I knew that I wouldn't be able to get to City Bakery before it closed today, so I got up INCREDIBLY early (for me) and went by before work. I was having this really intense dream about being chased by a murderous ex-bf and almost slept through my alarm, which I never, ever do. Usually when I have to get up early, I wake up every hour to check if it's time yet. Only the thought of that sweet chili chocolate kept me going, through an impromptu decision not to shower and running out of soy milk mid-cereal bowl.
I realized today that I've compromised the scientific integrity of this blog by not trying the regular, plain version of City Bakery's hot chocolate before reviewing all the new flavors. If I had done that, I would have realized that their hot chocolate is very..... viscous. It's like a meal replacement drink. Look how much clings to the side when I swirl it around! And this is when it was hot!
I didn't realize how thick it was until I was out of the bakery and into the subway station. I felt rushed having to get to work, and I thought I should take the chocolate somewhere calm and quiet to try it, somewhere I could collect my thoughts. I don't know why I thought the subway during rush hour at Union Square would be the perfect place, but it actually was.
No really, that's the Q train at 9:15 AM on a Tuesday. Where is everyone?
At first sip, the Chili Pepper Hot Chocolate tasted like... hot chocolate. Or, to be more specific, like heated chocolate pudding poured from a cup. I could barely detect any chili pepper at all, and I was disappointed. TONY liked the fact that it was such a faint flavor, but I feel it could have been a little stronger. Maybe it's those years of eating Sichuan food in Shenzhen, but I feel like if you're going to sell a hot chocolate marketed as spicy, then make it spicy! If Hot Tamales and Sprite on Fire! can do it, so can you!
Once I was in Seattle staying at my friend's house, and to say thanks for letting me stay, I decided to make drinks. But at the last minute, jetlag set in (I came straight from China) and I went the lazy route and got a pack of jalapeno lemonade mix at the Crate and Barrel and made it with some vodka. It was so spicy, so acidic, and so strong (I tend to pour a little heavy) that it was like pumping gasoline down my esophagus. But it had punch!
Hot chocolate has the creaminess of the chocolate to temper the spiciness, and I don't think City Bakery put the contrast in flavors to full use. I had to drink a few sips in a row to really taste the heat, and it's nearly impossible to do that with chocolate so thick. I can see the appeal of it because since the spice is barely detectable, the flavor won't put anyone off, but I say go BIG. Make it an experience! Let me taste the FIRE!
