So the other night I was out much too late with my friend, Calvin. A couple weeks ago, while Naomi and Jason were visiting, we had dinner and Calvin joined us. At some point he mentioned something about the absolutely best hot chocolate, not just here in Salt Lake, but perhaps anywhere, and I was aghast that he'd make such a declaration. He insisted and then told me he'd take me for some so I could try it and taste so for myself.
I am a chocolate snob, people. I have been for my entire life. Well, yes, I will admit that there was a time in my life when my entire diet consisted of Coke and M&M's. Lydia, she of the glorious boobs, will gladly tell you that I had Coke and M&M's for breakfast nearly every single day while we were in boarding school. I used to have huge two pound bags of M&M's in my room. She might also tell you (and you all will fall over in disbelief) that I used to scoop dry Lipton iced tea mix right out of the can and drop it into my mouth on the way to theatre practice every afternoon. Oh, yes, I was the epitome of healthy eating in those days.
That diet actually followed me to college. However, when I landed in London it immediately ceased. One because the Coke in London tastes nothing like the Coke at home. Two because the chocolate in London is far superior to the chocolate here. It just is. There's more fat in it. FAT! Oh glorious fat. It was those two years in London that broke me of both my Coke habit and my M&M's habit and started a chocolate snobbery that finds me purchasing $7 organic very dark chocolate bars to slip into my pocket in case I find I need chocolate during all those film festivals.
Thus, I was dubious about this so called best hot chocolate that was going to be purveyed right here in Salt Lake City.
The hot chocolate in question is found at a little family owned chocolate shop, Hatch Family Chocolates, located in the Avenues. They're open late and everything is made on the premises. When we arrived, there was a family of five clearly enjoying not only their milkshakes but also their chocolates in one corner. There was a young girl who was eager to serve us and there was another young guy who was working in the back.
Straight away, Calvin ordered us two dark hot chocolates. I immediately grew enchanted with all the home made confections in the glass case in front of me. Dark and Milk chocolate truffles filled with all kinds of fruits and creams that just looked, well, scrumptious! I asked the girl who was working if folks bought them for Halloween and while she was telling me that yes some folks did, Calvin told me that he buys them for Christmas gifts nearly every year.
He asked me if I wanted one? Who is going to refuse an offer of hand crafted chocolate? Certainly not me. So he asked which one I wanted and I told him I was torn between an almond cream filled dark chocolate one and a very classic dark chocolate truffle. Did I want two? No, I didn't want two. He told me I was lying, of course I wanted two. No, I insisted, one would be great.
Our hot chocolates were ready. I'll admit that even the smell was like pure chocolate heaven. The last best hot chocolate that I had truly enjoyed had been at Scharffenbergers factory in Berkeley. I adore their chocolate and use it frequently in my cooking, but have noticed that it hasn't been quite as good since they took investment from Hershey's. They promised it wasn't going to change their quality, but I just feel like the chocolate isn't quite as FAT as it used to be. It's the only way I can explain it. My baking doesn't have that over the top richness it had before Hershey's entered the picture.
I grabbed my heavenly hot chocolaty goodness and was about to take a sip when Calvin instructed me to get a tiny straw. A tiny straw? Who drinks hot chocolate out of a tiny straw? But I wasn't going to argue with him. I knew that there must be a reason for sipping this delicacy through a straw meant for stirring coffee.
I took a straw. I took a sip. It was so thick, so creamy, it got stuck washing over my tongue and coated my throat like a warm, chocolate flavored river. I couldn't help but think of Augustus Gloop slurping from the river in Willy Wonka. I thought perhaps that's why Calvin insisted on the straw?! So I don't slurp like Augustus Gloop and end up drowning in my eagerness to drink it all.
It really was that good. I drank every last drop and I was sad when it was all gone.
"Wow, this is actually better than in California!", I marveled to Calvin. And I really meant it. I think that the Hatch Family might make the best hot chocolate I've ever had anywhere.
Calvin purchased a box of six chocolates for himself to savor in the days to come. He bought me two. I had told him I only needed one, but my little bag had two. I told him I would save them for the next day at work when that afternoon craving for something sweet hit, but I still insisted that one would have been plenty.
The next day, just as it always does, the craving hit. I remembered Calvin's little bag of chocolaty goodness in my purse. I took one chocolate out and savored it for what might be the world's record for slowly consuming one piece of chocolate. It was rich. It was creamy. The marriage of coconut and chocolate were just exactly right. The almond cream on top added a delicate top note of richness. Oh, it was just lovely. And it left me absolutely craving more.
Again, Calvin was right.
He just knew I needed two.
Hatch Family Chocolates
390 4th Ave
Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Phone: (801) 532-4912
- Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-10pm
- Hand-Dipped Chocolates, Hot Chocolate
