if this is not available, you can use halloumi, queso de freir, Oaxaca cheese, firm mozzarella, queso campesino, queso doble crema, or Australian dairy.
The chocolate is flavoured with cinnamon and cloves, and is sometimes served with bread for dipping. There is a saying in Colombia: "chocolate sin queso es como amor sin beso", which means "chocolate without cheese is like love without a kiss".
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The best chocolate to use
Colombian hot chocolate is traditionally made with a very dark chocolate, flavoured with cinnamon and cloves. It is served with cubes of cheese, which are either stirred into the hot chocolate or placed on a spoon and submerged in the drink.
The traditional cheese to use is Queso Colombiano, but if this is unavailable, a semi-firm or firm white cheese such as mozzarella, halloumi, queso de freir or Oaxaca cheese can be used. In Bogota, the most usual cheese used is queso doble crema.
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Where to find the drink in Colombia
Colombian hot chocolate with cheese is a traditional drink in Colombia. The cheese used is traditionally queso campesino, queso colombiano, queso doble crema, or queso de freir. If these are not available, mozzarella, halloumi, or Oaxaca cheese can be used.
In Colombia, you can find Colombian hot chocolate in any Colombia store. You can also find it in international grocery stores, where you can buy Sol and Luker chocolate from Colombia, both sweetened (con azucar) and unsweetened (sin azucar). The Criollo cacao variety is also available in tablet form from the Colombian Coffee Company.
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Frequently asked questions
Queso campesino is the most common cheese used in Colombia, but Oaxaca cheese, mozzarella, halloumi, queso de freir, and queso doble crema are also used.
The traditional way to serve Colombian hot chocolate with cheese is to crumble the cheese into small cubes, place them in the bottom of the mug, and then pour the hot chocolate on top.
There's a saying in Colombia: "chocolate sin queso es como amor sin beso", which means "chocolate without cheese is like love without a kiss".
Colombian hot chocolate with cheese is called "chocolate santafereño" or "chocolate completo" when served with bread for dipping.
Colombian hot chocolate has a stronger and more complex flavour than American hot chocolate, and it is not as sweet.
