| Abuelita | |
| Markets: | Mexico |
| Previousowners: | La Azteca |
Abuelita is a Mexican-style hot chocolate also known as chocolate para mesa (English: "table chocolate") owned by the Nestlé company.[1] It was originally invented and commercialized in Mexico in 1939,[2] by Fábrica de Chocolates La Azteca.[3] The name is an affectionate Spanish word for "grandma" (literally translated as "little grandmother" or "granny"). Since 1973, Mexican actress Sara García has been the image for the brand,[4] It is now produced and sold in chocolate tablets, syrup, or individual packets of powdered mix.
The Abuelita product ingredients (in order of percentage): sugar, chocolate processed with alkali, soy lecithin, vegetable oils (palm, shea nut and/or illipe nut), artificial cinnamon flavor, PGPR (an emulsifier).[5] The Abuelita Hot Chocolate has been a Mexican staple product since 1939 and can be identified by its unique taste and packaging.
One suggested method for preparing Abuelita is to bring a saucepan of milk (not water) to a boil, then add the tablet of chocolate and stir continuously with a whisk or molinillo (a whisk-like wooden stirring spoon native to Meso America). This action is done until it has reached a melted and bubbly or creamy. The drink is served hot or chilled to mix with alcoholic beverages.
Abuelita is often prepared for special occasions,[6] such as Day of the Dead (a holiday in which people remember their family and friends whose spirits departed to the afterlife) and Las Posadas[7] (Christmas season).