Mexican Chocolate

[queenscook]

Does anyone know if any brand of Mexican chocolate is kosher (with a traditionally reliable hechsher) and if so, where some might be obtained in the New York area? I'd particularly like to be able to get some in Queens, if possible.

[mrotmd]

Check this link... as for NYC availability, I don't know :)
http://www.kosher.com.mx/kosher.php
Good luck!

[kirinraj]

Moctezuma (From Uruapan) brand chocolate says that it is Kosher on the box. But I don't live in New York so I don't know where you would get it.

[mrotmd]

I just received a present.... "Kahlua Kosher Liquor Filled Chocolates" made in Mexico. The Hechsher is KMD Mexico - Kosher lacteo (non-Chalav Ysroel). A present from a Chabad Rabbi.
Mexico is one of the craddles of chocolate as Aztecs called xocolātl meaning bitter water. Legend suggests thet the sweetening happened by accident.
By the way, Does anyone knows if their premium brand "El Rey" is Kosher?

[mexicanjl]

Many Mexican products are certified but still don't have a written hecksher on the label. Last time I was at the kosher store in Mexico City (December 2007) they were selling Mexican Chocolate "Moctezuma" brand. Note that this is the Kosher store of the Ashkenazi Community in Mexico who gives the VK-aleph-aleph certification. To see/buy this brand or chocolate check the following link:

http://www.mexgrocer.com/10066.html

Good luck !!

[starkoch]

I use Nestle's product Abuelita Mexican Chocolate. That's the brand most Mexicans in my area use. There are no kosher symbols on the packaging.
List of ingredients are
sugar, chocolate processed with alkali, soy lecithin, vegetable oils (palm, shea nut and or illipe (?) nut) artificial flavor PGPR (emulsifier) then in bold lettering is Made on equipment that also processes milk.
There is also the Mexican product Ibarra Mexican Chocolate which seems not to be the preferred brand.
Both are available here http://www.mexgrocer.com/2544.html
I do believe if the recipe calls for it, or if you want a fantastic cup of hot chocolate you should use these before plain ol' chocolate.

koko
www.kokoscorner.typepad.com

[Marcharlan]

None of the brands openly bear hasgacha, but that is not a surprise. It seems that there is a trend in Mexico not to bear the marks openly. I tried to look at the KMD website to research this issue, but since my spanish is spotty, I could not tell which of the catagories would apply to the Mexican chocolate for hot chocolate. http://www.kosher.com.mx/

If you find one, let us know.

[LI Guy]

When I was in Mexico I found various chocolates that bore the aleph-aleph hashgacha, including chocolates made by Kahlua. Unfortunately I don't remember any other brand names, but it does definitely exist.

[queenscook]

I posted this right before Shabbos when many might have missed it, and now it's moved down the list with no answers. Just wondering if anyone had any leads.

[koshergourmetmart]

what is mexican chocolate?

[queenscook]

From the site GourmetSleuth.com:
Mexican chocolate is made from dark, bitter chocolate mixed with sugar, cinnamon, and sometimes nuts. The end result is a "grainy" less smooth product. Chocolate is frequently purchased in "disks" although it is also available in bars and syrups.
According to the reviews on the Epicurious site for a cake I want to make, it just won't be the same if I only use regular chocolate. Of course, if there's no kosher version, I'll give it a shot with regular--or not make it at all--but I just thought someone here might know.