Chocolate with churros

Spain was the first country to import cocoa from the Americas to make chocolate, and from here it spread to the rest of Europe. It became popular in the 17th century and it was drunk hot and sweet. It was only with the coming of industrialization in the early 19th century that it was produced in solid form. The mancerina is a special dish for serving chocolate, which has a central well for holding the jícara, or chocolate cup. It owes its name to the Marquis of Mancera, Viceroy of Peru, who had it made to offer chocolate to his visitors. To accompany the chocolate it is usual to provide slices of sweet bread, biscuit or churros. The churro is a product which is highly typical of Spain, although it exists in several other countries. It is a deep-fried doughy confection which is extruded from a star-shaped nozzle, giving it a characteristic striated shape which improves frying.