Mexican chocolate vs ?

[hrk]

I am interested in making a mexican chocolate strussel cake from Rick Bayless and it calls for Mexican chocolate.
Does anyone know if using just plain old milk chocolate will really make that much of a difference?
If so does anyone know where I can find Mexican chocolate online since we don't have it in any grocery stores around here?
TIA for all the help
Heather

[badunnin]

Mexican chocolate is (in my feeble non-professional description) a very dark chocolate with sugar and cinnamon. Milk chocolate would be quite a bit different IMHO. Try Cost Plus World Market if you have one around you, or online at www.mexicangrocer.com

[badunnin]

OK, I posted that link before I checked to see if they have it. They don't. Looking for another link. Back in a minute.

Back... try www.mexgrocer.com - it can be found under "beverages" - brands are Ibarra and Abuelita (the later found under Nestle)

[RebeccaT]

Well, Mexican chocolate has a slight cinnamon flavor, so I guess you could just use milk chocolate and add some additional cinnamon in a pinch, but I am not sure since Mexican chocolate really has a different texture.

Do any of your local groceries have a Mexican/Central American section? I would imagine that you would find it there, as opposed to the baking section.

If you can't find it there, try this link:
http://store.yahoo.com/mex-grocer/2544.html

[Leisa M]

I used google and found these:

http://www.zchocolat.com/default.asp?zid=google&zmid=kw-buychocolate

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/mexicanchocolate.htm

[valchemist]

I have made the mexican chocolate streusel cake and I think you definitely need real mexican chocolate. It has a much different texture and taste than regular chocolate. I bought mine online and it was worth it! It is difficult to chop up. You will need a big sharp knife or, better yet, a chocolate chipper like this one I bought a while back.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00005NUVX.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

[valchemist]

heather, did you see my review of the cake on this thread?

http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27455&highlight=mexican+streusel

[Lys]

Just another resounding endorsement for this cake - it is amazing!! A very nice treat - definitely not something that you can eat often!! The Mexican chocolate definitely makes a big difference (in my opinion) - the texture and the taste are far different than a standard milk chocolate. I have found Ibarra Mexican Chocolate at Whole Foods before.... or maybe a Trader Joe's? I also think that Rick Bayless gives some places in the book that do online sales of specialty products. Good luck!

[hrk]

Originally posted by valchemist
heather, did you see my review of the cake on this thread?

http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27455&highlight=mexican+streusel
Val,
I did see your thread on this cake and hope it turns out as well for me as it did for you as I am making it for a holiday party at our house and surely would like it to impress these people.
That chocolate chipper looks great, but I think I will try it with the knife as explained in the link.

To everyone who provided sources for mexican chocolate thank you very much. I will let you all know how it turns out.
Heather