Whole food · Beverages
Photo: Wikipedia
A comforting, quick-mix powder that transforms into a warm, sweet, and mildly chocolatey beverage when stirred into hot water. Its texture is typically smooth with a light, frothy top if whisked, offering a mild cocoa flavor balanced by noticeable sweetness. Nutritionally, it's a light treat, primarily providing quick energy from its 11.54g of carbohydrates, with minimal fat and a small amount of protein.
People love it for its instant, nostalgic comfort—a warm hug in a mug that's ready in seconds. Its sweet, familiar chocolate flavor makes it a universally appealing treat, especially for children and as a simple, cozy indulgence.
The high sugar content (9.03g per 100g) can lead to blood-sugar spikes and crashes, making it less ideal for those managing diabetes or seeking sustained energy. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat (like a handful of nuts or a piece of cheese) to slow sugar absorption, and be mindful of portion size. Some mixes may also contain added sodium or common allergens like milk derivatives, so checking the label is wise.
The concept of a powdered cocoa mix for home use was popularized in the 19th century, but the first commercially successful instant hot cocoa mix in the U.S. was developed by General Foods in 1948 and branded as 'Swiss Miss'.
| Water | 86.3 g |
| Energy | 55.0 kcal |
| Energy | 229 kj |
| Protein | 0.92 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.55 g |
| Ash | 0.65 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 11.5 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.50 g |
| Total Sugars | 9.0 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 21.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.17 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 12.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 43.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 99.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 73.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.21 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.04 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.70 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 61.4 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.08 mg |
| Niacin | 0.08 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.12 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.02 mg |
| Folate, total | 1.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 1.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 1.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 4.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.05 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 1.0 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.03 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.10 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.33 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.15 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.16 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.18 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.18 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.10 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 2.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 44.0 mg |
Is this the same as pure cocoa powder?
No. This is a pre-mixed powder containing cocoa, sugar, and often other ingredients like dairy powder, salt, and emulsifiers. Pure cocoa powder is unsweetened and much more bitter.
Can I prepare it with milk instead of water?
Yes, and it will significantly increase the creaminess, protein, and calorie content. Using milk turns it into a richer, more indulgent beverage.
Why does it sometimes clump when I add water?
Clumping happens when the powder hits hot water too quickly. To prevent it, first mix the powder with a small amount of cold water or milk to form a smooth paste, then slowly whisk in the remaining hot liquid.