As the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing quite like wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of hot chocolate. To find the ultimate winter warmer, the IN team participated in a blind taste test evaluating four popular brands: Ghirardelli, Starbucks, Nestlé, and Swiss Miss. Our tasters ranked each brand from favorite to least favorite based on two categories: flavor and package design. The results are in, and they’re sure to stir up some conversation!
THE BRANDS
Ghirardelli
Price per ounce: $0.81
Starbucks
Price per ounce: $1.29
Nestlé
Price per ounce: $0.35
Swiss Miss
Price per ounce: $0.24
THE VERDICT
FLAVOR: When it comes to flavor, Ghirardelli melted the competition, earning the top spot with its rich and chocolate-y taste and texture. Nestlé and Starbucks tied for second place. Starbucks was described by the testers as darker and more bitter than the other options. Nestlé invoked a cozy and familiar vibe. Unfortunately for Swiss Miss, it just missed a three-way tie for second place, landing in last place with testers describing it as a bit too sweet for their discerning palettes.
1st Place: Ghirardelli
2nd Place: Nestlé & Starbucks (tie)
4th Place: Swiss Miss
PACKAGING: In the packaging department, Ghirardelli once again took the crown with its elevated design. Swiss Miss came in second — classic and instantly recognizable. Starbucks followed in third, with a packaging that relied heavily on thier brand recognition. Coming in last, Nestlé, whose packaging had a lukewarm reception, some describing it as generic.
1st Place: Ghirardelli
2nd Place: Swiss Miss
3rd Place: Starbucks
4th Place: Nestlé
Cocoa Conclusions
Our blind taste test revealed that Ghirardelli is the hot chocolate to beat this winter, excelling in both flavor and packaging. At nearly triple the cost per ounce of the more affordable Swiss Miss or Nestlé, it comes at a premium, but our tasters thought it was worth the price. Nestlé, Starbucks, and Swiss Miss also offer delightful choices for those seeking a cozy cocoa experience.
So, as you sip your way through the season, remember that the best hot chocolate is the one that brings you the most joy. Stay warm and happy sipping!