On our trips to Central America we were often given a drink made with cacao and allspice, which is known as "Pimienta Gorda" (fat pepper) in Spanish. Adding local spices was a common way to make "chocolatl," a drink which was, for thousands of years, the primary way people consumed cacao.
The history of chocolatl is fascinating, dating back thousands of years to the Olmecs, Mayans and finally the Aztecs. For more of the story check out our "Brief History of Cacao" page! Although traditional chocolatl doesn't include sugar, this hot cocoa is a sweet and savory way to experience the spiced flavors which are present in the historically significant drink.
As with all our hot cocoas we've freshly pressed this cacao powder ourselves, from the same directly sourced single origin beans we use to make our bars. We're one of the only chocolate makers who do this! It's not alkalized and there are no additives, so in addition to the savory, spicy flavors of the pimienta you can also taste the true flavor notes of the cacao. This is the perfect hot cocoa for curling up in front of a warm fire!
This Spice Is So Nice!
Like the name implies, allspice has hints of a number of different spices in its flavor profile, including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. We love using "local" favors, and it's also the only spice which grows only in the Western Hemisphere. We source this particular Pimienta Gorda from the single origin spice masters at Burlap and Barrel, who purchase it directly from small farmers in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. If that region sounds familiar it's because it's the same place our Asochivite cacao comes from!
About Burlap & Barrel
Burlap & Barrel is a Public Benefit Corporation building new international food supply chains that are equitable, transparent and traceable. Their unique and personally sourced spices can be found in the kitchens of Michelin star chefs. And for good reason - the flavors are extraordinary. We encourage you to check out their website to learn more about the great work they're doing, and also discover their unmatched selection of spices... including the Pimienta Gorda (Sweet Allspice) we used in this cocoa!
For more hot cocoa flavors check out our award-winning single origin El Carmen, Asochivite and Almendra Blanca hot cocoa. And for a unique flavor experience try our Hot Cocoa Tasting Collection.
Vegan. Gluten free. Milk free.
For best flavor we recommend adding 3 tablespoons of our Spiced Hot Cocoa to 1 cup of hot 2% milk (or water).
