ASK ABUELITA™: IS ABUELITA HOT CHOCOLATE GLUTEN FREE

Yes. For the best quality, enjoy all ABUELITA™ products by the "Best if Used By" date printed on the package and store them in a cool, dry, odorless place.

It depends on your format, and each takes just a few minutes. Tablets: melt 1 tablet in 4 cups of milk over medium heat, whisking until fully dissolved and frothy. Marqueta: add half a Marqueta bar to 4 cups of hot milk and whisk. Granulated Mix: dissolve 1½ heaping tablespoons in 1 cup of hot milk. Instant: dissolve 1 envelope in 1 mug of hot water. For the traditional frothy finish, keep whisking as the chocolate melts — or roll a molinillo between your palms. See step-by-step instructions for every format.

Usually it is a matter of heat and patience. ABUELITA™ tablets are designed to dissolve in hot or boiling milk, or a non-dairy alternative — not warm or cold liquid. Break the tablet into pieces, bring the milk to a gentle simmer over medium heat, and whisk continuously until it melts and turns frothy. You may still see small flecks of chocolate on the surface, and a slightly grainy texture is normal. That rustic body is part of the authentic appeal of Mexican-style hot chocolate, not a sign anything has gone wrong. See full instructions by format.

Yes, ABUELITA™ Chocolate Syrup has been discontinued and is no longer in production. It has not been banned or recalled — it simply is no longer part of our range, so any bottles still listed by third-party sellers are remaining stock. Our current lineup is Tablets, Marqueta bars, Granulated Mix and Instant Mix. For a pourable option, the Granulated Mix dissolves easily into warm or cold milk.

Two traditional tools define the ritual. The olla de barro is a clay pot used to warm the milk, prized for holding heat gently and evenly. The molinillo is a hand-carved wooden whisk with loose rings; you roll the handle between your palms to churn the chocolate and raise the thick foam that Mexican hot chocolate is known for. Neither is required — a saucepan and a regular whisk work well. See our preparation steps.

ABUELITA™ tablets are not made to be eaten like a candy bar. They are table chocolate — chocolate para mesa — formulated to be melted into hot milk or used as an ingredient in cooking and baking, which is why the texture is firm and grainy rather than smooth. For the taste and texture the recipe was designed around, melt it into a drink or stir it into a dish from our recipe collection.

ABUELITA™ is an authentic Mexican brand, born in Mexico and still made in Mexico. Its origins trace to 1919, when the González Barragán brothers founded Fábrica de Chocolates La Azteca in Orizaba, Veracruz, specializing in hot chocolate. The Chocolate ABUELITA™ brand itself was created in 1939. Nestlé acquired La Azteca in 1995, which is how Mexican-made ABUELITA™ reached households around the world. Our Tablets, Marqueta and Granulated Mix are all produced at the Nestlé Mexico plant in Toluca, Mexico, while Instant Hot Chocolate is made in the U.S. and Canada with globally sourced ingredients. Read our full story.

Abuelita is a Spanish term of endearment for a grandmother, and it literally translates to "little grandmother." It comes from abuela, meaning grandmother, with the affectionate -ita ending that Spanish speakers use to show warmth rather than size. Families across the Spanish-speaking world use it the way English speakers say "granny" or "nana." We chose it because it captures exactly what our hot chocolate is meant to feel like — warmth, family and loving indulgence.

She is Sara García, the beloved Mexican actress known as the grandmother of Mexican cinema. She has graced our packaging for over 40 years, becoming the face of the brand in 1973. More than a portrait, she represents the spirit of ABUELITA™ — warmth, family and loving indulgence, the feeling of being handed a cup of chocolate by someone who loves you. Read more about her and our history.

Imagine hot chocolate and cinnamon toast coming together in one cozy mug. ABUELITA™ delivers rich chocolate flavor, gentle warming spice from our signature cinnamon, and a creamy sweetness that feels like comfort from the first sip. It is sweeter and more aromatic than plain cocoa, and slightly grainier in texture — a hallmark of traditional Mexican table chocolate, not a flaw.

All ABUELITA™ products can be prepared with dairy milk or non-dairy alternatives.

Instant Hot Chocolate ABUELITA™ envelopes can be prepared with water. Tablets, Marqueta and Granulated ABUELITA™ can be prepared with dairy milk or non-dairy alternatives.

After prepared, all ABUELITA™ products should be consumed immediately.

Melt 1 tablet in 4 cups of milk over medium heat. Stir with whisk until the tablet is dissolved and your hot chocolate is deliciously frothy.

Melt 1 tablet in 4 cups of milk over medium heat. Stir with whisk until the tablet is dissolved and your hot chocolate is deliciously frothy.

• Tablets:

  Melt 1 tablet in 4 cups of milk over medium heat. Stir with whisk until the tablet is dissolved and your hot chocolate is deliciously frothy.

• Granulated:

  Dissolve 1½ heaping tablespoons (or one packet) of granulated mix in 1 cup of hot milk and enjoy.

• Marqueta:

  Add ½ a Marqueta Bar to 4 cups of hot milk.

• Instant:

  Dissolve 1 packet of Instant Hot Chocolate Mix in 1 mug of hot water and enjoy.

ABUELITA™ tablets are meant to be dissolved in hot or boiling milk or non-dairy alternatives. However, flecks of chocolate may surface while mixing. This is part of the authentic appeal of Mexican-style hot chocolate.

Instant Hot Chocolate ABUELITA™ envelopes can be prepared with water. Tablets, Marqueta and Granulated ABUELITA™ can be prepared with dairy milk or non-dairy alternatives.

ABUELITA™ tablets are meant to be melted in a saucepan with milk over medium heat until they are dissolved and ready to drink.

Melt 1 tablet in 4 cups of milk over medium heat. Stir with whisk until the tablet is dissolved and your hot chocolate is deliciously frothy.

"Abuelita" is a Spanish term of endearment for grandmothers, which literally translates to "little grandmother". It's used by Spanish-speakers everywhere to affectionately call their grandmas.

ABUELITA™ is an authentic Mexican brand, tracing its origins back to 1919 when the González Barragán brothers founded Fábrica de Chocolates La Azteca in Veracruz, Mexico, specializing in hot chocolate. In 1939, the Chocolate ABUELITA™ brand was born. Nestle acquired La Azteca in 1995, allowing consumers to enjoy Mexican-made ABUELITA™ Tablets and Granulated Mix around the world.

ABUELITA™ Tablets, Granulated and Marqueta are made in the Nestlé Mexico plant in Toluca. ABUELITA™ Instant Hot Chocolate is made in the U.S. and Canada with globally sourced ingredients.

Sara García, known as the grandmother of Mexican cinema, has graced our packaging for over 40 years. She represents the spirit of ABUELITA™—one of warmth, family, and loving indulgence.

Visit our Where to Buy page to find retailers that sell ABUELITA™ products.

Mexican hot chocolate has a different taste than other hot chocolates, as it has a bold chocolate taste and incorporates spices and flavors like cinnamon. Its unique tablet form creates a frothy and rich drinking experience. It is a key part of traditions in Mexican culture, where hot chocolate is consumed alongside sweet breads like conchas or Rosca de Reyes, or with tamales.