As the evenings grow cooler and the leaves begin to turn, many of us find comfort in the simple pleasure of a warm mug of hot chocolate. But with so many options on the supermarket shelves, how do you know which one will give you that rich, chocolatey hug in a mug, and which will leave you with a bitter taste in your mouth?

Well, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, we've taken one for the team and dived into the world of supermarket hot chocolates to bring you the truth about which brands are worth your hard-earned pension and which should be left on the shelf.


The Great Australian Supermarket Hot Chocolate Taste Test was no small feat. With the help of seven brave friends, we embarked on a blind taste test of 13 different supermarket hot chocolates. Each was prepared according to the packet's instructions, and we judged them on aroma, texture, taste, and overall chocolatey-ness.


The results were, to put it mildly, surprising. It seems that despite the glossy packaging and seductive promises of 'indulgence' and 'organic cacao,' many of these hot chocolates are not designed with the discerning adult palate in mind. Instead, they often resembled the milky, sugary concoctions dispensed by vending machines in train stations – a far cry from the rich, complex flavors we were seeking.


One particularly disappointing discovery was that many of these products contained more sugar and additives than actual chocolate. It was a stark reminder that sometimes, convenience products sacrifice quality for shelf stability and cost-cutting.

But it wasn't all doom and gloom. Amidst the sea of mediocrity, there were a few shining stars. Pana Organic Hot Chocolate Drink Blend stood out from the crowd with its slightly bitter, earthy flavor profile that reminded us what cocoa is really about – a fermented bean with a deep and complex character. It was one of the few products that listed cacao as the main ingredient, and it scored a respectable 7.5 out of 10.

On the other end of the spectrum, we had the Cadbury Drinking Chocolate, which, while intensely sweet, offered a more chocolate-forward flavor than many of its competitors. It was deemed the best value, scoring a middle-of-the-road 5 out of 10.


The rest of the field was a mixed bag. Some, like the Grounded Pleasures Exquisite Original Drinking Chocolate, improved significantly when we ignored the stingy recommended serving size and doubled the dose. Others, like the Lindt Hot Chocolate Made With Lindt Milk Chocolate, promised luxury but delivered a lackluster experience that was more wax museum than gourmet.

And then there were the health-focused options, which, despite their virtuous packaging, often fell flat on flavor. The Lovin’ Body Raw Cacao Drinking Hot Chocolate, for example, was the least chocolatey of the bunch, leaving our taste testers disappointed and disillusioned.

So, what's the takeaway from our chocolatey adventure? First and foremost, don't judge a hot chocolate by its cover. Fancy packaging and buzzwords like 'organic' and 'artisan' don't necessarily equate to a better-tasting product. Secondly, don't be afraid to experiment with the preparation – sometimes a little extra powder can transform a bland beverage into a delightful treat.


And finally, remember that the best hot chocolate is the one that brings you joy. Whether it's a nostalgic return to a childhood favorite or a new discovery that tickles your taste buds, the perfect hot chocolate is out there waiting for you.
We'd love to hear from you, our cherished club members. Have you found a supermarket hot chocolate that warms your soul on a chilly evening? Or have you concocted your own recipe that puts the store-bought varieties to shame? Share your stories and recipes in the comments below, and let's continue the quest for the ultimate hot chocolate together!