What is the BEST hot chocolate? Food experts compare the most popular varieties heading into winter - and the winner is a $4 supermarket buy
- CHOICE shares its verdict after putting 36 hot chocolates products to the test
- The consumer group narrowed down its top picks to suit everyone's tastes
- The results are based on taste, value for money, ingredients and nutrition details
- Coles Fairtrade Organic Drinking Chocolate contained highest cocoa content
- The 'most indulgent' hot chocolate on the market is Lindt Hot Chocolate Flakes
Australian consumer organisation CHOICE has put 36 hot chocolate varieties to the test to find which one tastes best.
The food experts revealed their top picks to suit everyone's tastes based on indulgence, value for money, ingredients, nutrition details and country of origin.
For the most 'chocolate-y' experience in a hot chocolate, Coles Fairtrade Organic Drinking Chocolate ($4 for 225g) came out on top, followed by Nomad Organic Drinking Chocolate West Africa ($10 for 200g).
Both brands contained the highest cocoa content of 45 per cent and just one other ingredient - sugar, making them the most pure 'chocolate' offerings of all 36 products tested.
Australian consumer organisation CHOICE has shared its verdict after putting 36 products to the test to find the most delicious hot chocolate products on the market
The 'most indulgent' hot chocolate on the market is Lindt Milk Chocolate Hot Chocolate Flakes ($7.50 for 210g).
'If you're after indulgence, look no further than Lindt - as its name implies - is flakes of Lindt chocolate that you melt into hot milk. Pure decadence,' the judges said.
'It's the most calorific hot chocolate we looked at, whether you're talking kilojoules per serve or per 100g. One cup, prepared according to pack instructions, contains 1221kJ - that's 14 per cent of the daily kilojoule intake recommended for the average adult.'
Nestle Nesquik Chocolate ($2.80 for 250g) contained the most Australian ingredients (80%), closely followed by Coles Drinking Chocolate (78%).
The family favourite Nesquik is commonly mixed in cold milk but the powder can be served hot.
The cheapest hot chocolates are Woolworths Instant Drinking Chocolate Powder ($2.99 for 400g) and Coles Drinking Chocolate ($3 for 400g).
Coles (which instructs you to add 15g to 180mL milk) and Woolworths (15g added to 200mL milk) make cups for 35 cents and 37 cents respectively.
To make your own hot chocolate at home, all you need is cocoa powder, sugar and milk
'If your household goes through hot chocolate rapidly, or you're on a tight budget, then a product that's good value for money is a priority,' the judges said.
If you want to treat yourself to a guilt-free hot chocolate, Avalanche Sugar Free Drinking Chocolate ($4.80 for 200g) contains the least amount of sugar, with just 0.1g sugar per 100g.
For vegans, the judges found 10 options that don't include dairy in the ingredients, including Cadbury Drinking Chocolate, Coles Fairtrade Organic Drinking Chocolate, Nestle Nesquik Chocolate and Woolworths Instant Drinking Chocolate Powder.
The experts found 28 out of the 36 products tested contained no gluten ingredients, while eight items listed gluten or gluten-containing ingredients in their allergen statement on the pack.
The products to avoid if you're coeliac or gluten-intolerant are Aldi NRG Maxx Energy Food Drink, Darrell Lea Drinking Chocolate, Nestle Milo, Ovaltine Lasting Energy and Woolworths Classic Hot Chocolate (sachets).
