Well, we have survived nearly another year despite restrictions, health scares, and a global pandemic that shows no sign of abating. No doubt the superb Latvian ice creams discussed at length in the Rare Ice Cream Finds thread helped some of us to get through the blazing heat of summer. Now that the temperatures in northern Taiwan are dropping, what will sustain us in the winter?
I am here to tell you that one answer may be “hot chocolate.” Yes, that delicious guilty pleasure that warms our bodies and soothes our souls. And in December 2021, I am pleased to say that some very interesting options are out there in selected convenience stores, at least in the capital. If these drinks are available nation-wide, I’d love to hear about it below.
First, at Family Mart: a new collaborative line with the celebrated local chocolate maker Yu Chocolatier. A sandwich-like concoction with chocolate spread is available for NT$39, as is soft serve ice cream. The star of the show, however, is the hot chocolate. It’s not powered, and it takes the staff a decent amount of time to prepare, as they need to stir and stir and stir to make sure the chocolate dissolves. It’s a complex drink, quite unlike other mass market products out there. I would not serve this to children, but if you have an adult palate and enjoy a wide range of tastes (including some spicy chocolate notes), this drink is well worth trying. Cost: NT$120 (some discount now, the regular cost is, I think, NT$149).
Meanwhile, over at 7-11: a more conventional yet also satisfying road is followed, via a collaboration with Godiva. To my taste, this is a much more straightforward tasting hot chocolate, made from powder, and creamier than the Yu Chocolatier version noted above. It’s still very good, and I think likely to satisfy a wider range of people who appreciate familiar-tasting drinks. As a power-based drink, it comes in a bit cheaper—as you would expect—at NT$99.
We cannot stop the pandemic, but for now at least we can choose our hot chocolate. Enjoy!
Guy
