Earthier flavor than the Royal version, and also less rich and more powdery-feeling and tasting. The first part of the sip is promising, but the aftertaste is regrettably sharp and damp, like super-stale corn chips.
All tagged 3.5
Van Houten Cocoa (box)
Under-salted, possibly even under-sweetened. Rather bland in comparison to the fresh version— not bad, but certainly nothing to get excited about.
Lotte Papico Chocolate
Probably would be pretty good if it had half the sugar. It’s way too sweet, which unfortunately overpowers the other attributes that deserve much more share of the limelight.
Purmil Heyroo Chocolate Milk
Looks beautiful when poured into a glass, but the taste has an unfortunate starchy quality that is especially noticeable post-swallow.
Namyang Doraemon Chocolate Milk (UHT)
Has a ‘thickened’ feel and is on the chalky side. The cocoa flavor doesn't stand out and has a powdery quality to it.
Ovaltine Calcium Plus (China)
Strongish malt flavor and more noticeable sweetness and salt than the other Ovaltine versions. I was expecting this to taste identical to the Cocoa (labeled) version, but it had a bit more punch to it.
Mengniu Chocolate Milk
Viscosity and texture are its best attributes— the flavor categories are remarkably unfulfilled. I will concede that the 5th sip tastes better than the first few, though I doubt most people would desire to go that far.
Chabakao
As it turns out, it’s soy milk, but pretty flavorful. Nice deep chocolate flavor, lots of graininess to achieve it, but a nicely strong and sweet chocolate soy milk.
Chokchai Farm Choc Malt (UHT)
A tad much on the watery side for the malt flavor to seem realistic. It comes on a bit too strong and doesn’t have enough cream or saltiness to carry it through.
Ovaltine Milk (Thailand)
Vitamin-y smell and twang. Sweeter and malty, not a strong cocoa presence at all. Tasty enough for what it is, but a bit distant from what chocolate milk should be.
Hunter Farms Low Fat Chocolate Milk
Weak cocoa flavor, only a light sweetness is present. Fairly thin, smooth, light, and gray— but the flavor has much fewer identifiable characteristics.
Stewart's Shops 1% Chocolate Milk
Bland, flat, doesn't move the needle much in terms of the flavor categories, the most prominent of them is a creamy aftertaste that is nice. Hard to get excited for more.
Horizon Organic DHA Omega-3 Low Fat Chocolate Milk
A honey-like sweetness is the main feature of this incredibly pale, gray milk. Nary a hint of chocolate, but the salty/sweet combo helps to prop up the overall rating.
Gropper Schokogeschmack
If blindfolded, most people would identify this as eggnog. Very strong noggy flavor (to an almost boozy extent), it just comes as a shock when expecting chocolate milk. It’s sweet as heck, and has tons of flavor, just in the wrong direction.
Hochwald Eisschoko (Box)
Chalky and a bit malty, but after each sip, the sides of my tongue want to create saliva— like your mouth is watering. Can’t say that is an appetizing image for anyone, but it’s truthful nonetheless. Taste is ok, but there will usually be a better option in your dairy case.
Hochwald Eisschoko (Can)
Tastes creamier than it should, despite the overly thickened texture. It’s more like a light milkshake than anything else-- there's a ton of salt and emulsification going on, but the cocoa flavor seemed to have been an afterthought. Attractive coloration, if you fancy bile.
Penny Schoko Drink (Whole)
Seemingly identical to the Gut & Günstig Schoko Drink from an ingredient profile, but the experience is different. This version feels less creamy and overall more bland.
Edeka Gut & Günstig Milch Drink Schokogeschmack
Nicely thin and smooth texture, but lacking much of a cocoa flavor for me. The primary taste is ‘sweet,’ and there’s not much else. I applaud the texture, but need more of everything else in order to get excited for the 2nd box.
Migros Energy Drink Choco
Bland and not very chocolaty. High degree of chalk, not as flavorful as the Emmi Energy Milk Choco. Very missable, but not offensive.
Leader Price Leader Up Boisson Lactee Au Cacao
Overall impression is bland and thicker than expected— both negative qualities. There is a hint of mineral-y taste that might not be detectable in a more flavorful drink. Doesn’t stand out.