We looked at the Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Cocoa Powder as a way to make a great cup of chocolate at home: flavor, richness and body, how easy it is to make, and value per cup.
What we like
- Deep, complex flavor
- Works for drinks and baking
- Natural or Dutched
Watch out for
- You add your own sugar and milk
- Pricier than Hershey’s
Key facts
| Typical price | $8 |
|---|---|
| Size | 8 oz |
| Cost per unit | about $1 per oz |
| Type | Cocoa powder |
| Style | Natural (Dutch version also available) |
| Make with | Make from scratch |
Checked Oct 9, 2026 on the official site. Prices and terms change: confirm before you buy.
Recipes to try with it
Hot · ClassicHomemade Hot Chocolate (From Cocoa Powder)
290 cal 5 min
Cold · ClassicHomemade Chocolate Syrup
75 cal 10 min
Hot · ClassicHomemade Hot Cocoa Mix
125 cal 10 min
How it tastes
A top pick in America’s Test Kitchen’s cocoa tasting for complex, layered chocolate flavor. Comes in natural and Dutch-process versions.
How to make it best
Use 2 tablespoons per cup of milk with 1-2 tablespoons sugar: whisk into a paste with a splash of milk first. Our homemade hot chocolate recipe is built for it.
Price and value
About $8.00 for 8 oz (about $1 per oz) when we checked in October 2026. Prices vary by store and season: winter sales are common.
Who should buy it
Best for: the best all-purpose cocoa for scratch hot chocolate. The catch: you add your own sugar and milk.
Our verdict
A great pick for: the best all-purpose cocoa for scratch hot chocolate. The catch: you add your own sugar and milk.
Frequently asked questions
Should I make Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Cocoa Powder with milk or water?
Milk makes it creamier and richer; use whole milk for the best texture.
Tried Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Cocoa Powder?
Reader notes
Tried Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Cocoa Powder? How does it taste, and what do you make with it? The first good one goes right here.
Add a note
Alternatives to Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
Velvety and deeply chocolatey without being too sweet: the mix that tastes closest to melted dark chocolate. It’s pricey and often sells out in winter.
- Type
- Hot cocoa mix
- Size
- 14.5 oz tin
- Cost
- about $1.30 per oz
- Make with
- With milk
Semisweet and refined rather than sugary, with a slight mocha character and a smooth mouthfeel.
- Type
- Hot cocoa mix
- Size
- 6 packets
- Cost
- about $1 per packet
- Make with
- With milk
Made from real chocolate, so it’s thick and intensely rich. Some find it almost too thick; it’s best as a small, dessert-style cup.
- Type
- Drinking chocolate
- Size
- 14 oz tin
- Cost
- about $1.75 per oz
- Make with
- With milk
A higher-fat Dutch-process cocoa that gives hot chocolate a dark color, smooth flavor and fuller body.
- Type
- Cocoa powder
- Size
- 8 oz
- Cost
- about $1.60 per oz
- Make with
- Make from scratch