It requires the same "just add water" method as other instant hot chocolate packets. After mixing up a cup the first thing I noticed was the aroma. It was different than Swiss Miss or like brands. It was subtle. Second, the color was different. Lighter, not as dense looking but not at all watery. Finally, as for the taste, it was mild and not artificial tasting. I'd drink it again.
Instant mixes, such as hot cocoa or pudding, contain things like stabilizers or thickeners so the ingredients list is longer than I prefer. But if you compare the Trader Joe's version to Swiss Miss, there are differences. Trader Joe's has the cleaner list. Considering this and the nice taste, I'd use their mix once in a while to make a quick cup for my son. And as most items at Trader Joe's, the price is a budget-friendly $2.99.
Trader Joe's Instant Hot Cocoa ingredients: Cane sugar, whole milk powder, natural cocoa powder, whey protein, tricalcium phosphate, stabilizer (carragenean and gum acacia), emulsifier (soy lecithin), salt, natural vanilla flavor, vitamin and mineral mix (iron, niacin (B3), thiamin (B1), vitamin A, riboflavin (B2)).
Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa ingredients: Sugar, corn syrup, modified milk, cocoa (processed with alkali), hydrogenated coconut oil, nonfat milk, calcium carbonate, less than 2% of: Salt, dipotassium phosphate, mono- and diglycerides, artificial flavor, carragenean.
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ReplyDeleteIf you want hot chocolate with even fewer ingredients, mix 2 parts sugar (Florida Crystals work fine) to 1 part cocoa powder (I found a fair-trade organic one at Whole Foods).
Heat your milk, stir in a tablespoon of the mix, and add a drop of vanilla extract if you like.
I buy some better-ingredient marshmallows at http://www.naturalcandystore.com/?a=mS2x7j .