They are all open year round but traditionally, hot chocolate is served only in winter. Have you heard how the Italians are about adhering to the season? For example, they won’t take their coats off in March even if it’s unseasonably warm because it’s not yet “the season” to remove coats.
I haven’t heard that! Very interesting how the cultural norm overrides the actual temperature! So no hot chocolate, but cappuccinos and hot coffee are ok? 😱
There is something so rich, so indulgent and so completely sinful about digging into a hot chocolate in Florence. It is a warm hug on a winter day. It is a mild infatuation on a summer afternoon. Mind you, I am a cappuccino addict myself, partaking in at least 3 before the mandatory Italian cut off hour of 11am local time. Be warned, if you order one after 11am anywhere in Italy, and really anywhere in the world within eyeshot of any Italian, you will be judged. Don't say that I didn't warn you. However, hot chocolate stands on its own. For this rich, luxuriously thick, liquid crack, the only judgement that will be levied against you would be coming from you alone. Mostly as to why you haven't tried this before on your many visits to Italy. Yes, strolling through the Uffizi Galleries is always welcome. But don't forget to slow down. To really take life slowly. To really live La Dolce Vita, not just claim to on your Instagram account with a picture of yourself strolling through the Mercato Centrale. So bolt to Rivoire with all due haste. Stroll into Caffè Scudieri like a local. Pop into Caffè Gilli like you own the place. Throw all of your planning to the wind and simply stop to enjoy something so rich, so creamy and so effortlessly intoxicating, you will want to order a second one just so you can enjoy life standing still, if only for a moment. And as they say in Italy... "Prego!"
Ciao Marat, what a lovely comment 😀 Yes, a Florentine hot chocolate is a great way to “enjoy life standing still” 🤩 Most cafes and gelaterie that offer it, do so only in the winter. I think Gilli offers it year-round. But overall, it can be seen as a bit odd to ask for fuori stagione 😉
Fun fact - the word chocolate comes from the Aztec language, Nahuátl - xocolatl. Xococ means bitter and atl means drink. Cacahoatl is Nahuatl for the cacao fruit from which they made the drink. It was considered a sacred plant and used for rituals and currency. It is one of about only 10 words in the English language (also Italian, German, French etc) whose etymology is Aztec/Nahuátl.
I became a chocolate drink convert the first time I had a real chocolate drink in Lombardia in 1999, which was my first time in Italy. I was hooked! Even back in NYC in 2000 I couldn’t find it imported. Found it later in 2004 when I moved to Astoria with its huge Italian population. Nowadays the closest I get to it is Babbo chocolate drink.
Thanks Vincent, for noticing! I don’t quite understand why a post like this takes so long but between gathering the photos and writing the text and brushing up on some history… I started in the afternoon, took a break for dinner, and didn’t finish until 3:00am. That’s why most of my articles must go behind the paywall. This one is a freebie and while I could offer far simpler shorter posts for the free ones, somehow I’m not inclined that way. 😉
How I wish I could enjoy a thick hot chocolate drink on this cold, windy and rainy evening in Santa Cruz. You make it look and sound so delicious. It is nothing like what we have here. You must have enjoyed doing the research for this article. Thank you for all the information.
Loved the chili cocoa at Vestri. Do you know if Italians add cornstarch to make the cocoa? That’s in every recipe I find in the US and I am skeptical.
Hi, yes they do use cornstarch to thicken it.
Ooh this is my kind of beverage!
Don't miss it if you're in Florence in the winter!
Thinking I may catch the cafe you said is open year round on a brisk May morning…
They are all open year round but traditionally, hot chocolate is served only in winter. Have you heard how the Italians are about adhering to the season? For example, they won’t take their coats off in March even if it’s unseasonably warm because it’s not yet “the season” to remove coats.
I haven’t heard that! Very interesting how the cultural norm overrides the actual temperature! So no hot chocolate, but cappuccinos and hot coffee are ok? 😱
There is something so rich, so indulgent and so completely sinful about digging into a hot chocolate in Florence. It is a warm hug on a winter day. It is a mild infatuation on a summer afternoon. Mind you, I am a cappuccino addict myself, partaking in at least 3 before the mandatory Italian cut off hour of 11am local time. Be warned, if you order one after 11am anywhere in Italy, and really anywhere in the world within eyeshot of any Italian, you will be judged. Don't say that I didn't warn you. However, hot chocolate stands on its own. For this rich, luxuriously thick, liquid crack, the only judgement that will be levied against you would be coming from you alone. Mostly as to why you haven't tried this before on your many visits to Italy. Yes, strolling through the Uffizi Galleries is always welcome. But don't forget to slow down. To really take life slowly. To really live La Dolce Vita, not just claim to on your Instagram account with a picture of yourself strolling through the Mercato Centrale. So bolt to Rivoire with all due haste. Stroll into Caffè Scudieri like a local. Pop into Caffè Gilli like you own the place. Throw all of your planning to the wind and simply stop to enjoy something so rich, so creamy and so effortlessly intoxicating, you will want to order a second one just so you can enjoy life standing still, if only for a moment. And as they say in Italy... "Prego!"
Ciao Marat, what a lovely comment 😀 Yes, a Florentine hot chocolate is a great way to “enjoy life standing still” 🤩 Most cafes and gelaterie that offer it, do so only in the winter. I think Gilli offers it year-round. But overall, it can be seen as a bit odd to ask for fuori stagione 😉
Fun fact - the word chocolate comes from the Aztec language, Nahuátl - xocolatl. Xococ means bitter and atl means drink. Cacahoatl is Nahuatl for the cacao fruit from which they made the drink. It was considered a sacred plant and used for rituals and currency. It is one of about only 10 words in the English language (also Italian, German, French etc) whose etymology is Aztec/Nahuátl.
Very cool Moya! 😍 thanks!
I became a chocolate drink convert the first time I had a real chocolate drink in Lombardia in 1999, which was my first time in Italy. I was hooked! Even back in NYC in 2000 I couldn’t find it imported. Found it later in 2004 when I moved to Astoria with its huge Italian population. Nowadays the closest I get to it is Babbo chocolate drink.
I can relate to your experience having it for the first time over here in Italy😀
The chocolate looks amazing and very unique style! Would love to try it sometime!
It's the BEST! 🤩
Thanks Chandi. You have my mouth watering for this delicious rich chocolate!
Ciao Teri 😀 Do you have it when you spend time in Lucca in low season? I recall a few places there that do a good job with it.
You put some very serious time and effort into that. Bravo! As for me I just glance at the hot chocolate and it gives me a sugar headache lol
Thanks Vincent, for noticing! I don’t quite understand why a post like this takes so long but between gathering the photos and writing the text and brushing up on some history… I started in the afternoon, took a break for dinner, and didn’t finish until 3:00am. That’s why most of my articles must go behind the paywall. This one is a freebie and while I could offer far simpler shorter posts for the free ones, somehow I’m not inclined that way. 😉
How I wish I could enjoy a thick hot chocolate drink on this cold, windy and rainy evening in Santa Cruz. You make it look and sound so delicious. It is nothing like what we have here. You must have enjoyed doing the research for this article. Thank you for all the information.
Hi Melisa, yeah, it’s a whole other animal😄 and it feels healing as well as warming on a cold day or night.