Making my cocoa mix into instant cocoa mix
Yes, I have read the answers to this question, but none of them are what I am after. I even posted an answer there, but it is an expensive, if delicious one. The key word I am after is instant cocoa mix. Please don't suggest a blender.
I came up with a cocoa recipe I quite like (1 Tbs sugar, 4 tsp unpacked cocoa powder, 2-3 cups of milk - yes, I generally prefer more cocoa powder than sugar). However, I would like to make it an instant mix, rather than having to mix a small amount with hot water, mix that first, then add milk (or use a blender I don't want to wash).
Obviously this is achievable as cocoa mixes off the store shelf don't require this extra step. What are my options for making my cocoa mix truly "instant" (I don't care if it becomes syrup instead of a mix, just as long as there is no powdered milk in there - ugh, who in the world decided there could be gourmet cocoa with powdered milk, there is no such thing as gourmet powdered milk)
Best Answer
Looking at the ingredients for Nesquick for example:
- SUGAR
- COCOA PROCESSED WITH ALKALI
- SOY LECITHIN
- CARRAGEENAN
- SALT
- ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS
- SPICE
- VITAMINS AND MINERALS: CALCIUM CARBONATE, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C), ZINC OXIDE, PYRIDOXINE HYDROCHLORIDE (VITAMIN B6), COPPER GLUCONATE, MANGANESE SULFATE, BIOTIN.
The key elements are soy lecithin, which is an emulsifier, and carrageenan, which is a thickener especially effective in dairy products. The lecithin will help the cocoa to become suspended in the liquid phase, and the carrageenan will help the particles not stick to each other.
What does not appear on the label is how some of these ingredients are processed. It is likely that the cocoa is modified by being pre-gelatinized, so that it will have reduced clumping properties, and then reground quite fine to enhance how well it dissolves. This is not something that you can achieve at home.
As you mention, you can probably create a syrup from your ingredients, but it may settle over time and have to be shaken.
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How do you make the perfect instant hot chocolate?
Instant cocoa is a powdered mix that can be bought or made and is used to add a hot liquid, such as water or milk, to it in order to make a drink such as hot chocolate. Different types of chocolate and cocoa can be used in these types of mixes, and they can be purchased in most areas fairly inexpensively.What is cocoa instant?
Microwave for a minute or until almost boiling, and it should be completely dissolved. Since you're trying to make chocolate milk not hot cocoa, just chill it afterwards. Show activity on this post. If you've already screwed it up and have added the powder to a lot of liquid, just microwave it until it's warm/hot.How do you turn cocoa powder into liquid?
You can mix it into a small amount of very hot water, then when it's well mixed add the milk. I do this very frequently. Don't add the water to the cocao, or use milk to start with. Stir with the handle of a table knife, or some sort of swizzle stick.Homemade Instant Hot Cocoa Mix
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