Of all the holidays we now know about thanks to the Internet, I think World Chocolate Day is the one that makes me most glad. Because common — it’s CHOCOLATE. This is the best thing God gave us, right after the gift of cheese.

When I’m not eating chocolate, I like to drink it. Hot chocolate is wonderful on its own, mixed with coffee or sometimes, even in yummy desserts, but all hot choc is not born equal. When it comes to the packaged stuff, there’s definitely a hierarchy.

If you ever had any doubt as to who (or what) the instant chocolate champion is, let’s settle this once and for all. We’ll be taste testing 5 well-known brands — Cowbell, Milo, Bournvita, Maltesers and Cadbury — taking into consideration 3 simple factors:

• Appearance/Colour

• Solubility 

• Overall flavour

Let’s get into it 🤘🏾

5. Cowbell Chocolate

Cowbell’s hot chocolate is at the bottom of the list for a variety of reasons that will become clear as you read on.

• Appearance/Colour — The chocolate powder itself is just a tinge lighter than the rest of the brands on the list, but nothing too unusual.

• Solubility — It takes slightly longer to dissolve in hot water, compared to some of the higher-ranking instant chocolate mixes. And, for me, there’s nothing worse than a clumpy hot beverage.

• Overall flavour — If you’re a hot chocolate lover, you’re not likely to be satisfied/pleased with the flavour Cowbell’s offering here. It doesn’t deliver very well on taste, and doesn’t have that deep, comforting chocolatey-ness you look for in a good hot chocolate.

4. Milo

You guys, no amount of advertising can convert me. Milo is not it.

• Appearance/Colour — It’s similar to the rest, a not-too-light-but-not-too-dark type of colour.

• Solubility — Milo dissolves well quite quickly, in my opinion. No complaints here.

• Overall flavour — This is where this instant powder falls my hand. Milo has not just a bland, surface ‘chocolate’ flavour, it has a weird aftertaste, which is just a NO. Also, I had to add in a few teaspoons of milk to improve the taste, which I believe should be more optional/preference-based, than a necessity for good flavour.

3. Bournvita

Some people are not going to be happy about this because #nostalgia / #millenialchildhoodfaves, but it is what it is.

• Appearance/Colour — Bournvita’s chocolate powder is dark enough to make you feel like you’re going to get something good.

• Solubility — Again, it took a bit of stirring to get it to disappear completely into the hot water, but it’s something you can live with.

• Overall flavour — It’s not my favourite on the list because it doesn’t have that rich chocolate flavour I’m always on the lookout for. This cup of hot chocolate left me wanting (a lot) more.

2. Maltesers Hot Chocolate (for a SPRINKLE OF ABROAD VIBES)

My expectations were high because 😍 it’s Maltesers 😍, but this didn’t make it to the very top of the list for a bunch of reasons.

• Appearance/Colour — Same as the others, we have good colour here.

• Solubility — Some chocolate particles were left undissolved at the top, which I’ve actually found that I don’t mind, because when you take a sip, you get a different, sharp chocolate hit before you taste the actual hot choc. I like that a lot, in fact.

• Overall flavour — It’s nice. BUT like with Milo, a) I had to add in some milk to really get the best results. b) It also has a chemically-type aftertaste I just can’t stomach.

1. Cadbury Hot Chocolate

Winner ohh ohh ohhh, WINNER 🌟

• Appearance/Colour — Again, good colour here.

• Solubility — Same as the Maltesers instant chocolate, you’ll find a sprinkle of (yummy) chocolate particles undissolved at the top, but it generally breaks down quickly and very well in hot water.

• Overall flavour — Deep, chocolatey and very satisfying. You can tell that thought and better-quality ingredients went into this one, compared to the others. It’s not the quick cup of Milo (shade) your mum used to make you when you were ill and couldn’t stomach any food; Cadbury hot chocolate is something you actually sit down to sip and savour after a long day.

Disagree with this ranking? Come and fight us online!