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Backpacker Magazine – February/March 2013

Backpacker-Friendly Chocolate

Cocoa packs high energy and healthy antioxidants, and our testing revealed the best-tasting, most-meltproof varieties for the trail.

by: Kristy Holland

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Best-tasting, most melt-proof chocolate varieties (Photo by Andrew Bydlon)

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Best-tasting, most melt-proof chocolate varieties (Photo by Andrew Bydlon)

Grape-Nut-size pieces of actual cocoa bean (Photo by Andrew Bydlon)

Photo by BP0313SKIL_BYDLON_Nips_bjk_445x260.jpg

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Grape-Nut-size pieces of actual cocoa bean (Photo by Andrew Bydlon)

Photo by BP0313SKIL_BYDLON_HotCoco_bjk_445x260.jpg

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Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Skills

Drinks

Best for Nightcaps; calming the kids

Beta With twice the antioxidants of a glass of red wine, plus comfort-food nostalgia, hot chocolate is an ideal camp drink. We hit the sweet spot for most brands by adding 20 percent more powder than the package directions suggest and using milk (instead of water) when possible.

Prepping After dissolving mix in hot liquid, allow it to steep for up to 10 minutes for richer taste and silkier texture.

Buying tip Opt for mixes made with milk powder. Bring marshmallows!

Top pick Testers favored our own recipe (right), but Land O’Lakes Cocoa Classics Supreme Mix ($26 for 36 packets; landolakes.com) stood out for its richness and strong, chocolatey flavor.