Cadbury's hot chocolate remains the gold standard among supermarket options, according to a taste test that compared the household name with own-brand alternatives from Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's, and M&S. The test found that while M&S offers a more indulgent experience, it costs £1.25 more than Cadbury's for a smaller quantity.
Cadbury's delivers on taste and value
Cadbury's hot chocolate, priced at £3.00 for a 250-gram pot at Tesco, delivered the expected rich, sweet, and velvety flavour. The tester noted that the powder is finely milled, resulting in minimal lumps, and the signature Cadbury chocolate taste is perfectly sweet without being sickly. Despite being a well-known brand, it was not the most expensive option in the test.
M&S offers a premium but pricier option
M&S hot chocolate, at £4.25 for 200 grams, was described as a more mature answer to Cadbury's. It is rich, indulgent, and very chocolaty, with a colour that appears more convincingly chocolate-based than the others. However, it does not stir into milk as easily as Cadbury's, and some sugar particles can cause a slight crunch. The tester noted that this could be resolved with scalding hot milk. Despite being the most expensive, it delivers on flavour but offers less product for the price.
Asda and Sainsbury's own brands disappoint
Asda's hot chocolate, priced at £1.99 for 400 grams, was described as distinctly watery, overly salty, and having an unpleasant smell. It was lumpy and did not dissolve well in hot water or milk. The tester compared it to school hot chocolate and could not recommend it.
Sainsbury's Stamford Street hot chocolate, at £1.75 for 400 grams, tasted of very little, though it was marginally better than Asda's. It dissolved slightly better and was less lumpy but had an unpleasant tang. The tester noted that a lot of powder was needed to achieve a true hot chocolate flavour.
Tesco own brand: a solid but not stellar option
Tesco's own brand hot chocolate, also £3.00, was described as a solid option. It is chocolaty, dissolves well in both water and milk with minimal lumps, and has good sweetness. However, there is a slight salty after-taste if too much powder is used. While it offers 150 grams more than Cadbury's, the tester found that more powder is needed to achieve the same depth of flavour, making Cadbury's the better choice.
Conclusion: Cadbury's remains the winner for value and taste
The taste test concluded that for a classic, reliable hot chocolate, Cadbury's offers the best balance of taste and value at £3.00. For those seeking a more indulgent option, M&S is a worthy choice despite the higher price. However, own brands from Asda and Sainsbury's failed to impress, with watery flavours and poor texture. The tester recommended sticking with Cadbury's for the best bang for your buck.
