Before mochas took
over the world, unadulterated hot cocoa was the steaming winter
beverage of choice. Despite our fixation on all things espresso,
cocoa is alive and well. We spooned, stirred and sipped our
way through many a mugful to bring you the finest.
1. HOT CHOCOLATE
$1.55-$2.20 AT TORREFAZIONE, VARIOUS
LOCATIONS
Bravissimo! Italians make hot chocolate that's simple and
intensely flavored, yet not overbearing. Portland's most
Italian coffee purveyor uses Pernigotti cocoa powder from
Novi Ligure, Italy. Cocoa powder and vanillin are the only
ingredients in this choicest of imported foodstuffs (there's
no sugar or sweeteners whatsoever). The flavor is mild yet
very cocoa-like. If the average hot chocolate is too rich
for you, vai a Torrefazione.
2. HOT CHOCOLATE
$1.80-$2.25 AT COFFEE PEOPLE, VARIOUS
LOCATIONS
Good coffee, not so great hot chocolate. A chocolate bean
atop a dollop of whipped cream is the highlight. The beverage
itself isn't particularly memorable; the flavor is more
Swiss Miss than Ghirardelli. A mocha or Mexican hot chocolate
is the way to go here.
3. GHIRARDELLI HOT CHOCOLATES DOUBLE CHOCOLATE FLAVOR
$2.50
FOR 16 OUNCES/20 SERVINGS AT FRED MEYER, VARIOUS LOCATIONS
This hot chocolate rules. Anything less from renowned chocolatier
Ghirardelli would be inexcusable. The fragrant powder turns
hot milk (water is OK to use too) a deep, semi-sweet brown
with a true chocolate flavor. Leave it to these purists
to have the shortest ingredient list of packaged mixes (four),
not to mention a refreshing absence of artificial ingredients.
At 80 calories and 1.5 grams of fat per serving, it's a
better bet for the health-conscious than most mixes, which
weigh in at 110 calories or more and about 3 grams of fat.
4. HERSHEY'S GOODNIGHT KISSES MILK CHOCOLATE FLAVOR
$1.29
FOR FOUR SERVINGS AT FRED MEYER
Sip on this if you crave very sweet milk chocolate instead
of the darker, slightly bitter variety. It's richer than
most cocoa, thanks in part to the Barbie-sized Hershey's
kisses in the mix, which dissolve when hot water or milk
is added. Any kisses left at the bottom taste a hell of
a lot better than that saccharine clump of undissolved powder
rendered by other mixes.
5. HOT COCOA
$2-$3 AT PIED COW COFFEEHOUSE, 3244
SE BELMONT AVE., 230-4866
This eclectic coffeehouse serves the best soy hot chocolate
in town. The Mexican version features chocolate shavings
floating on the foamy head of this rich, creamy concoction.
You can have it made with cow juice and topped with whipped
cream, too. The rice milk version, however, is not recommended.
6. SWISS MISS MARSHMALLOW LOVERS
$2.29 FOR EIGHT
SERVINGS AT FRED MEYER, VARIOUS LOCATIONS
If you ever begged Mom to buy the mini-marshmallow cocoa,
you'll love this exaggerated version. The number of Tart
'n' Tiny-sized sugar pillows has been dramatically increased
to more than 50 per serving! (Yes, we counted.) In fact,
there are so many marshmallows that Swiss Miss gave them
their own envelope--with all this accouterment, you'll feel
like you're getting more for your dollar. As you may recall,
the dehydrated bits never really plump up, but they do create
a pleasant foamy layer atop the traditional, not-too-chocolatey
(yet undeniably appealing) drink with the familiar flavor.
7. IBARRA
$4.99 FOR 16 SERVINGS AT NATURE'S FRESH
NORTHWEST, VARIOUS LOCATIONS
This delicious Mexican hot chocolate requires a bit more
preparation than the basic powdered mix. In other words,
if you're the type who buys pre-made Rice Krispie Treats
because you just can't spare 10 minutes to make them yourself,
forget about this delicacy. You break off chunks of chocolate,
add them to hot milk in a blender and mix it up. (Stirring
the hell out of the mix in a pan also yields satisfactory
results.) The perfectly chocolatey, rich drink is made more
special by a surprising hint of spicy cinnamon.
8. SAFEWAY FAT FREE HOT COCOA MIX
$2.19 FOR EIGHT
SERVINGS AT SAFEWAY, VARIOUS LOCATIONS
The phrases "no sugar added" and "rich chocolate flavor"
together on this box of killjoy cocoa made me laugh out
loud. Surprisingly, the 50 calorie-per serving mix wasn't
bad. Because the powder is made of dried nonfat milk and
questionable fake sweeteners including aspartame and acesulfame
potassium, it's not as rich and creamy as other mixes. Even
so, the flavor pleasantly recalls football game concession-stand
cocoa.
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Willamette Week | originally
published January 5,
1999
|
