"If that sounds like luscious interplay (as we had hoped), don't be deceived. Quoth our taste-tester, "the hot chocolate was watery rather than rich and milky, and it left an odd, almost alcoholic aftertaste that may have been the result of artificial syrup." As for that caramel drizzle, it "might as well have been forgotten since we couldn't detect any caramel notes in the drink at all.""
"To help steer foodies right, Tasting Table ranked 16 hot chocolates from popular chain coffee shops, and (cocoa-lovers, be warned) we found that Panera Bread's hot chocolate misses the mark. This rating continues an unflattering quality assessment for the chain; in another recent review, we sent a taste-tester to sample Panera's latest seasonal offerings - a yuletide expedition which resulted in an appraisal titled "I Tried Everything on Panera' Holiday Menu, and Honestly ... Meh" (yikes)."
Tasting Table evaluated 16 chain hot chocolates and rated Panera Bread's offering poorly. The official product description cites bittersweet chocolate-flavored syrup mixed with foamed milk, topped with whipped cream and drizzled with caramel. A taste tester reported the beverage was watery rather than rich and milky, produced an odd, almost alcoholic aftertaste possibly from artificial syrup, and showed no detectable caramel notes. Panera removed hot chocolate from its permanent menu over a year ago due to changes with its chocolate syrup, has reintroduced it intermittently, and currently lists a 16-ounce limited signature hot chocolate at $4.29.
Read at Tasting Table
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