We looked at the Hershey’s Natural Unsweetened Cocoa 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
- Cheap and everywhere
- Fine for everyday cocoa
Watch out for
- Milder flavor
- Lower fat, less body
Key facts
| Typical price | $4.50 |
|---|---|
| Size | 8 oz |
| Cost per unit | about 55¢ per oz |
| Type | Cocoa powder |
| Style | Natural |
| 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
The supermarket standard. Milder and lower in fat than premium cocoas, but perfectly good for everyday scratch hot cocoa with a little extra chocolate.
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 $4.50 for 8 oz (about 55¢ 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 cheapest, easiest-to-find cocoa. The catch: milder flavor.
Our verdict
A great pick for: the cheapest, easiest-to-find cocoa. The catch: milder flavor.
Frequently asked questions
Should I make Hershey’s Natural Unsweetened Cocoa with milk or water?
Milk makes it creamier and richer; use whole milk for the best texture.
Tried Hershey’s Natural Unsweetened Cocoa?
Reader notes
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Alternatives to Hershey’s Natural Unsweetened Cocoa
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
A top pick in America’s Test Kitchen’s cocoa tasting for complex, layered chocolate flavor. Comes in natural and Dutch-process versions.
- Type
- Cocoa powder
- Size
- 8 oz
- Cost
- about $1 per oz
- Make with
- Make from scratch
A cleaner-label version of the classic with no artificial preservatives. Silky flavor, though a bit thin.
- Type
- Hot cocoa mix
- Size
- 8 packets
- Cost
- about 50¢ per packet
- Make with
- With milk
Sweet, cinnamon-spiced chocolate tablets made for whisking into hot milk. The classic base for Mexican hot chocolate.
- Type
- Mexican chocolate
- Size
- 6 tablets (about 19 oz)
- Cost
- about 25¢ per oz
- Make with
- Melt into hot milk