Hot Chocolate!

Mrs Seabiscuit · 27 Mar 2021 at 19:26

i really have decided there is nothing better than a lovely stove top hot chocolate. Now my go to is currently Green and Blacks hot chocolate as i don`t like the over sweet crap that is options or galaxy. I am after different varieties to try and different types of hot chocolate. So what do you guys recommend? I am most definitely after quality.

PlacidCasual · 27 Mar 2021 at 20:12

Clipper hot chocolate and instant chocolate are both excellent.
Charbonnel is all name no taste for me. I've generally been disappointed with some of the premium brands, not enough sugar and often too bitter. Hotel Chocolate standard is a case in point but my wife thinks their velvetiser sachets are good.

We did get an interesting highly spiced hot chocolate from a wholefood store which is nice if you add a teaspoon to the suacepan when making 2 large mugs. I'll find the name out and share.

robj20 · 27 Mar 2021 at 20:14

I actually like this one, Aldi have it in sometimes as well.

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003GTR0D2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_QTD251QDFA4MNV77PKPS

Can't stand watery hot chocolate. Got to be thick and velvety.

neviditelny · 28 Mar 2021 at 07:35

Mrs Seabiscuit said:
i really have decided there is nothing better than a lovely stove top hot chocolate. Now my go to is currently Green and Blacks hot chocolate as i don`t like the over sweet crap that is options or galaxy. I am after different varieties to try and different types of hot chocolate. So what do you guys recommend? I am most definitely after quality.

I've been using cadbury chocolate buttons and melted them into the milk on the stove. Tastes pretty good. I've never tried Green and Blacks hot chocolate, but I really enjoy their chocolates.

montymint · 28 Mar 2021 at 07:43

I’ma sucker for whittards chilli hot chocolate

sgavan · 28 Mar 2021 at 11:14

I love the Belgium options hot chocolate, often £2 in asda, couple of teaspoons, add water to just cover and mix then fill all the way yummy

bJN · 28 Mar 2021 at 11:20

Hotel Chocolat. I've got their velvetiser and that makes it really well, but works just as good on a stove. Good variety of flavours too if that's your thing! (Granted they probably are more expensive than other marques...)

SPG · 28 Mar 2021 at 22:34

Green and blacks changed the recipe I am sure as it doesn't have the depth of flavour anymore.

Milky way magic stars is the hot choc of the moment.

Kelt · 29 Mar 2021 at 15:27

I'm a fan of this, lovely stuff for the price.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/instant-hot-chocolate-drink/p/704108408243400

jpaul · 31 Mar 2021 at 15:57

maybe good(value) ? £5
https://www.yankeebundles.com/produ...nstant-hot-chocolate-powder-1kg-sealed-packs/
bought some nice frey swiss chocolate from them last month

Kelt · 1 Apr 2021 at 16:00

jpaul said:
maybe good(value) ? £5
https://www.yankeebundles.com/produ...nstant-hot-chocolate-powder-1kg-sealed-packs/
bought some nice frey swiss chocolate from them last month

Best Before End March 2021

So, it's gonna poison you then!

#Chri5# · 1 Apr 2021 at 16:56

bJN said:
Hotel Chocolat. I've got their velvetiser and that makes it really well, but works just as good on a stove. Good variety of flavours too if that's your thing! (Granted they probably are more expensive than other marques...)

We've got a Velvetiser as well - makes a very nice hot choc. Wouldn't mind it coming out a bit hotter, so we pre-warm the mugs with hot water whilst the machines whirls away. The Hotel Chocolat ginger flavour is lovely, really well balanced.

Currently trying some Choc Affair bags as well. Also very nice : https://www.choc-affair.com/chocolate-range/hot-chocolate/

bJN · 1 Apr 2021 at 17:09

#Chri5# said:
We've got a Velvetiser as well - makes a very nice hot choc. Wouldn't mind it coming out a bit hotter, so we pre-warm the mugs with hot water whilst the machines whirls away. The Hotel Chocolat ginger flavour is lovely, really well balanced.

Currently trying some Choc Affair bags as well. Also very nice : https://www.choc-affair.com/chocolate-range/hot-chocolate/

And here's me thinking we were the only people that did that!

The milk chocolate standard affair is nice, but I prefer the 70% dark one personally. Did try the 100% dark but that was a bit too bitter for my taste.

The wife is a fan of the hazelnut one (I think?); All the ginger ones we had I palmed off to my parents as we weren't a fan at all!

WJA96 · 2 Apr 2021 at 08:40

Sadly, the velvetiser isn’t fit for the job. When they approached the company that makes it (Dualit) Dualit told them the only way to do hot chocolate properly with steam would be ~£250 retail and Hotel Chocolat decided even their well-heeled clientele would balk at that.

Dualit made their steamer anyway and it’s the best way to make hot chocolate, especially if you use the Marimba hot chocolate which is formulated with a touch of lecithin to emulsify it into milk better.

https://prcdirect.co.uk/dualit-84850-cino-milk-steamer.html?pdg=pla-335964421586:cmp-2044020948:adg-71804259785:crv-357646878171

os-:dev-c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1-uAj4ff7wIVh5SyCh118gzEEAQYBCABEgIM4fD_BwE

https://www.marimbaworld.com/buy.html?chocs=1-Hot_Chocolate_Melts

jpaul · 2 Apr 2021 at 09:17

Kelt said:
So, it's gonna poison you then!

thanks for keeping the secret that out of date stuff will kill you, don't eat at my house.

Hotel chocolate sachets only £1.30 per cup @220ml ... you could buy cocoa powder, and (not tried this bit) single cream/jersey milk , in a luxury stove cooked version for that;

Yes I'm not convinced Velvetisers actually cook the cocoa, so you need to be using chocolate flakes;
I've used an espresso machine steam wand though, dual purposing.

WJA96 · 2 Apr 2021 at 09:35

Yes, if you have a good steam wand that will definitely do the business with chocolate flakes.

Also, bear in mind that in many countries (France, Poland) they just melt the chocolate in a cup in a bain marie and serve it like that. Literally hit chocolate.

R.P.L · 6 Apr 2021 at 13:39

I just use milk and cocoa powder. I'm sweet enough etc etc...

Street · 7 Apr 2021 at 10:16

I love the Hotel Chocolat stuff. I got the missus a couple lots for Christmas and it beats everything else I've tried hands down. Their Easter eggs are pretty good as well!

WJA96 said:
Sadly, the velvetiser isn’t fit for the job. When they approached the company that makes it (Dualit) Dualit told them the only way to do hot chocolate properly with steam would be ~£250 retail and Hotel Chocolat decided even their well-heeled clientele would balk at that.

Dualit made their steamer anyway and it’s the best way to make hot chocolate, especially if you use the Marimba hot chocolate which is formulated with a touch of lecithin to emulsify it into milk better.

https://prcdirect.co.uk/dualit-8485...MI1-uAj4ff7wIVh5SyCh118gzEEAQYBCABEgIM4fD_BwE

https://www.marimbaworld.com/buy.html?chocs=1-Hot_Chocolate_Melts

That's a shame, I had an email last night about the Velvetiser and thought it might make a good present.

Hotwired · 7 Apr 2021 at 10:44

WJA96 said:
Also, bear in mind that in many countries (France, Poland) they just melt the chocolate in a cup in a bain marie and serve it like that. Literally hit chocolate.

Presumably we're not talking hand sized mugs of melted chocolate here.

DrToffnar · 7 Apr 2021 at 10:53

I've become a little disenchanted by stove top hot chocolate ever since discovering Options. It's wizardry to me. I don't understand how they make it taste so good compared to every other instant variety which by in large is all awful. Some of the Options flavours a little hit and miss but their standard one is exceptional.

Hot Chocolate!

Pet Northerner