Why Mexican-Style Chocolate Works Differently in Recipes
Mexican-style chocolate is stone ground, which gives it a gritty texture and a bold, complex flavor. Unlike smooth, confectionery chocolate, it contains cacao nibs and sugar crystals that don't fully dissolve. This texture is intentional and desirable in traditional recipes like champurrado (a thick, corn-based hot drink) and mole sauces. The chocolate discs from Taza Chocolate are made with organic cacao beans and organic cane sugar, and they come in a range of flavors from 70% Cacao Puro to Guajillo Chili and Cinnamon.
When you use Mexican-style chocolate in recipes, you're not just adding sweetness — you're adding a deep, roasted cacao flavor with subtle spice and graininess. This guide covers how to incorporate it into classic preparations, with emphasis on the Taza Mexican-Style Chocolate Sampler, which includes eight flavors that work well in both sweet and savory dishes.
How to Make Traditional Champurrado with Mexican Chocolate Discs
Champurrado is a thick, warm drink made with masa harina (corn flour) and Mexican chocolate. The stone ground texture of the chocolate discs helps thicken the drink naturally.
- Prepare the base: In a saucepan, combine water or milk with a small amount of masa harina. Whisk until smooth to avoid lumps. Heat gently, stirring frequently.
- Add the chocolate discs: Break one or two Taza Mexican-style chocolate discs into pieces and add them to the warm liquid. Stir until the chocolate is fully melted. The stone ground texture will remain slightly grainy, which is authentic.
- Flavor and serve: Add a pinch of salt and a cinnamon stick (or use the Cinnamon flavor disc). Simmer on low heat until the drink thickens to your liking. Serve warm.
What You Get in the Taza Mexican-Style Chocolate Sampler
- Mexican-Style Chocolate Sampler: Contains 8 x 1.35 oz Chocolate Discs: 70% Cacao Puro, Cinnamon, Coffee, Guajillo Chili, Salted Almond, 70% Sea Salt, 85% Super Dark, and Vanilla. Each flavor brings a different profile to recipes. Cinnamon and Coffee suit champurrado; Guajillo Chili works in savory mole; Vanilla and 70% Cacao Puro are versatile for baking.
Mexican-Style Chocolate Sampler - Mexican-Style Chocolate Sampler: Ingredients: Organic cacao beans, organic cane sugar, organic almonds, organic ground chili, organic cayenne pepper, organic coffee, organic vanilla beans, organic cinnamon, sea salt. The simple organic ingredient list means you know exactly what goes into your recipe. The Salted Almond disc contains almonds, so check for allergens.
- Mexican-Style Chocolate Sampler: Contains almonds. May contain traces of other tree nuts and sesame seeds. If you are cooking for someone with nut allergies, choose a disc without almonds (like 70% Cacao Puro or Cinnamon) and verify the allergen statement.
Using Mexican Chocolate in Savory Dishes: A Simple Mole-Inspired Sauce
Mole is a complex sauce with many ingredients, but you can make a simplified version at home using Mexican chocolate discs. Start by sautéing onions and garlic in oil. Add canned tomatoes, a pinch of cinnamon, and a dried guajillo chili (or use the Guajillo Chili disc). Simmer for a few minutes, then add one or two Taza chocolate discs. Stir until the chocolate melts and blends into the sauce. The stone ground chocolate adds body and a subtle bitterness that balances the acidity of the tomatoes. Season with salt and serve over chicken or enchiladas.
The 85% Super Dark disc works especially well in savory dishes because its low sugar content lets the cacao flavor shine without making the sauce sweet. The Coffee disc can add an unexpected depth to chili or braised meats.
Tips for Cooking with Mexican-Style Chocolate Discs
Because the discs are stone ground, they don't melt as smoothly as conventional chocolate. This is normal and desirable. Stir constantly when melting to prevent scorching. Pair the chocolate with warm (not boiling) liquid to help it dissolve evenly. For drinks, use a whisk or a traditional molinillo (wooden whisk) to create foam. For sauces, let the chocolate simmer gently to allow the flavors to meld.
Store unused discs in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. The sampler pack is a good way to experiment with different flavors before committing to a larger purchase.
