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Hazelnut Hot Cocoa Big Hit

Rick Bonino Food Editor

We’ve always thought Ghirardelli chocolate was pretty hot stuff - and that was before we tasted the California company’s hot chocolate mix.

The Chocolate Hazelnut flavor we served to The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel (it also comes in Double Chocolate and Chocolate Mocha) was suitably rich with a subtle nutty accent.

Of course, regular readers will recall that the hot chocolate that was a big hit with the panel last winter, Carnation’s Double Chocolate Meltdown, seems to have since disappeared from area stores.

For Ghirardelli’s sake, let’s hope this isn’t the chocolate kiss of death.

Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate, Chocolate Hazelnut

Price: $3.99 for 16 ounces; makes 20 (1-cup) servings.

Nutrition: 80 calories (19 percent fat calories); 30 milligrams sodium per serving (mix only; does not include nutrition values for the milk used).

Taste: ****

Value: ****

Comments: “A grown-up hot chocolate. Kids wouldn’t like the intense semisweet flavor.” - Karen Buck

“This reminds me of being young again. Lots of chocolate. Who cares how much it costs.” - Larry Kelly

, DataTimes MEMO: Products sampled by The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel are prepared according to package directions. Products are rated from one to five stars for taste and for value, based on quality compared to price.

Products sampled by The Spokesman-Review’s reader food panel are prepared according to package directions. Products are rated from one to five stars for taste and for value, based on quality compared to price.