Gusta Dark Hot Chocolate

This is intense. I made the first cup too large and it lost the thick texture, so follow the smaller serving suggestion. Second try was excellent, almost pudding-like and not childish-sweet. A little fussy for a rushed morning but PERFECT after dinner

This is not the watery cocoa packet from the office kitchen. I made it with whole milk and kept the heat low while whisking. At first I thought I had used too much mix because it got so thick, but that texture is exactly what made it special. The chocolate flavor is deep and not candy-sweet. We served tiny cups after dinner with no dessert and nobody missed cake. On the second try I added a splash more milk for my son and left mine almost pudding-thick. Both versions worked. The pouch doesnt look huge, yet a modest serving is plenty because it is so rich. I would not drink this before running out the door in the morning. It is a sit down, put the phone away, take your time kind of cup. BEST cold-weather purchase so far.

This is not the thin cocoa I grew up with. It gets properly thick and tastes deeply chocolatey, almost like drinking warm pudding, in the best way. I served tiny cups after dinner and nobody asked for a bigger portion because it is RICH. whisk steadily and dont rush it. Mine was smooth with no little dry pockets. Perfect for a cold night when you want dessert but dont want to bake anything

This is not the cocoa you absentmindedly drink while answering email. It demands a spoon and about ten quiet minutes. I whisked it with whole milk until it thickened, poured it into two small cups, and added nothing else. The dark chocolate flavor was strong without turning harsh. My partner said it reminded him of a tiny cafe we ducked into during a rainy trip to Florence years ago, mostly because it was closer to pudding than a drink. One packet made a satisfying dessert for both of us. Next time I may add a little cinnamon, but it absolutely does not need whipped cream or marshmallows. excellent stuff for a cold night

Made this after a long rainy day and it was exactly what I hoped for: dark, thick, and rich enough that I poured smaller cups than usual. The first batch had a few lumps because I dumped everything in too quickly. Second try I added the mix gradually while whisking and it turned glossy and smooth. My teenager took one sip, said 'WOW this is basically pudding,' and carried the mug upstairs. I appreciate that the chocolate flavor stays bold instead of just tasting sugary. This is not my everyday cocoa, its the one I will pull out when we want the evening to feel a little special. Next experiment is adding a pinch of cinnamon

tbh this is closer to drinking dessert than cocoa. Rich, smooth, almost too intense for a full mug. Half portions work for us

ok WOW. This tastes like dark chocolate, not warm sugar water. I whisked it in a saucepan and poured it into espresso cups because a normal mug would be a lot. Thick, rich, and definately a dessert. My partner added a splash of milk to hers; I liked mine as made. We scraped the pot clean

Very rich, almost like drinking a melted dessert. I used less milk the second time and liked it even more. Not an everyday cocoa for me but PERFECT when you want something intense

Good flavor but it clumped when I rushed it. You really do have to whisk and heat it slowly. Not a microwave packet situation, which is fine, just know that.

dark, thick, not too sweet. exactly what i wanted

found this through a friend. she said 'just try the hot chocolate, trust me.' tried it. ordering my second tin now. she was right

packaging was intact. the chocolate smells incredible when you open the tin. made it the same night. the slightly bitter edge on a dark hot chocolate is exactly what i was looking for. this is an adult drink and i mean that as a compliment

Not bad. Made it twice. Both times it was fine, a good dark hot chocolate. But I have made similar things at home with quality cocoa powder and didnt feel like this was dramatically better. Maybe I am making it wrong.

Made a small cup after dinner instead of having actual dessert. Thick and intense. Completely satisfying. Doing this every night now.

Dense. Rich. Good. That is the review.

december through february this is every sunday morning. made with whole milk. topped with nothing. just that.

There is a before and after with this product. Before: mediocre instant hot cocoa on cold mornings. After: a real ritual. I put on music, heat the milk slowly, whisk this in, and take 20 minutes with it. The slightly bitter edge is what makes it feel like an adult drink rather than a child's treat.

It is July. I am thinking about ordering more of this even though it is 87 degrees outside. That should tell you everything you need to know.

I used to pour a glass of wine after dinner. Now about half the time I make a small cup of this instead. Lower stakes, still feels like a treat. The intensity of it is satisfying in a way where you only want a small amount, which is actually useful.

Bought this thinking it would be similar to high-end hot cocoa mixes I have tried before. It is significantly more serious than those. Very dark, almost espresso-like in its intensity. I had to adjust my expectations but once I did I understood it. Would recommend being prepared for how intense it is.

Bought this as a holiday gift. Tried it first to see if it was good enough to give. It was. It was TOO good. Ended up keeping the first tin and ordering another for the gift. No regrets.

Gave this to three people as holiday gifts. All three have since ordered more on their own. That is about as good as a gift can do.

We had a hot chocolate at a small place near Lake Como years ago and I have been chasing that flavor ever since. This is as close as I have gotten. Not identical, nothing is. But the depth of flavor is there. Its not a sweet dessert drink, its more like concentrated chocolate that you consume slowly. My partner cried a little, which is a good sign.

too bitter for my taste. i wanted something richer than swiss miss but this swung too far in the other direction for me personally. prob a 3 star for my palate but i get why others love it

Send this to my college roommate every December. She texts me every January to say thank you again. Four years running.

Second tin. We go through this fast in the colder months. Made with oat milk it loses some of the richness but still very good. Whole milk is the move if you can. The tin is also reusable which is a small bonus.

Hot cocoa is what you make with a packet and water at 7am when you want something warm. This is something else. This is dark, bitter at the edge, rich in a way that hits you in the back of the throat. I made it with whole milk and drank it slowly while it was still snowing. That was a good evening.

She saw this on my Instagram and said order it. I ordered it. She has made a cup every morning for three weeks. We have ordered three tins. This is now a budget line item.

good flavor when fully mixed but I had some lumps even after whisking. could just be my technique. tastes good enough that im willing to keep trying

First cup I made with water per the instructions. Good but not amazing. Second cup with whole milk and a very low simmer. COMPLETELY different experience. Thick, glossy, rich. The water version does the job but if you want the full thing use good milk.

I have tried probably eight or nine premium hot chocolate mixes over the years, the ones from specialty shops and food halls. This is the best of them. The dark flavor is real, not just labeled dark. There is a slight bitterness that makes it feel more like a proper drinking chocolate than a sweet powder drink. I make it thick, in a small cup, after dinner. Two months in and still not tired of it.

So good.