crochet chocolate† It’s been doing it for three thousand years, when the Olmec tribes of Mesoamerica started consuming it as a drink. Later, the Maya used it as currency and moved to the Aztec Empire, where they arrived in Europe after the conquest of the Americas. Their great social acceptance It arrived when it was sweetened with cane sugar in the 17th century and little by little its consumption spread in Asian countries. Cocoa production would settle in Africa, as it can only be grown in some regions with a tropical climate, such as the Ivory Coast. However, the liquid state did not solidify until the technique succeeded in converting it into the chocolates and pralines that we know today.
This happened a little over a century ago and ever since chocolate has become an essential ingredient in every dessert menu† In addition to the delicious taste and the great result obtained in combination with other foods – both sweet and salty, and even meat – chocolate also has numerous health benefits†
As long as it is consumed in moderation and in its purest version, chocolate helps lower blood pressure and thus to prevent cardiovascular disease. Also stimulates the production of serotonin, known as the ‘happiness hormone’, which helps to relax the body and mind and ensures a good night’s sleep. In the same way, cocoa is a commonly used ingredient in cosmetics for their antioxidant properties that protect the skin from external aggressions such as pollution and excessive UVA rays. We find it not only in creams, scrubs, soaps, masks or body oils, but also in hair removal strips and make-up products such as bronzing powders, eyeshadow palettes and eyeliners. Among its many benefits, chocolate is also known as: eat aphrodisiacthat is, it has the necessary properties – such as phenylalanine and theobromine, which help fight fatigue – to increase sexual desire and pleasure. Therefore, there are no excuses to enjoy this pleasure of the gods and enjoy the many gastronomic proposals in which it is the absolute protagonist.
Madrid is home to some of the country’s most legendary pastry chefs such as Bombonería La Pajarita, the artisanal pastry shop La Duquesita or the pastry shop El Riojano, which has been selling sweets since 1855 – there are many who claim that the chocolate palm is the best in the capital – at number 10 on Calle Mayor.
For all these reasons, we can’t think of a better way to international cocoa day then visit some of the best chocolate addresses in Madrid. We expect the hardest part of this plan will be choosing between the chocolates, pastries, pies and desserts proposals. Take advantage!
†Layers of suspiro and chocolate moussee”, that’s how they define their sweet star of this cafeteria and pastry shop with the most addictive cakes in Madrid, the work of the Portuguese pastry chef Carlos Braz Lopes. It is to try and be speechless.
- Where is it? Alcalá Street, 89.
The oldest chocolate and sweet shop in Madrid It gets the name from one of his most emblematic candies: chocolate butterfly ties. Essential and experienced since 1852.
- Where is it? Villanueva Street, 14.
Is artisan pastry He has been making some of the best sweets in Madrid since 1914. That is, more than a century of experience behind him, which he now continues Oriol Balaguer, with a wide range of bonbons and chocolates. The crunchy, chocolate-covered palm trees are addictive.
- Where is it? Ferdinand VI Street, 2.
Pieces of pastries, desserts, gourmet treats, macarons† Ricardo Velez has set itself the goal of making the world a sweeter place by putting all its knowledge about chocolate and pastries at the service of its customers. If candy is your thing, don’t miss it. Ricardo Velez’s pastry chefthe creative school and ‘pop-up’ shop where you can taste exclusive chocolates.
- Where are they? Moulin Chocolat is located at Calle Alcalá, 77 and The Patissier by Ricardo Vélez at Calle Columela, 9.
Is signature pastry – from Juan Manuel D’Alesandrozin particular – he has his workshop in sight and there he makes confectionery inherited from his French ancestors, including his chocolate cake and black beer (in the photo), their cookies of three chocolates and hazelnuts or his white chocolate, pistachio and peta zetas tartlet.
- Where is it? San Pedro Street, 9.
This artisan pastry combines Argentinian and Spanish flavors through candy made with natural ingredients. Their proposals include chocolate in a thousand different ways, and they also make it by hand in their workshop, combined with surprising fillings.
- Where is it? Ortega y Gasset Street, 87.
This artisanal pastry shop in Madrid is mainly characterized by the traditional sweets and for his delicious chocolate proposals such as cookiesare stuffed fritters, the black forest cake or the chocolate chips with dried fruit.
- Where is it? In Madrid there are several Horno San Onofre pastry shops. Note: San Onofre Street, 3; Hernani Street, 7; in the Mercado de San Miguel and in Calle Hortaleza, 9.
For choco addicts, Oriol Balaguer’s chocolate shops are the closest to a temple. Is he maker of one of the best desserts in the world, 8 chocolate textures (2001) and in 2008 he was considered the best confectioner in Spain. Sweet gastronomy is his thing and creating new delights (like frozen truffles of the image) convinces even the most demanding gourmets.
- Where is it? José Ortega y Gasset Street, 44.
The purpose of this shop is: spread the cocoa culture and convey the passion for this legendary food. What can you find in Cocoa Sampaka? Chocolate in all possible variants: pralines, bars, cups, spreadable creams, very surprising mixtures,…
- Where is it? Orellana Street, 4.
Its specialty is the Russian cake, the original recipe of which is still a secret of the bakery that has nothing to do with chocolate, but one of the most outstanding sweets is also the Citrus (in the picture) – chocolate biscuit with orange and lemon cream -, the Guanaja bread – very light chocolate biscuit – and its chocolate bars with seven different recipes.
- Where is it? Zurbano Street, 25.
Source: Marie Claire
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