Chocolate Chiffon Cake

[Dailey]

I don't know where you live, but the darkest cocoa I've ever seen is Hershey's Special Dark cocoa, and that is very widely available at supermarkets in the US. It is a dutched, or alkalized cocoa, and to me it tastes an awful lot like Oreo cookies. Personally I prefer dutched cocoa, but this variety is actually over-dutched, and makes for cakes that look almost black. Hershey's first version of dutch cocoa -- Hershey's European Style cocoa, was actually much better.

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[Patrick S]

I live in Singapore and in the supermarkets we have Hershey's Cocoa but not Special Dark.  We also have Ghirardelli but I haven't seen any feedback that puts it above VH either.  I guess if I tried harder I might be able to get Valrhona from some of the commercial suppliers but from what you say it doesn't sound like it's worth it...

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FYI-- Between Ghirardelli and regular Hershey's, I would definitely choose Hershey's. Ghirardelli doesn't taste good at all! Just my opinion, of course.

[LittleIsland]

FYI-- Between Ghirardelli and regular Hershey's, I would definitely choose Hershey's. Ghirardelli doesn't taste good at all! Just my opinion, of course.

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Good, that saves me forking out the extra for Ghirardelli since I totally trust your opinion Patrick! I have not bought regular Hershey's as it's not dutched. Can't say I'm an Oreo cookie fan either.

[iii_bake]

I live in Singapore and in the supermarkets we have Hershey's Cocoa but not Special Dark.  We also have Ghirardelli but I haven't seen any feedback that puts it above VH either.  I guess if I tried harder I might be able to get Valrhona from some of the commercial suppliers but from what you say it doesn't sound like it's worth it...

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FYI-- Between Ghirardelli and regular Hershey's, I would definitely choose Hershey's. Ghirardelli doesn't taste good at all! Just my opinion, of course.

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I have one can (?) of Ghirardelli...bought from S'pore..thinking i would like to try because we only have Hershey's, Van houten on supermarket shelves..I order Lindt and VH from the hotel suppliers.

Your comment does give me a bit at rest...if hershey's is your pick. But as Littleisland said...it is not dutched...The dutched one i sometime use the brand that has a drawing of nurse carrying the cocoa cup ( god, forgot the name!) on the side of the can.

I think I'll start working on the chiffon with Ghirardelli until i am half the way to success Then i'll switch to VH when i know my way around better.

I f any of you can give me advices or warnings before i jump on the wagon, I'd appreciate it. please do help.

Thnx.

[miladyinsanity]

LittleIsland, I'll PM you, but you know, it's actually cheaper to buy Valrhona cocoa in bulk here (9.50 for a kilo) than Van Houten. You can also find Hershey's Special Dark here, but you have to really look to find it.