Previously on The Hot Chocolate Adventure Tamara Green explained why she has taken to the streets of Port Perry to find the number one hot chocolate! And made her stops at: Durham Homestyle Gourmet, The Pantry Shelf, Cafe Mocha, Millar's Market, Queen Bean's, the Piano Cafe. Now direct from the hot chocolate scene Tamara narrates: The indecisive sky both looming and smiling above poetically reflects my thoughts on Hank's Pastries hot chocolate. Challenge with how to put my tastes to words this post has taken me somewhat longer to write, hence yesterday's "So what's with the Hot Chocolate Craze?" article. But rest assured I have had a long talk with my taste buds and we've managed to put their thoughts down on electronic paper (okay I am just kidding I did not really "talk with" my taste buds but it sounded funny to say so I said it). Hank's Pastries... that's a walk down memory lane. There are only two restaurants (which happen to both be bakeries as well) do I feel sentimental about, and Hanks Pastries and Butter Tarts N' More hold that special place. When I was young occasionally we'd have breakfast at Hank's (as we lovingly refer to it), this was not just any breakfast but it was their very special Teddy Bear Pancakes ebullient with chocolate chips! Back on topic... up the classic stair way I go climbing my tall staircase of hopes for the next hot chocolate, at Hank's Pastries on Queen Street. I glide in to the quaint bakery and restaurant. Rows of tempting day ol' buns, rolls, and tarts greet me "Hello." And to my left a packed display of fresh brownies, cake size fritters, and cookies wink as if to say "Come on in!" It's only a few step to the cash register sandwiched between the displays of fresh quality baked goods (alas not GF). "Can I get a hot chocolate, please?" I ask. "Yes. Would you like a medium or large?" I request a medium and she leaves only for a moment to fill up my artsy Styrofoam to-go cup. By the quality of the cup I would have guest it was heavy duty paper but no it was indeed Styrofoam. My hot chocolate is promptly rung into the sum of two dollars, and refreshing change from the recent three fifty plus hot chocolates (from Cafe Mocha, Millar's Market, and the Piano Cafe). Now I have my hot chocolate in hand tempting as it is to dive right in it's not until I get outside on the front stoop that I'll take my first hopeful sip. Side note: the ol' fashioned feel Hank's has begs that a tiny little bell should be dangled above the door. Now for the first taste... Unlike the first sip of Queen Bean's hot chocolate I wasn't left with an immediate impression. Perplexed of what to make of the hot chocolate I lift the uniquely design plastic lid to reveal a hot chocolate beautifully laced with a pale rosy foam (probably the result of steamed milk). Through the bubbles I spy a deep brown liquid. So what did it taste like? Why was I having such a hard time figuring out what it tasted like? I'll get to that in a minute. First, it was hot. My tongue didn't burn, the hit strangely skipped over my tongue, and hit the back of my throat. I wasn't burnt, scalded, or singed but to more sensitive individual may be burnt at such a heat. If you prefer not to risk burning your self take the lid off and set the hot chocolate down on a solid surface for one minute and then you should be good to go! I think it was this extreme heat that was preventing me from clearly tasting the full flavour of this beverage. A matter of taste... The taste... this cup is a rich cocoa without being bitter or overpoweringly sweet. Feeling... The texture is thin, not watery parse (although for the sake of the score card below I'd labeled it as such) because it's not weak in flavour but the around the edges of the cup you can see the drink is slightly clearish and it flows freely. The allusive after taste... The allusive after taste... there is a taste I've previously in hot chocolates (Durham Homestyle Gourmet and the Pantry Shelf) only when cream, whip cream or poor quality marshmallows have been stirred into it. It's not the texture of but the flavour of the fats/oils. Yet this hot chocolate it was clear to tell did not have any of the above added to it nor was the skin of the beverage oily. So what is causing this flavour? I still don't know perhaps the Styrofoam cup. I'll have go back and try it again in a mug. However my sister gives it a highly impressive 10 out of 10!!! My over all assessment... Too hot. Good level of cocoa to sugar. Too thin. Strange allusive after taste. Don't take my word for it though, if what I just described as my preferred hot chocolate is not yours, then judge for yourself with the handy-dandy score card below!
Are you ready to come along for the ride as I share with you my findings, cup by cup!?! Just keep coming back to find out what happens next or subscribe via the comments page or the RSS feed. In any case I hope to continue to share my adventures with you! Jollily signed, Tamara Green
Comments
|
use promo code 30BELOW UNTIL SEPT 31ST FOR 30% OFF!
Happy to meet you,
If you are that person with a million and one allergies and intolerance I am there to say you are not alone! Life After Gluten can be better than life with wheat. Living lactose-free since 2007 and gluten-free since 2013. Also intolerant and/or allergic to mushrooms, soy, and yeast.
Categories
All
Archives
October 2024
Affiliate Links Disclaimer Life After Gluten receives a small commission from the sales made through our affiliate links. However, I only promote affiliate products that are relevant to the articles that brought you here. The commissions received through your purchases help maintain this site. Thank you for your support!
|
RSS Feed
Photo from Brett Jordan
