Castizo and delicious
Chocolate with churros in Madrid is a icon of the city, a marriage as perfect as the bear and the strawberry tree. We look for the secret of this wonderful pairing and we find it in three places that keep many surprises...
MMM...
SAN GINÉS: THE MANDATORY STOP
One of the most emblematic enclaves of chocolate with churros in Madrid is, without a doubt, ** San Ginés **. Since 1894 has been serving these delicacies on its perennial marble tables, served by impeccably dressed waiters. It is famous for being the ideal place to chocolate after the theater , as well as for his stellar appearance in bohemian lights, of Valle-Inclan.
The establishment became known as "The hidden one" for its location in the San Ginés passageway, right next to the famous Joy Eslava nightclub. However, nowadays it is quite an institution, especially in New Year's, so find a place it is sometimes so complicated that many throw in the towel.
Perhaps it is because San Ginés chocolate has already seen a lot of history, but little of its own. In fact, the recipe for their chocolate with churros is based on their own elaboration with a lot of secret and a lot of crafts. And it is that a century of making their own churros every day, without interruption, gives a lot of itself. The result is a crispy and golden product , which is immersed in a smooth and explosive liquid.
an entire institution
VALUE: THE CHOCOLATE SHOP FOR GOURMETS
If San Ginés transports us to other times, chocolate shops like those in Worth they take us to a universe of whims . These master chocolatiers, who have been since 1881, keep intact their original recipes to serve the best hot chocolate, made from the brand's cocoa blend, which gives them a unique bouquet. In addition, they use raw materials of the highest quality, and its chocolate makers are specially designed to control the production process at a stable temperature at all times.
Pedro López, CEO of Chocolates Valor, tells us a little more: "We are convinced that our success is based on the quality and in the flavor that characterizes us, and it all begins by selecting the best cocoa beans and carefully take care of its toasting to obtain the best product”.
Such is the success of its chocolate that its transportable containers and cups are often about to run out in establishments, because making it possible for us to enjoy a good chocolate wherever we want is another of the great successes of the brand.
The fascinating thing about Valor is that it is the epicenter of all sins for lovers of sweets. Thus, its chocolate shops also have candy stores where you can find all kinds of chocolates, including its range to make this product by the cup. Also. They even advise you on the best way to prepare it at home. And, according to López, it is perfect for the whole year.
“Our chocolate shops are committed to seasonally adjust consumption and they include delicious proposals in their menus to taste cold chocolates , chocolate ice creams and even chocolate granitas”, he tells us. Come on, a wonderful delirium. We bought it.
A universe of whims
THE BEST CHEERS IN MADRID ARE IN ALCORCÓN
Yes, we can assure you with force. And it is that in the Alcorcon churros (Los Pinos, 38. Alcorcón) have come up with the formula for perfect baton , causing an authentic pilgrimage to the town in the southwest of Madrid among lovers of this traditional delicatessen.
Raquel and Javier are a young married couple who in 2009 saw how the economic crisis threw them an ordeal. They had both worked in Madrid in various churrerías and, when they lost their jobs, they decided to jump into the pool, mortgage their house, get into debt up to the teeth and open a small premises of just 40 square meters.
the perfect baton
They looked for help in the world of churros, until they decided to find your own formula . “For months we were visiting many great churros of the capital, but everything that surrounded us was very secret, so we locked ourselves in the premises for three months before opening, until we found the the ideal recipe . We threw away more than 300 kilos of flour, but the effort was worth it”, narrates, excited, Javier.
The result of their search has forced them to expand the premises to twice its size. The mass of the baton is made by hand and at the moment, in a process completely handmade. Water, flour, salt and bicarbonate are part of its secret recipe. “When the relative humidity changes, the formula changes. Environmental impact is vital , that's why we have to observe the behavior of the flour”, assures Raquel, reminding us of the modus operandi of the Betanzos omelette by Carmen Carro, at the Pedraza Tavern.
For a baton to be perfect, at the Churrería de Alcorcón they take care not only of change the oils every week, but clean all machinery conscientiously, to prevent the product from becoming denatured. The use of high oleic oil, the Castilian flour and a lot of dedication are the keys to making their cheers so spectacular. Raquel is clear about it: “A baton must be fluffy and crispy outside inside. It's like meat on a spit." With that statement alone we have loved altogether.
A breakfast with thousands of years of history
DID YOU KNOW…?
- Despite the thousand recipes you can find, the traditional churro recipe comprises only three ingredients: water, flour and salt.
- Hot chocolate has many beneficial properties for health. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant , is perfect for the proper functioning of the arteries and its sensation of pleasure acts as an anxiolytic.
- Probably, Seville be the town with the most variety of churros to its credit.
- San Ginés opened a store in Madrid's Plaza de Prosperidad, but his most surprising openings were in Tokyo, Bogota and Shanghai.
- Do you want to eat churros shaped like a laser sword? starwars ? Well, at Disneyland they sold them "like churros" since they came out in May at Tomorrowland. And on instagram they have hit it.
- Those who know the most, our elders, recommend not to dip the churro too much in the chocolate. We would lose much of the flavor of this first.
- Casa Manolo (Jovellanos, 7) is famous in Madrid for its round churros and because it is easy to find A politician at the next table.
- Hot chocolate was a drink that, it is believed, was already consumed by Mayans more than 2000 years ago. From the Mayans it passed to the Aztecs, and from there, to Europe, becoming a concoction that became very fashionable among the wealthiest in the 17th century.
- We have tried the marble biscuits of the Churrería de Alcorcón and we still haven't recovered from the shock.
Now you'll have to run to order some churros with chocolate!