Hot Drinks

A variety of hot drinks that are Filipino-made will be showcased on this side of the site. Filipino love to sip hot coffee or chocolate especially during the rainy season.

Tsokolate started during the Spanish colonial era as beverage for the elites. Today, tsokolate remains a part of Filipino culture that gained popularity throughout the world.

Making tsokolate (hot chocolate) is easy. Boil a cup of water in a pot, then add tablea (chocolate tablets). Then, let the choco tablet soften, use wire whisk or wooden beater to stir the mixture. Remove from heat and add sugar before serving. Hot chocolate is best served with suman and ripe mango. Filipinos served hot tsokolate during special occassions or family gatherings like after mass or during Christmas eve. Tsokolate is made from homemade chocolate from the cacao tree.

How to make tableya. First, cacao beans are roasted. Then, the beans go on a grinding machine and ground at least two to three times for a smooth liquid consistency. Third, resulting substance is set aside to cool before they are molded into round shapes. Lastly, let it dry and pack them with cellophane or with a good packaging material.
source: http://dalareich.wordpress.com/2008/05/20/tablea-or-tableya/

Another traditional hot drink in the country is salabat or ginger tea.

Salabat (Ginger tea)
Ingredients:
•    2-3 cups of water
•    8-10 thin slices of fresh ginger
•    1/2 cup brown sugar
Procedure:
Simmer ginger and sugar in water for about 30 minutes. Serve hot. You can adjust the strength of the tea by adding more ginger or more water depending on your preference.
Recipe source: http://www.carinderia.net/recipes/salabat.html

Hot honey lemon drink
Ingredients:
•    1 tablespoon of honey
•    2 tablespoon of lemon juice
•    1 cup hot water

Procedure:
Place lemon juice and honey in a cup and pour hot water and mix well. Makes 1 cup.

Hot mocha
Ingredients:
•    1 tablespoon honey
•    2 tablespoons chocolate powder
•    1 tablespoon milk
•    1 tablespoon coffee
Procedure:
Mix all ingredients in a mug, pour hot water and mix well. Makes 1 cup.
All these hot drinks are easy to prepare and perfect during cold weather or on a lazy morning. There are chocolate or cocoa tablets available in supermarkets.