Good quality cocoa powder?

[Anonymous]

Can anyone recommend a brand of cocoa powder that's maybe a little higher-end than the Hershey's I have languishing in my cupboard but not crazy expensive? I'm making a cake for a special occasion and we could probably do with a new can, but want to buy something good. We're in NoVa, so bonus points if I can get it at Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Mom's (or even someplace like Target or Safeway - I'm not picky, but I don't have time this week to hit Dean & Deluca). Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Try Droste. Should be available at Whole Foods.

http://www.droste.nl/english/

[Anonymous]

Pretty sure Droste is sold at wegmans too. I've seen some higher quality cocoa and baking choc there recently.

[Anonymous]

Hershey's does have a Dutch-processed cocoa that I've used to make a chocolate cake and homemade chocolate frosting. Definitely a step up from their normal cocoa powder.
In any case, I'd look for Dutch-processed cocoa - it has a better overall flavor.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks very much! I'm going to hit Wegman's later this week and see what they have.

[Anonymous]

Droste is dutch-process cocoa powder and Hershey's is regular ("natural") cocoa - dutch and natural cocoa aren't necessarily interchangeable, depending on the recipe.
If what you need is dutch process, Penzey's dutch cocoa tastes much better than Droste and is cheaper (although that really depends where you buy the Droste - it's often way overpriced). Penzey's also has regular cocoa powder, if your recipe calls for that. There's a Penzey's in Falls Church and one in Rockville.

[Anonymous]

I hear that the one at Williams-Sonoma is pretty good. Or, if you have some time, I LOVE the one that King Arthur sells.

[Anonymous]

Hershey's dark cocoa powder are dutch process (look it up). I've used Hershey's and others... Ghiradelli, Dagoba, Penzey's, Black's... I go back to Hershey's every time. The difference is mostly psychological, in my opinion, at least when it comes to powder form.