12th Annual Hot Chocolate Awards
We are proud to present the results of the 12th Annual HOT CHOCOLATE AWARDS Competition.
The International Chocolate Salon results for the 12th Annual HOT CHOCOLATE AWARDS are based on the combined total number of votes received by each entrant from the Judging Panel.
The chocolate awards Judging Panel consists of National and Regional Magazines, Newspaper and Blog Editors, plus Topic Experts, Local Chefs and Food Gurus.
SOOTHING AND DELICIOUS
4.5 STARS
4.0 STARS
3.5 STARS
3.0 STARS
BEST INGREDIENT COMBINATIONS
4.5 STARS
- Delysia Chocolatier Gingerbread Latte
4.0 STARS
- Bon Fiction Godavari Chocolate Hot Cocoa Chai
- Delysia Chocolatier Smoked Ancho Gold
3.5 STARS
- Panache Chocolatier Christmas Orange Cocoa
- Del Cacao al Chocolate Hearth
- Panache Chocolatier Tropical Passion Cocoa
- Delysia Chocolatier Ruby Spiced Cranberry
3.0 STARS
- Del Cacao al Chocolate Golden
- Panache Chocolatier Holiday Nutcracker Cocoa
- Del Cacao al Chocolate Forest
BEST TASTE
4.0 STARS
- Bon Fiction Godavari Chocolate Hot Cocoa Chai
- Delysia Chocolatier Gingerbread Latte
3.5 STARS
- Panache Chocolatier Tropical Passion Cocoa
- Panache Chocolatier Christmas Orange Cocoa
- Del Cacao al Chocolate Hearth
- Delysia Chocolatier Smoked Ancho Gold
3.0 STARS
- Panache Chocolatier Holiday Nutcracker Cocoa
- Del Cacao al Chocolate Golden
- Delysia Chocolatier Ruby Spiced Cranberry
- Del Cacao al Chocolate Forest
BEST RICHNESS
4.5 STARS
- Delysia Chocolatier Gingerbread Latte
4.0 STARS
- Delysia Chocolatier Smoked Ancho Gold
- Panache Chocolatier Tropical Passion Cocoa
- Panache Chocolatier Holiday Nutcracker Cocoa
- Bon Fiction Godavari Chocolate Hot Cocoa Chai
3.5 STARS
- Del Cacao al Chocolate Hearth
- Panache Chocolatier Christmas Orange Cocoa
- Del Cacao al Chocolate Forest
- Del Cacao al Chocolate Golden
- Delysia Chocolatier Ruby Spiced Cranberry
BEST OVERALL
GOLD
- Delysia Chocolatier Gingerbread Latte
SILVER
- Delysia Chocolatier Ruby Spiced Cranberry
- Bon Fiction Godavari Chocolate Hot Cocoa Chai
BRONZE
- Panache Chocolatier Holiday Nutcracker Cocoa
- Panache Chocolatier Tropical Passion Cocoa
- Panache Chocolatier Christmas Orange Cocoa
- Del Cacao al Chocolate Golden
JUDGES COMMENTS
- Most people are used to drinking chocolate being sweet—what a pleasure it has been to taste drinking chocolate that's savory and so full of flavor. In particular, Godavari's Hot Cocoa Chai, and Del Cacao al Chocolate's Forest and Golden drinking chocolates have created unique, savory blends that warm the heart and comfort the soul. Bravo!
- All of the Panache and all of the Delysia cocoa were different, light, and delicious.
- Depending on how I might feel I would rotate my choices. The Christmas Orange was exceptional. I wanted to enjoy something other than traditional and the Christmas Orange was exceptional. The Holiday Nutcracker was good enough to close my ideas and think about the ballet!
- Love the holiday flavors. Delysia's inclusion of chips into the cocoa powder added to flavor and presentation. Delicious. Panache's Christmas Orange and Holiday Nutcracker "tasted" like the holidays. I loved the Lyons (Del Cacao al's 'cacao pods." Very special presentation.
JUDGES INSIGHTS
- Panache... please include mixing instructions on your packaging (especially ratio of powder to liquid).
- Note to Del Cacao: I'd love to see a drinking chocolate without cornstarch. Not a necessary ingredient for drinking chocolate and it leaves a starchy mouthfeel. "
- This was so close. Delysia and Panache were at the top.
- Panache and Delysia always rate high. Their products are delicious. Both had exceptional holiday flavors. I know what I'll be putting in holiday stockings this year!
- Del Cacao should have been listed as "Lyons." That's what it says on the front of the box.
