Tsokolate or Filipino hot chocolate is unadorned. No whipped cream, marshmallows or sweet syrups to hide behind. Made with just milk and tablea or cocoa tablets, it is what chocolate purists dream of. It’s quick, easy, delicious and sure to lift your spirits!
Over the holidays we saw a slew of incredible hot chocolate drinks invade our screens, all of them equally luxurious and divine. Some had marshmallows on top of whipped cream on top of ice cream on top of brownies. They were amazing!
That’s what the holidays are for after all. Once a year we reward ourselves with delightful things that we can then dream about the whole year.
This is not that kind of hot chocolate though. Filipino hot chocolate or tsokolate (pronounced cho-coh-lah-teh) is simple, muted, like that hug you need on a particularly dreary winter day, after a nasty time at work, when all you want to do is sit and read a book (preferably a cookbook with nice photos).
Winter chill
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Last weekend we heard words like “arctic air”, “extreme cold weather alert” and “icy road conditions” thrown around. There was not much snow where I was but the temperature dipped to -20C (-4F). You’d think living in Canada all these years I’d be used to this by now but understand that I grew up in the tropics so I always find myself feeling personally offended by winter (I mean, the wind hurts me face!).
Enter tsokolate. Now that makes me feel better about my eyeballs feeling cold.
Filipino hot chocolate all year
Truth be told, I drink hot chocolate all year. Yes, even in the summer. Weird? I think not. It’s chocolate, it’s delicious, and I drink it somewhere air-conditioned.
I mean, why do coffee drinkers get their hot coffee all year and I’m judged when I have my hot chocolate? Why am I getting so angry? I blame winter lol.
Tsokolate tablea
Anyway, back to this tsokolate recipe – there really is nothing simpler. The hardest part is getting hold of good quality tablea (here’s an example
Some are better than others (i.e. chocolatier and purer) but your recipe testing is sure to be a delicious one!
Whisk away
Tsokolate is traditionally made by whisking the tablea in milk with a batidor or wooden whisk that kind of looks like a honey dipper but more intense. Imagine little Filipino grandmas beating the life out of a tablea with a batidor they probably inherited from their own grandmas. Now those are epic tsokolate.
Sadly, I don’t have a batidor so I just use a normal whisk
Be warned though: no matter how vigorously you whisk you will get some bits of cocoa in your drink – tsokolate is traditionally slightly gritty (I love that about it) but you can strain your hot chocolate if you prefer a smoother drink
Perfect with ensaymada
Remember that easy ensaymada recipe I shared last week? Tsokolate would be perfect with that! Make both and treat yourself to an afternoon of Filipino treats.
Though tsokolate is great at breakfast too (pancakes anyone?) and, of course, at night when you’re winding down after that nasty day I was talking about earlier.
Whenever you decide to have your mug of Filipino hot chocolate, you’re sure to feel better about your day. Let’s get through winter together!
Tsokolate or Filipino hot chocolate is unadorned. No whipped cream, marshmallows, syrups. Just milk and cocoa tablets. Pure cocoa dream.
Ingredients
- 5 tsokolate tablea (see notes)
- 2 1/2 cups evaporated milk
Instructions
- Using a medium saucepan, dissolve 5 tsokolate tablea in 2 1/2 cups evaporated milk on medium heat by whisking vigorously with a balloon whisk (see notes).
- Once the tablea have almost completely dissolved, transfer to mugs. Serve warm.
Notes
The tablea I get is usually sweetened so there is no need for sugar or other sweeteners in this drink. They are available unsweetened though and it's very bitter. Check before purchasing.
You also have the option of using an immersion blender - once the tablea is soft and about 50% dissolved, remove from heat and blend. Reheat before serving.
Happy whisking!
Did you make tsokolate (Filipino hot chocolate)? Tell me about it in the comments section below. I’d love to hear all about it.
Apart from ensaymada, tsokolate would also go great with:
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- Classic Buttermilk Pound Cake
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- Apple Crumble Coffee Cake
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- Lemon Ricotta Muffins
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- Classic Buttermilk Scones
If you’re looking for another winter drink, check out this recipe for Turmeric Golden Milk.
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Marvelous cup of hot chocolate. We do have a store close by that sells Philippino goods. Must check it out for this
Awesome! Hope they sell the tableas. Enjoy your cup of tsokolate Shaheen!
Now I’m wanting a cup or two of this! Being diabetic I guess I would go with the unsweetened and then add a non sugar substitute!
I love hot chocolate and, like my collection of coffee and tea, I drink it year round. I have some of the cocoa tablets and they are a bit gritty.
Oh yum! This sounds wonderful for a cold chilly day. I will definitely have to try it! YUM!
My daughter is a hot chocolate and cappuccino expert. She will be surprised that she didn’t know about this hot chocolate.
Haha hope it’s a happy surprise 🙂 Thanks Tami!
Oh what a decadent drink! Never seen filipino hot chocolate but sounds yummy!
This hot chocolate sounds delish! Looks like the real deal. Super excited to give it a try. Perfect for a cold dreary day!
Thank you! It is pure cocoa, just awesome chocolate flavour. Hope it brightens up your dreary winter days (we’ve been having quite a few lately!)
This hot chocolate drink brings back memories of cold winter days when I was a little girl. My mom always made us hot chocolate for breakfast. I know it is weird, but I feel so much love when I take a sip of my mom’s hot choco. I would assume you had that same feeling too, having to savor a drink you grew up with.
I those are the best kinds of recipes, filled with happy memories!
Hot chocolate must be enjoyed anytime of the year! I agree with you, if you can drink coffee even during hot summer days, why not hot chocolate too? I wish I could try some of that authentic tablea you mentioned. It must be so good!
Right? They’re too good not to be 🙂 I hope you find them too! Thanks Annemarie!
Who’s silly enough to judge you for drinking hot chocolate at any one time? I love it and can drink it year round if I’m in the mood.
IKR?? Silly, silly people 🙂 Let’s enjoy hot chocolate year round!
I love trying recipes from different parts of the world. I’ll bet this tastes so good.
Me too! We’re lucky to live in a city so diverse that we can get different cuisines whenever we go out.
As a huge hot chocolate lover this sounds delicious to me! I for sure need to try it!
Holy cow this looks soooo good! Im a sucker for hot chocolate and I’ve never had it like this! Cue mouth watering now! Maybe i’ll try it today since its freezing outside!
Cant wait to try this! My son is really into hot cocoa right now!
Yum! This looks absolutely incredible. I’ve been having Mexican hot chocolate lately so a Filipino version sounds great change.
Thanks! I love a warm mug of Mexican hot chocolate too 🙂
Yum, this sounds delicious. I can’t wait to try it!
This. Sounds. Amazing. I am just going to come over to your house and you can make me allllll the desserts! LOL!
Awesome idea! You guys bring the drinks (of course!) (PS: and if you can, an extra tray of your amazing boozy marshmallows teehee)
Sounds delicious! I love the image of a grandmother beating the heck out warm milk and chocolate! Ha! Also, you could move to Vancouver … the wind will never hurt your face here! 😉
Haha maybe I should! Or at least visit, I hear it’s lovely!
Always looking for a tasty new hot chocolate recipe. Found it! LOL
Yum yum yum! This looks delicious! I want to try it!
Oh man, I haven’t had this since I was a little girl. Brings back such fond memories sitting around the kitchen table on a Saturday morning and having it with warm pandesal. 🙂
Oh man me too! So many happy memories with tsokolate and pandesal and all those fun times spent at lolo and lola’s house! Ahhh the good old days 🙂
I love hot chocolate so must give this a try. First I will have to try and find everything I need to make this great looking hot chocolate.
It’s really delicious, hope you find really good tablea where you are 🙂
I am all for hot chocolate, and even insist on my coffee having a fair amount of chocolate in it. I have never had this before, I will have to try it. Thanks!
One can never have too much chocolate and it sounds delicious with coffee!
I’ve been drinking a ton of hot chocolate lately because it’s been so cold! I’d love to try this – it looks so creamy and delicious!
I love love love hot chocolate! During the winter it is my go-to drink because it is so tasty and helps you warm up! This spin sounds so good!
Me too, anytime of the year, but especially during the cold months 🙂 Hope you like this version!
It’s such a great warming and comforting drink. I love that you don’t need additional sweetener.
I love that about it too! You can really taste the earthy, lovely cocoa 🙂
It’s cold as hell here and this hot chocolate would fit amazingly, thank you!
This would certainly help! Keep warm Maria!
A nice warm cup of cocoa and snuggling in a blanket sounds heavenly! I love the simplicity of Filipino hot chocolate and would prefer this version without marshmallows!
Mmm I think I would like this. Your mugs are cute, too. 🙂
Aren’t they?? They’re from the Pioneer Woman collection which I have been slowly but surely hoarding haha!
Okay two things:
1- This sounds and looks really really delicious!
2- I’m a hot cocoa year round drinker is well! A girl needs her chocolate and I don’t see any reason why it shouldn’t be in drink form all day and all night every day of the year! lol!
Oh yay! Another year-round hot cocoa drinker 🙂 We can start a movement I tell ya!
I love all your Filipino dishes and this is definitely another one I’d like to try! Looks so comforting for winter.
Thank you Crystal! Hope it helps you keep warm!
Yeah I agree with you Hot chocolate can be taken any season. I take my hot chocolate as dessert. Tablea is a must try 🙂
Hi Robin! Oh yeah, hot choco any time of the year AND as dessert. I like the way you think! 🙂
This would be nice. The evaporated milk will give it a different rich flavor. Must try this.
It makes it rich and very creamy 🙂 Hope you like it Gillian!
Everything about Filipino Hot Chocolate is like heaven to me! It’s the only way to really, really drink a hot chocolate. Oh, and I am loving your PW cups – I have the same two in my cupboard!
I agree 🙂 And oh dear I am becoming addicted to the PW collection. I am buying it one piece at a time haha. I love them. Thanks Byron!
looks delicious and perfect for the cold weather we are having right now !!
This sounds great! I wonder if I can get tsokolate tablea at my local international market. I’ll keep an eye out. BTW, I love your quote, “like that hug you need on a particularly dreary winter day…”
Thanks Debi! 🙂 And I hope you can find them (if all else fails – Amazon lol!).
I love any and all hot chocolates! I bet this one is not any different, I’d love it too. 🙂 I’ll have to look for that chocolate the though!
Hi Joanna! Agree! Chocolate is chocolate 🙂 Hope you find the tablea!
This looks like such a delicious, cozy drink! You also take such beautiful photos 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!
You are most welcome Mary Jane! You’re too kind 🙂
this looks so good
Your recipe sounds delicious. Especially, when it’s minus twenty degrees outside. And by the way, I have cup envy! They are just gorgeous.
Aren’t they?? They’re from the Pioneer Woman collection, which I am slowly getting obsessed with haha! Thanks Katrin!
I think the older I get, the less I enjoy the cold. I mean, I never really did like the cold, but now I don’t think I can handle it at all! Bundle me up when I go out, that’s for sure! I’m like the little kid in A Christmas Story….ya know the younger brother when the mother puts his suit on him he can’t even put his arms down he has that much clothes on, lol 😀 Anyway, hot chocolate…I love hot chocolate too and have never heard of tsokolate before. Sounds quite interesting and as I was reading your post I was thinking about how badly I just want to cuddle up with a big mug of this and a book. Stay warm, my friend and have a great week!
Haha I know exactly what you mean. One time I was so cold I tried driving with my parka hood on. Needless to say it was not my smartest idea teehee. And me, hot chocolate and a book (or possibly Netflix) would be my jam this winter. Stay warm too Dawn! Have a lovely (and not too chilly or snowy) week!