For young and old, hot cocoa is the perfect winter time beverage -- but not all hot chocolates are created equal.
To find out which ones are best in taste and cost, Consumer Reports tested cocoas from names like Ghirardelli and Godiva to classics like Hershey's and Swiss Miss and even an organic one from Dagoba.
Trained panelists looked at nutrition and calories.
"But really, if you're having it as a special treat, you'll want it to be full-bodied and have a high-quality chocolate flavour, and this may mean more calories," Amy Keatnig said.
Stephen's: Belgian Dark Chocolate Gourmet Hot Cocoa was the lowest rated, with testers reporting a "thin and grayish" finish and an artificial flavour.
The top rated was Godiva's Dark Chocolate Cocoa Mix.
"It was full and flavourful, with an intense cocoa and chocolate flavour. It had roasted notes and even a slight vanilla note," Keating said.
Ghirardelli cocoa also rated very high in Consumer Reports' taste tests. It's more expensive per serving, but worth the money if you're looking for something special.
Also very good and a bit less expensive is Hershey's "Favorite Hot Cocoa" recipe, which has a mild chocolate and slight vanilla and malt flavors.
And Nestlé's Carnation brand products, which can be made with water, makes them lower in calories and fat. Hot cocoa can be a good source of calcium if you make it with milk.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Chris Olsen
