Tablea, Batirol and Tsokolatera, the Chocolate Pot
Posted by Noemi | Under Equipment with 3,009 views
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Monday Dec 22, 2008
The last time I used a batirol was in my parents’ house in Cebu when I was still in college. A batirol is a wooden whisk used to mix tablea (a block of pure cocoa) and water into a thick, grainy, hot chocolate drink. In fact, the Bisaya word for “to whisk” is “batil”, which is probably a derivative of batirol. For a truly rich drink, we use one cup of water (225 ml) per tablea. The tablea and water are mixed in a cast-iron pitcher called a tsokolatera. Like a kawali or wok, a tsokolatera (Chocolatera or Chocolate Pot) performs better as it ages; in fact, the batirol and tsokolatera are supposed to last a lifetime and are often passed down from generation to generation. Keep mixing the hot chocolate with the wooden batirol until the drink is thick enough.
I don’t know whatever happened to my parents’ batirol and tsokolatera, but I never saw it again after college. I’ve been looking for my own batirol for the longest time because the hot tsokolate we serve for noche buena doesn’t taste as earthy and strong as tsokolate whisked using a batirol. The last time I saw a batirol for sale was at Glorietta several years ago; it only cost 900 pesos but I’m not sure why I didn’t jump at the chance to buy it. This year, however, I grabbed at the opportunity to buy my own batirol and tsokolatera.
At the NBC Tent bazaar yesterday, I chanced upon a booth called Farm in Deli that sold tsokolateras and batirols for P1,350 – a little expensive, but worth the price considering that they’re very difficult to find. The batirol and tsokolatera also came with a pack of tablea. According to the woman behind Farm in Deli, she had the batirols and tsokolateras custom-made in Cagayan, and that hers is still good as new after ten years of constant use. I am looking forward to making real hot tsokolate with my new batirol and tsokolatera this coming Christmas eve!
Where to Buy Batirol and Chocolatera (Chocolate Pot)
Farm in Deli
Contact (632)850-8000 or (63)-916-514-4245
i’m a cebuana & i love tsokolate (sikwati in visayan). may i suggest substituting water with coconut milk/gate for a richer and fuller tsokolate, something i picked up from my waray mother. hope you would enjoy this recipe as much as i love it. btw, the batirol & tsokolatera you purchased is way too expensive. i know some wet market sell these things, but i’m not sure if they are available in manila. oh well, raising my cup of tsokolate to you & your family, hope you have a blessed 2009 =)
I’d like to thank you for your article about the tsokolatera. Because of you I have gotten a lot of inquiries regarding my products. I hope you enjoyed your hot cup of Tsokolate Eh!this Christmas season. For a thicker and creamier drink, may I suggest cooking 2-3 balls/tablea of tsokolate in a cup of evaporated milk (alpine is the best). For best results, always cook using a tsokolatera. You won’t be disappointed.
Many thanks again!
Cynthia Torres
Farm N’ Deli
hi…i just want to know where i can buy the tsokolatera?
where can i buy your products here in manila?
here in Batangas City especially in Tingloy and Taysan we sell or we harvest cocoa and make the famous Tableang tsokolate try to visit our country and you’ll taste the famous ang moth watery hot choco of the philippines
thank you very much for the article. @cynthia, where can i buy your products here in manila?