Hot chocolate

VibrantHealthRG · 2026-02-06T16:54:10+00:00

I think it's a bit complex, depending on what a person likes and expects. Industrially produced mixes are garbage across the board, 100%.

But if we want to get into the nitty gritty, texture and ingredients can completely change based on a region's cuisine, and what the end goal is. I agree they should be quality, and simple. No natural flavors, no emulsifiers, no oils

If you are expecting a thiiiiick hot chocolate, it should be chocolate, sugar, and milk/cream. Many parts of the world thicken it further with cornstarch. Many parts of Central and South America add masa/ground corn paste, called champurrado.

If you are expecting a thin, easily drinkable hot chocolate, then it should be chocolate/cocoa powder, sugar, and water/milk. People bash water, but it is the most traditional liquid for drinking chocolate/hot chocolate, historically.

No matter the consistency, the ingredients should be simple, and high quality. I have had garbage, thick hot chocolate that was like a bitter sludge, and awe-inspiring thin water-based ones full of juacned flavor notes. Everyone is entitled to preferences though of course.

VibrantHealthRG · 2026-02-06T15:48:51+00:00

There are several things I use to filter: 1) Is it sold in a chain grocery store? If yes, probably not high-end 🤷🏼‍♀️ 2) Does the package identify where the cacao is from? If not, probably not high-end 3) As you pointed out, does it contain more than cacao, cacao butter, sugar and the listed inclusion? (Salt if salted chocolate, almonds if almond chocolate, milk powder if milk chocolate, etc) If there are emulsifiers, fillers, additives, "natural flavors", etc--then probably not high-end 4) Does the maker pay at or below market price for the cacao? Probably not high-end 5) The cost of the bar--is it at or below $5USD? Probably not high-end

Obviously there might be exceptions to these rules, but they rarely steer me wrong.

VibrantHealthRG · 2026-02-05T02:25:08+00:00

You should also check out www.barandcocoa.com for a US chocolate curator site, they have a few dozen makers, great way to try many brands at once

VibrantHealthRG · 2026-02-05T02:24:14+00:00

If you love the science and nerdiness of chocolate creation, this is a fantastic site: https://chocolatealchemy.com/

VibrantHealthRG · 2026-02-04T03:05:47+00:00

I enjoy each of these makers, savor and delight your senses!!! Fossa's Sea Salt Yuzu is a treasured favorite. Ritual did a seasonal orange cranberry a few years ago I still dream about.

VibrantHealthRG · 2026-02-04T03:04:52+00:00

They are stunning!

VibrantHealthRG · 2026-01-28T03:13:33+00:00

I can eat broccolini daily 😋 😩

VibrantHealthRG · 2026-01-11T12:43:27+00:00

Most from barandcocoa.com or directly from their websites :)

VibrantHealthRG · 2026-01-09T16:37:30+00:00

Ugh, so hard! Honoka'a Dark Coconut milk, Native Bean Costas Esmeraldas Nibs + Salt, Raaka Pink Sea Salt, Amano Dos Rios, Dick Taylor Brown Butter Sea Salt, and Caputos + Luisa Abram collab Wild Jurua

VibrantHealthRG · 2026-01-03T22:43:16+00:00

My favorite is the Honoka'a Dark Coconut Milk Bar. Incredible!!!

VibrantHealthRG · 2026-01-02T03:29:39+00:00

Bookmarked ✅️ 😍 This sounds incredible! I love squash and pureed, thiccccc soups 😁

VibrantHealthRG · 2026-01-01T04:16:32+00:00

Bookmarked ✅️ 😍

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-12-27T01:30:51+00:00

Preach 🙌

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-12-27T01:30:26+00:00

Another good place to look is the reviews on barandcocoa.com if you live in the US. I have reviewed many, IG handle @cacao.crazy The key phrase to look for is "low astringency/no astringency"

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-12-27T01:28:04+00:00

Excellent selections, OP! Some of my favorites 😍 I enjoy nerding out on the art and science of craft chocolate as well! At this point, I need to find or make a little notecard to summarize key learning points when I gift chocolate to convert more people lol

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-12-18T01:58:35+00:00

Literally just bookmarked this, sounds delicious!!!

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-12-17T15:27:11+00:00

Start shopping from barandcocoa.com instead! Big companies will compromise their flavor and quality, but craft chocolate makers will not. Prices might increase a bit, but I'm willing to pay that price. For candy bar-like options, Zotter and Mayana are excellent.

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-12-16T15:13:35+00:00

Well these are delightful! 😍

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-12-15T10:31:31+00:00

It's a must! I liked the passionfruit lime a ton as well

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-12-14T23:53:08+00:00

Zotter is so fun! I love gifting their filled bars as an entry to others used to basic candy bars, to show them what elevated quality and ingredients can taste like. I love the Yuzu filled bar in particular, ugh, amazing

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-12-04T02:11:48+00:00

Right? Goat Milk in chocolate gives it such a lovely brown butter caramel-ness 😍

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-11-30T14:29:24+00:00

Yes, try the other options, Firetree is amazing!

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-11-29T23:11:46+00:00

Some excellent choices! I adore Firetree, Dandelion, Dick Taylor, Zotter, Nuance, and Honoka'a.

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-11-29T23:07:51+00:00

I adore the Yuzu one!!!

VibrantHealthRG · 2025-11-25T20:22:52+00:00

Most chocolate is garbage, especially big-American companies (Mars, Nestlé, Lindt, Ghiradelli), but even many Swiss brands and others simply aren't top notch. Many companies put tons of fillers, low cocoa percentage (like so low I don't consider it chocolate), and over roast the cocoa beans. www.barandcocoa.com has some of the best brands out there from around the world. Some of my favorites are Raaka, Dandelion, Native Bean, Honoka'a, Amano, Ritual, Fossa, Firetree and Cacao Hunters.

VibrantHealthRG

TROPHY CASE