Ganache - Hot Chocolate

Tasted: Cinnamon Hot Chocolate / Soy Hot Chocolate

Price: $6.50

Rating: 4 stars / 4 stars 

Return: Yes, both were good hot chocolates

We have reviewed the cake we indulged in with our respective hot chocolates at renowned Melbourne chocolate store Ganache, but to be fair it was always about the hot chocolate - in my ever optimistic search for another dependable dispensary of good hot chocolate.  

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

One of my weaknesses is cinnamon, particularly when mixed well with chocolate (or apples, or cake, or any other yummy thing...) so Ganache's cinnamon hot chocolate was my obvious and easy choice.  

Although a little disappointed was I when it arrived sans one small, favourite and very important detail that Lily's hot chocolate had - and that is shavings of chocolate sitting atop of her beverage.  Mine just has a squiggle of topping, cute but not as indulgent.  But I do have good company, a little nutty biscuit beside my drink and the expectation of a good hot chocolate so will not complain.

But then dastardly  disappointment creeps in again, this time thanks to froth that is not overly present nor prominent.  I would have liked a bit more and for it to be a bit thicker in texture.  

But do not fret, it isn't all bad and things look up.  The texture isn't thick but does have some body to it so it isn't that insipid water consistency I so despise.  It has a good solid chocolate taste with a subtle cinnamon glow.  I do question for a little while whether more cinnamon would be an improvement - however I soon realise this is my folly and not the fault of the hot chocolate - I must learn to stir!  Because at the bottom sits a thick, sweet, spicy mass of cinnamon and chocolate which improves the flavour immensely. 

Summary

This is a pretty good hot chocolate that has a good consistency and a good chocolate profile, albeit requiring a stir for the flavour to properly kick in.  Parking problems aside (Ganache is located on the corner of Chapel street and Toorak Road) I would definitely be happy to partake again.  A very respectable 4 out of 5.

Soy Hot Chocolate

I'm always a little wary of soy drinks, but for those to whom lactose isn't kind it is a necessity.  And it appears Lily too can be wary of soy thanks to some less than great experiences.  

But certainly when her drink arrives it gets full ticks, not least as half the top is covered with coveted shavings of chocolate, with the other half swirly chocolate patterns.  And the goodness continues from here as the froth is thick, creamy and plentiful. And talking of creamy, Miss Lily very happily reports that the hot chocolate itself is creamy - apparently a feat for soy milk.  

And more good news, when it comes to taste this doesn't taste of soy to Lily's more experienced palate, nor my rather wary equivalent.  In fact, Lily is looking rather happy and at some point the words in heaven were exclaimed, and there may have even been eyes rolling back in her head, particularly when coupled with her accompanying raspberry chocolate mousse.

And with all characteristics, Lily christens this the best soy hot chocolate she has had.  However it does have one weakness - which is an appropriate word to use, as her drink is very mild in chocolate taste and could do with being a bit stronger (the chocolate flavour in my cinnamon hot chocolate is much stronger).  

Summary

So all in all, the lovely Lily rates this as a very good hot chocolate and gives it 4 out of 5. However she would have gone higher if it had a stronger chocolate presence.  But all the same a great find for the lactose challenged (and to be fair, the mild flavour at least works well with the rather decadent chocolate mousse).

Ganache Chocolate
250 Toorak Road, South Yarra
http://www.ganache.com.au/

Reviewers: Shari & Lily
24 April 2010

See review of our accompanying Raspberry & Chocolate Mousse and Orange and Cinnamon Cake here.