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Winter is here, and there's nothing better than sipping on a lovely hot beverage to keep warm. What's more, studies have even shown that drinking warm drinks when accompanied by someone, makes you feel more "emotionally warm", as it helps influence feelings of trust and empathy towards the people around you.
Especially now we spend more time with family and friends during the Christmas holidays, there's more reason to put the kettle on and serve some nice cups of tea!
Read on and discover some of the most famous hot beverages with us to enjoy this winter!
It Atole is the most common hot drink in Mexico-- you can find it in any street corner or stall with one of its many varieties. This delicious beverage has a sweet aroma and thick texture, and Mexicans usually enjoy it accompanied by tamales, which makes for a great source of energy. Even though they are usually sweet, there isn't a fixed recipe to prepare it. You may find some of them are made salty, sour, and even spicy.
Atole can also be used medicinally, such as the rice Atole prepared with cinnamon and sugar, which helps stabilize and prevent stomach issues.
Chocolat Chaud (hot chocolate) is France's favourite hot beverage for winter. Even though drinking hot chocolate has become widely popular in the West, each country has its unique way of preparing it.
Chocolate Chaud is a typical drink to have during Christmas and the first days of the new year.
Their recipe is simple, and can have a little hit of alcohol:
In a saucepan, add the milk, the dark chocolate pieces and a few teaspoons of cognac. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once the chocolate has been diluted and mixed well, leave to sit for about 10 minutes, and serve.
>>> Discover more about the gastronomy in France
There are other versions of hot chocolate, such as the Spanish Chocolate Caliente. This one is similar to the French one- only the texture is thicker and more consistent. Therefore one can simply add a bit of cornstarch and dilute it with the milk and chocolate. The Spanish usually accompany it with churros.
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Moroccan Mint Tea is a sign of friendship and tradition and is a favourite for many because of its aroma, and mildly sweet taste. This infusion is very popular and is served throughout the day, and after every meal. Moroccans compete to prepare the richest and delicious mint tea when they have guests coming over. If you happen to go to Morocco, try several friends' tea and then judge which is the best, your hosts will love it. You should drink a minimum of two or three glasses so as not to offend your host.
>>> Discover more about culture and traditions in Morocco
The Masala Chai Tea in India is almost a religion. It is known as the Indian spiced tea, inherited from the south, and now become popular throughout India and in many other Asian countries. This traditional tea is made from a mixture of spices and aromatic herbs. The traditional version is with cardamom, clove, pepper, star anise, ginger and cinnamon. However, there is no fixed recipe, and many families even make their own style.
Kazuyu is a hot and sweet Japanese drink made from kudzu, flour and hot water. It has a thick texture similar to honey, its colour is somewhat clear or translucent, and it's usually served in a cup or tea bag. Traditionally Kuzuyu is served as a hot dessert drink during the winter months.
A variety of Kuzuyu called kakkonto, which sometimes contains cinnamon, is used by traditional Chinese medicine to cure dreadful "hangovers".
Rakómelo is a typical hot beverage in Greece, made out of honey and various spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom or aromatic cloves. It is a golden and slightly transparent drink, traditionally made in Crete and other Aegean islands. This rich digestible alcoholic drink powered by antioxidants such as flavonoids has also been traditionally used as a home remedy for sore throats or coughs. However, it is also an alcoholic delight to enjoy on a cold winter day.
This drink is the Greek alternative to hot spiced wine and is also often served in ski resorts throughout the country, with regional variations.
If you happen to be in Greece during the winter months and go skiing, then you should be sure to have a glass of this magical liquid and curl up by the fire after a long day racing down the slopes.
Bombardino is a delicious coffee cocktail and a must-try when spending the winter months in Italy. It's a favourite in ski resorts throughout the country as the combination of hot coffee, Advocaat and brandy make the perfect remedy for cold fingers after a day's skiing on the slopes.
Bombardino is arguably the most popular winter cocktail in Italy, and people serve it in small glasses with whipped cream and cinnamon. It is apparently not very different from eggnog, only that it is served hot rather than cold, and has a higher level of alcohol content.
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Credit Photo : Coffee Geek
