7 Days in Peru- Day 1: The Sacred Valley, Chocolate Making at Choco Museo
We found out the Choco Museu is actually in Lima, Cusco, and Ollantaytambo- All places we’d be! When we looked at schedules we decided to fit it in Ollantaytambo after visiting the ruins. It really was perfect timing to do it this way! Ruins all afternoon, a little city exploring, and then a chocolate making class from 4:00-7:00, with a little dinner after.
I can’t recommend this enough! We were downright giddy about this class.
We also learned the Incans were the first to use it, and that the beans were so precious they were used as currency. Five beans could buy you a livestock animal of your choice. They really felt it was a gift from the Gods, which we irreverently commemorated by this mural.
We started out by choosing a handful of beans, and learning how to roast them.
After they are roasted you need to shell them. But guess what, not even the shells are wasted! They make a tea that tastes like a chocolate bar with just water and shells. It was really good!
We wanted to prove we did our share of shelling- it was no easy task!
The beans are then put in a mortar and pestle and ground into cocoa powder.
They then taught us how to make two kinds of hot chocolate- the Incan kind…
Which they usually put blood in. Our fabulous teacher Liz asked Jacob to volunteer and he was ready to donate! She laughed pretty hard and let him know she was teasing. I’m still glad I caught the ready and willing Jacob in a picture.
After the spicy Incan hot chocolate we were introduced to the Spanish style hot chocolate. If the Spaniards gave the Incans one thing while they were conquering their country, it was the introduction to adding sugar and cream to beverages. Maybe not quite an even trade, but after drinking this amazing stuff the jury was still out for me.
From there we learned about chocolates and chocolate bars, and what percent of cocoa butter, sugar, cream, and chocolate go together. It made me feel so proud I’m a dark fan through and through- I am getting the most bang for my buck!
From there the proper amount of ingredients go through these machines for hours. We used the last class’s stuff so we would have time to pour our own chocolates.
They provided all kinds of options to make custom chocolates.
And then we carefully dipped and stirred in the ingredients. For the record, the salt from their local salt pools combined with the fresh dark chocolate is the stuff of the Gods.
We left two very happy people with treats we enjoyed throughout our trip.
And for the record, I am now ruined and American chocolate will never taste the same. I even told Jacob I’m ready to make it my life mission to get chocolate un-ruined in the United States. The Chocolate Revolution of 2014- who is with me?
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I love that you plan a special date within your vacation! So fun to do a cooking class while you were there!
This is such a cool experience!! My godmother is from Peru and I have always wanted to go! If I do, I am definitely trying this
What a cool experience! Although, I'll say I'm kind of glad American chocolate is ruined for me yet 😉
This looks sooo fun! It looks like you guys had a great time. I would love to do this with my hubby!
Wait. Wait. Wait. Chocolate museum?! Making chocolate?! How have I never heard of this??!!!
That class sounds so amazing. What a fun time!
That looks like so much fun. I absolutely love how intentional you two are about your dates. 🙂
looks really cool and not pricey at all, i too am jealous such a cute couple
This is pretty much the coolest thing, ever ! I'm a little jealous, haha.
Your custom chocolates look so fun to make! I love that you guys go on so many fun dates!
Oh my heck! How fun is this! Traveling is the best! Brand and I went to Russia this summer and I wish we could travel more!
This looks like so much fun! My gosh, who else can say that they made their own chocolate from scratch?
Awesome photos! That looks like so much fun!! What a cool experience!
How neat! What an experience!
Oh my gosh that's heaven!! Looks like so much fun!
OMG I would absolutely go bonkers with happiness in this class! My career is the culinary arts outside of blogging and I am always learning! I would love to do this!!!
I totally think you should start a chocolate revolution! I like the chocolate we have in the UK – Dairy milk is my absolute favourite!
This looks like the best date ever! I would love to do something like this!
Katie <3
Looks like you had a great time.
Such cute photos! You guys look like you're having fun! 😉
Yes! This is so cool. I would have felt like little Charlie from the Chocolate Factory that day.
How fun!!! What a perfect thing to experience 🙂 I need to go to fun stuff like this with my boyfriend
Wow, a holiday to Peru, how amazing is that and topped with chocolate, what could be better?!
This looks like so much fun! My boyfriend and I both love to cook and try new foods, so this would be a fun date idea.
Wow! That looks amazing and so fun! Now I need some chocolate…..
Tiffany
I'm with you on the chocolate revolution! Sounds like an amazing time!
Jill
dousedinpink.blogspot.com
I am so on board. Chocolate in America needs some serious help. Viva la revolucion!
Ummm that looks and sounds amazing. Please un-ruin American chocolate!