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Author Topic: hot cocoa  (Read 1815 times)

Offline violaleebrews

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hot cocoa
« on: November 07, 2010, 02:18:58 pm »
i've been concocting a recipe for a chocolate porter with a rich chocolatey flavor profile, as a dessert beer, and all i see on any message board is the addition of cocoa nibs in the secondary (with a very wide variety of quantities and contact time). 

i was wondering if anyone has used an instant hot cocoa powder at any point in the brewing process whether it was during the boil, secondary or bottling process, to achieve a sweet chocolatey profile.  i'm speculating that the sweetness in those powders might be due to a fermentable sugar that doesn't translate to the finished brew.   (maybe it would help to add some lactose sugar in the boil?) 

any thoughts?

Offline dbeechum

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Re: hot cocoa
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2010, 03:18:04 pm »
My worry with hot cocoa mix would be the milk solids in it. Don't know how those will age in the acidic environment of beer.
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Offline richardt

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Re: hot cocoa
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2010, 04:51:26 pm »
I've tried the cocoa powder (not hot cocoa mix) and the cacao nibs--both in the secondary.  Not that impressed.

I'd try the clear chocolate flavoring used for coffees.  A lot less work and worry.

Offline violaleebrews

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Re: hot cocoa
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2010, 06:58:51 pm »
hey, thanks for the feedback, guys!  i'm always concocting some sort of recipe in my brain.  it's hard to tell which ideas might be worth a damn. 
thanks again!

Offline euge

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Re: hot cocoa
« Reply #4 on: November 09, 2010, 01:41:43 am »
I added about 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the boil in a dark ale. Never could tell it was chocolate, but there was a "richness" to it. Very drinkable. That batch went quickly.
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Offline ipaguy

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Re: hot cocoa
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2010, 06:25:20 am »
I added about 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to the boil in a dark ale. Never could tell it was chocolate, but there was a "richness" to it. Very drinkable. That batch went quickly.
I was thinking of adding a little cocoa powder to the boil in a raspberry-wheat beer.  Maybe with orange peel. 
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