What American Tourists Might Want To Know Before Ordering A Hot Chocolate In Italy

Hot chocolate is a delicacy that warms the heart. This is particularly true on a cold winter night, and there's nothing quite like that liquid heaven touching your lips and spreading a cozy, warm fuzzy feeling from head to toe. For many, hot chocolate is comfort in drink form.

One of the best aspects of travel is getting to sample how other cultures and traditions interpret the things we know and love. Doing so offers a sense of unity and diversity, linking people together while providing an insight into cultural differences along the way. One fascinating delicious difference between America and Italy is hot chocolate. For many, Italian hot chocolate is a must-try in il Bel Paese. However, Americans need to know that the Italian interpretation is nothing like the hot chocolate back home. Italian hot chocolate is more of a melted chocolate dessert, with a thick, creamy consistency, and a bitter taste that is absolutely heavenly. Yes, there is chocolate, and yes, it is hot, but this isn't your standard hot chocolate.

When you think of hot chocolate, most people conjure up an image of a sweet, milky drink, just as is standard in the United States. However, that isn't what you should expect when ordering a hot chocolate in Italy. The Italian alternative is richer, thicker, and made from actual melted chocolate as opposed to cocoa powder. It can feel more like a dessert than a hot beverage, but that is no bad thing.

Another noticeable difference is the size of the drink. While everything is quite big in America, Italian hot chocolate usually comes in smaller cups. After all, finishing an American-sized drink with a consistency this thick would be a challenge. Its pudding-like texture can even be eaten with a spoon, allowing you to scoop up the velvety, smooth, bittersweet delight. Italian hot chocolate offers a more intense chocolaty flavor without the same sweetness, which could come as a surprise to many Americans, and can be paired with whipped cream or with pastries to offer a balanced, delightful experience.

While Italian hot chocolate is usually available during the colder months, from fall to winter, some places still offer it year-round. Enjoyed as a delicacy, the hot chocolate can be found in fabulous gelato stores, chocolate shops, and even in local bars. Due to the consistency and smooth, hot, thick, melted chocolate, it is best to be appreciated while sitting down in a cozy cafe, allowing you to savor every sip (or spoonful). Known as "cioccolata calda" in Italian, remember to ask for the drink "con panna" if you'd like it with whipped cream. While you're at it, don't forget to brush up on a few Italian phrases before heading on your trip.

Another difference is when the drink is most commonly devoured. While Americans might view hot chocolate as a morning drink, it is more common in Italy to order this delight as an afternoon indulgence or even a post-dinner dessert. Either way, it is utterly delicious and borderline sinful (in the best way), further proof that Italy is at the top of the tree when it comes to all things delicious.