Xocolatl House

The tradition of the Rosca de Reyes is a custom of Spanish origin, which has come to Mexico to be adopted as one of the most emblematic traditions, marking the end of the Christmas season. Also referred to as the Epiphany, this day commemorates the arrival of the Three Kings to Bethlehem.

“Rosca de Reyes” means “Wreath of Kings,” and it is a sweet bread enjoyed by many on this day. At first, the shape of this bread represented a cycle; now its circular shape refers to a crown. Its decorations consist of crystallized or caramelized fruits, and they resemble the jewels of the crown.

Inside the bread hides one or several figurines representing the baby Jesus. Whoever finds it when cutting the emblematic rosca must invite all the attendees to eat tamales on February 2nd (Candlemas). According to tradition, this generates abundance and blessings for the person who has found the figurine.
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Seguimos trabajando por un cacao sustentable

Xocolatl House is excited to see you this holiday season! We will be participating in a number of fun-filled events all over our beautiful community of San Diego.

Have a nice cup of Mexican hot chocolate while shopping, or pick up one of our packaged products for an unforgettable gift.

See the list below for a market near you, and say hello. Thank you for these amazing events, and thank you to our customers for supporting our small business!

Saturday, 12/2 – Sunday, 12/3
Makers Arcade Holiday Market
10 AM – 5 PM

Thursday 12/7
Carnitas' Snack Shack Holiday Market
5 PM – 8 PM

Sunday 12/10
Holiday Market at Rancho Guejito Vineyard
11 AM – 4 PM

Sunday 12/17 (2 locations)
- Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market
9:30 AM – 2 PM
- Downtown Chula Vista Farmers’ Market
10 AM – 2 PM

Sunday 12/31
Downtown Chula Vista Farmers’ Market
10 AM – 2 PM
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Thank you Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market for supporting our small business.

Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market Fresh News 11-17-2023 - Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market Come enjoy a beautiful Sunday with us at the Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market! The sun will be shining and there will be tons of fresh produce, delicious food

Dia de los Mu***os, or Day of the Dead, is a very special time in Mexico as well as other Latin American countries. It takes place over a few days where we see people come together to celebrate the lives of their ancestors.

Aztecs had been celebrating a festival by the same name long before Spanish conquest. The spiritual holiday was originally intended to celebrate the Lady of the Dead, Mictēcacihuātl, Queen of Mictlān the underworld. Aztecs believed it was her job to watch over the bones of past lives. These bones were believed to be used to create new life in the land of the living.

Mictēcacihuātl always looked after the bones, even after they had been stolen and brought to the land of the living. Once a year she ascended to the land of the living to make sure the bones were still protected and being cared for. To prepare for her arrival, Aztecs would have celebrations with dance and food to thank her for her protection.

Photo credit in Michoacan, Mexico.
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Look out for Xocolatl House at these upcoming markets!

10/29
Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market
9:30 AM – 2 PM

Downtown Chula Vista Farmers’ Market
10 AM – 2 PM

11/5
Makers & Shakers Holiday Market
11 AM – 4 PM

Downtown Chula Vista Farmers’ Market
10 AM – 2 PM

11/12
Downtown Chula Vista Farmers’ Market
10 AM – 2 PM

11/19
Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market
9:30 AM – 2 PM

Downtown Chula Vista Farmers’ Market
10 AM – 2 PM

Thank you
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During Dia de los Mu***os, or Day of the Dead, people remember their loved ones who have passed. One of the ways people honor them is through making an ofrenda, or altar.

Ofrendas typically contain four elements: earth, water, wind, and fire. Earth is represented by the food that is placed on the altar, especially bread. Water is set on the altar to provide the spirits with drink when they arrive. Wind is shown through decorating the altar with papel picado, or colorful paper banners. Fire is used in candles to provide direction to the spirits for them to find their altar.

Below is a list of common objects you may find on an ofrenda:

Incense
Candles
Marigolds
Papel picado
Sugar skulls
Pan de Mu**to
Religious symbols
Painted figurines and toys
Favorite food and drink
Photos and personal items

Some ofrendas may be placed on a flat surface, while others have several levels. The most common representation of this type of ofrenda would have three levels, signifying heaven, earth, and the underworld.

Mexican traditions around this time of year include the enjoyment of pan dulce, or sweet bread, with a nice cup of Mexican hot chocolate. You will find that delicious cup of cacao from more recent traditions today to traditions further back in Mexico’s history.
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Autumn is in full swing, and Xocolatl House is looking forward to seeing you all out and about this season!

As we approach the holidays, we want to wish you a season full of happiness, health, tradition, and good drinks. A cup of cacao will fit in nicely into your daily fall routine.

Keep an eye out for us at our usual markets and check our upcoming post about future events!
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We're so proud of our cacao producers La Campesina Oficial! Their traditional kitchen is one of the three most recommended in Tabasco, Mexico, along the Route of Cacao. This wonderful recognition helps them grow - if you're ever in Tabasco, go visit their beautiful hacienda!

Ruta del Cacao al Chocolate: Haciendas La Campesina y De la Luz Ruta del Cacao al Chocolate: te presentamos la dos últimas paradas, Hacienda La Campesina y Hacienda de la Luz.

We're so excited to start at these upcoming events! Check us out at the following locations – we hope to see you all there!

Second Sunday Market at Sea Hive
10/8

Downtown Chula Vista Farmers’ Market
10/8 & 10/15

Cota Vera 5K Family Fun Run
10/14

Chula Vista Fire Department’s 2023 Open House
10/14

Rancho Santa Fe Farmers Market
10/15

Thank you &
Eastlake Food to go!

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This beautiful southern region of Mexico is where our cacao comes from. The state of Tabasco is bordered by Veracruz to the west, Campeche to the east, and Chiapas to the south as well as part of Guatemala to the southeast. Its northern side sits on the Gulf of Mexico.

Tabasco hosts an abundance of vegetation and wildlife. Most of the state is covered in rainforest, unlike other parts of Mexico, so it boasts full rivers and lakes year-round.

The state is also home to a major site of the Olmec civilization called La Venta. It is considered to be the origin of later Mesoamerican cultures. The Olmec civilization thrived 3,000 years ago in what is now Tabasco, reaching a height around 800 BC. It was the oldest Mesoamerican culture, dominating the present-day states of Mexico, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and Tabasco along with other parts of Central America.
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Xocolatl House is here in sunny San Diego to offer you the most authentic Mexican experience!

*Native Americans, such as the Kumeyaay people, had been living in the San Diego area for as long as 12,000 years prior to European exploration.

*In 1542, Spanish pioneer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo arrived at San Diego Bay, approximately 200 years before other Europeans settled here.

*In 1769, a fort and mission were established, which gradually grew into an official settlement under Spanish, then Mexican rule.

*In 1848, San Diego officially became part of the U.S. The town was named the county seat of San Diego County when California was granted statehood in 1850.

*San Diego is now the second most populous city in California at about 1.38 million, following Los Angeles at around 3.82 million.

*Among the top industries in San Diego are Military, Tourism, International Trade, Manufacturing, and Technology.

*As a top U.S. travel destination, San Diego hosts about 28.8 million visitors each year.

Meet us at the edge of the earth here in San Diego – we look forward to hearing from you!
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Make your own tasty gelato with our Cacao Powder for a delicious treat!

Recipe for Cacao Gelato:

- In medium saucepan, combine 1/2 c Xocolatl House Cacao Powder and 3/8 c sugar and mix.
- Add 1 c whole milk and whisk until combined.
- Heat milk mixture until it simmers, or just below boiling.
- In a bowl, whisk 3 egg yolks and 3/8 c sugar together until light and fluffy.
- When cacao and milk mixture is ready, slowly pour into egg mixture in the bowl.
- Whisk until smooth.
- Pour entire mixture back into saucepan, scraping bowl clean with spatula.
- Sprinkle a few grains of salt into saucepan and stir with wooden spoon.
- Heat at medium-low temperature for about 5 minutes and stir frequently.
- Mixture will be thick when finished.
- Temperature should be about 185 degrees to ensure eggs are pasteurized.
- Slowly add 1 c heavy whipping cream and whisk until well combined.
- Pour into freezing container and follow manufacturer’s ice cream or gelato machine’s directions.

Thank you to our customer from Utah for sharing her recipe with us!

Tag us with a favorite recipe that uses your favorite cacao!
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Meet Rosa Morales, one of our cacao producers.

Rosa Morales Perez is 49 years old, and she was born in Comalcalco, Tabasco. Her family has been growing cacao for three generations. Her parents taught her how to plant and harvest cacao. Her three siblings also have helped in taking care of the cacao tree.

Rosa is part of La Cooperativa de Embajadores de Cacao (Cacao Ambassadors Cooperative) as well as La Cocina Tradicional de la Hacienda “La Campesina Oficial” (The Farm’s Traditional Kitchen “The Official Farmer”).

She is a master cook, she has a great love for Tabascan cuisine, and she loves making corn tortillas by hand. Her work is very important, and thanks to her love of cooking and cacao, we can enjoy her products today.
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Cacao has many benefits that maintain a healthy body. Consuming cacao is known to contain antioxidants, provide energy, reduce inflammation, boost immune system, and lower blood pressure, among other benefits.

Cacao contains more phenolic antioxidants than most foods, and it is particularly rich in flavonoids. These nutrients have been shown to help lower blood pressure, improve blood flow, and prevent blood clots.

Cacao is a great source of magnesium which helps increase energy levels.

Cacao is packed with potassium, which has been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease by reducing inflammation and stress.
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Thank you to everyone who invited us to your events over the last few days. We are grateful to meet such inspiring people as we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in true Hispanic fashion.

Congratulations to for publishing their 50th issue!

Congratulations to for their Fall 2023 Edition Launch!

Thank you for supporting small businesses like us.
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This early legend comes from the story of how the god Quetzalcoatl gave the Toltecs precious cacao. Quetzalcoatl, one of the major deities in Aztec culture, stole the cacao tree from paradise, where all other gods lived.

After Quetzalcoatl planted the tree in Tula, Mexico, he asked the god of rain, Tlaloc, to send water for the tree to grow and the goddess of vegetation and fertility, Xochiquetzal, to maintain it.

Quetzalcoatl taught the Toltec women how to pick, roast, and grind the cacao beans. They ground the beans into a powder and prepared it with water, creating in the drink xocolatl.
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Happy Mexican Independence Day!

Mexico declared its independence from Spain around 2:30am September 16, 1810. 213 years later, Mexican families continue to celebrate with an abundance of food, song, dance, and drink. Typical dishes prepared for this day depend on the region in which the festivities take place. Some examples of food are pozole, quesadillas, birria, tacos, and tostadas.

Families gather on the night of September 15th to begin the celebration with dinner. After eating, they watch El Grito (the call for independence) performed by the president in the public square of Mexico City.

Fun Fact: Cinco de Mayo, not to be confused with Mexico’s independence, celebrates Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

Viva México! Long live Mexico!
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Xocolatl
(Choh-koh-𝗹𝗮-tl)

Chocolhaa
(Choh-kohl-𝗵𝗮𝗵)

Aztecs and Mayans, along with other civilizations, treasured the cacao drink. It was part of their respective cultures so much so that they give it a name.

We hope you will enjoy our drinks with its rich taste and history!
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Uxmal (oosh-𝗺𝗮𝗵𝗹) is an ancient Maya city on the Yucután peninsula of Mexico. It is considered one the most important archaeological sites of Maya culture, along with Chichen Itza, Palenque, and Calakmul.

This photo captures the Pyramid of the Magician, which is the central attraction of the Maya ruin complex. The name of this pyramid comes from a 19th century legend where a magician-dwarf constructed the pyramid in one night.

This pyramid was erected between 700 and 1000 AD, consisting of five constructive phases. The one we see today, from the latest phase, was built around 900-1000 AD. Its height reaches 115 feet (35 meters) with the base measuring about 227 by 162 feet (69 by 49 meters). The building was decorated with stone masks of the rain god Chaac, which was typical of the Puuc architectural style of Yucután.

The Pyramid of the Magician may have been used for religious ceremonies, as it was situated so that its western stairway faces the setting sun at the summer solstice. During ceremonies, worshipers would climb the stairs (also called the Stairways of the Gods) towards the altar in the upper temple.
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Molinillo & Jicara
(Moh-lee-𝗻𝗲𝗲-yoh) & (𝗛𝗲𝗲-kah-rah)

The molinillo and jicara are two fascinating tools that were created to prepare and serve cacao drinks in pre-Columbian Mexico.

The molinillo is a handcrafted wooden mixer that helps combine ingredients, especially for hot cacao drinks on the stove. It is used similarly to a whisk or milk frother. The jicara, also a handmade product, is bowl that holds the cacao drink. It comes with an aro, a ring made of palm, so that the bowl can stay on a flat surface.

How the product is prepared:
The molinillo is usually made of alder wood. The dark, elaborate designs are burned into the product during its construction. The jicara comes from a fruit tree with the same name. The fruit is harvested, dried, processed and cut.

These two handmade products come from Mexican craftsmen who collaborate with Xocolatl House. Reach out to us when you would like to buy any of our products!
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Ceremonial Cacao – the spiritual drink

Ancient civilizations such as Mayans and Aztecs used cacao as an essential part of rituals and ceremonies. Mayans believed cacao to be sacred and have medicinal properties.

In this premium product, the cacao beans’ skins are left on and roasted over firewood. That is why this powder has a smoky taste. Ceremonial Cacao also has more energetic properties than our other cacao powders due to this preparation process.

Ideas to use Ceremonial Cacao:
Hot/cold with water/milk/alternative
May be used for spiritual or holistic practices

How the product is prepared:
Harvest, clean, wash, dry, slow roast by firewood, crush, grind, liquor press, and coarse grind

We made it to the end of our debut – contact us to get your own package of Mexican cacao!
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Glazed Cacao Nibs – the healthy snack

Glazed cacao nibs are crushed cacao beans that are mixed with pure brown sugar cane. Raw cacao nibs are very nutritious, full of antioxidants, and considered a superfood. They are also bitter, so that’s why we added Mexican brown sugar to lightly sweeten the nibs.

Ideas to use Glazed Cacao Nibs:
Mix with granola/granola bars
Use as a topping for yogurt/ice cream
Eat as its own snack

How the product is prepared:
Harvest, clean, wash, dry, roast, peel, crush, and glaze

We’ve seen many delicious uses for our cacao. Wait and see our last product!
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Xoco Maize – the warrior drink

This type of cacao powder was inspired by the Aztec civilization. Cacao drinks with toasted, ground corn would be consumed among Aztec warriors and the noble class. Because of the combination of cacao and corn, these drinks would satiate people for longer periods as well as provide energy, compared to other drinks.

Xoco Maize is a unique cacao powder that is known only in some parts of Mexico. Allow this special drink to take you to pre-Columbian Mexico with the Aztecs, where these drinks were experienced. You will feel the energizing properties that come with Xoco Maize.

Ideas to use Xoco Maize:
Atole
Iced chocolate with water
Hot chocolate with milk

How the cacao bean is prepared:
Harvest, clean, wash, dry, roast, peel, crush, grind, liquor press, and coarse grind

It keeps getting better as we debut our unique Mexican products!
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