323868 Thu Sep 07 01:13:39 -0700 2006 9 31 Home Cooking 0 1858887 I need opinions on the best kind of cocoa powder for baking. Thu Sep 07 01:13:39 -0700 2006 35783 foodISlove 1 1858968 Valhrona has the darkest, nicest smelling cocoa powder I've used, but it's very expensive. Same goes for Scharffenberger, plus neither is very widely available. Penzey's I haven't tried, but I hear it's great. I use Ghiardelli's most of the time because it's pretty cheap but still better than Hershey's (in both smell and color). Hershey's I use in a pinch to no ill effect. Nestle's is awful. Thu Sep 07 01:50:27 -0700 2006 1858887 11577 Pei 2 1860959 I've tried Ghiardelli's and it was really bad - it had a chalky alkali aftertaste. I would not recommend that. Thu Sep 07 20:54:37 -0700 2006 1858968 16085 zorgclyde 1 1859182 Hershey's makes two kinds, regular and "Dutch Process" which reduces the acidity. America's Test Kitchen found the Dutch Process type had a better chocolate flavor, for whatever that may be worth. Thu Sep 07 03:33:05 -0700 2006 1858887 17327 rootlesscosmo 1 1859186 I love Penzeys!! -Becca Thu Sep 07 03:37:38 -0700 2006 1858887 11259 Becca Porter 1 1859626 Another vote for Penzey's. I'm also very fond of Droste, both for drinking and for baking. Thu Sep 07 13:19:27 -0700 2006 1858887 18512 Allstonian 1 1860021 Hershey's no longer makes the "European style" that America's Test Kitchen liked. The new Special Dark is awful. Over-alkalized - just black in color - no flavor! We just picked up some Dagoba cocoa powder to try. Thu Sep 07 16:01:24 -0700 2006 1858887 15001 jsaimd 1 1860032 I use Callebaut, and really like it http://www.bernardcallebaut.com/users/folder.asp Thu Sep 07 16:03:56 -0700 2006 1858887 10580 Betty 1 1860112 I have used a lot of cocoa in the past few years. My preference is for Dutch-processed cocoas, which have a mellow flavor and deep color. The best cocoas I've found are: Green and Black's (organic,from Whole Foods) Pernigotti (from Williams-Sonoma or Chefshop) Valrhona (Williams-Sonoma) King Arthur Baker's Catalogue sells a couple of very good brands in large packages that are slightly more economical to use - Bensdorp and Schokinag. Penzey's is another good choice in this category. Droste is available in most supermarkets. It has become quite expensive, but is definitely an outstanding product. Have fun! Thu Sep 07 16:26:57 -0700 2006 1858887 23506 btnfood 1 1860318 I buy Valhrona in bulk from Whole Foods (SF Bay Area). Thu Sep 07 17:34:01 -0700 2006 1858887 14047 TerriL