Review: Godiva Belgian Blends Dark Chocolate Mocha
Since I first heard that Godiva and Coke were going to try and muscle in on Starbucks territory with their own blended coffee drinks (Godiva Belgian Blends) I’ve been looking forward to giving them a try. My shopping habits, however, tend not to take me to the coffee aisle in the grocery store that often (and not to a “traditional” grocery store very often either) so even though they launched the product this past summer I just saw them for the first time this week. And of course I bought one and it should be no shock that I went for the Dark Chocolate Mocha.
The bottle is moderately attractive with a nice wraparound label. Following the label to the back of the bottle we get to the ingredients, which I was curious about. The chocolate in it is in the form of cocoa powder (and sugar for sweetness) which surprised me. I sort of expected actual chocolate, but good cocoa can be a fine thing. What surprised me most about the ingredients is the fact that they added caffeine when they already have coffee and chocolate. Maybe people have a certain “kick” expectation of these drinks that I just don’t have and they’re catering to that, but to me it just doesn’t seem necessary.
Ok, ingredients aside, how does it taste? I can sum it up in three words: smooth, sweet, and mild. When I drink a coffee drink I expect some strength and there’s nowhere near enough coffee to this. And there certainly isn’t a lot of chocolate to it either and as milky as the drink is I consider the “dark chocolate” label laughable. It’s a flavored milk drink if you ask me. Milk is the main ingredient and it shows in the flavor. It was nice in a sort of chocolate milk way, but it really doesn’t deliver very well on the promise of the product.
If you have the Godiva name on the label you should deliver some chocolate flavor. This fails to deliver much chocolate or coffee. It’s probably made that way to be accessible to as wide an audience as possible, but I think if you are making a drink that is supposed to be “more decadent than just plain coffee” it needs to be more than milk with a little coffee and chocolate along for the ride. It wasn’t bad, but I expect something more than this. Six out of ten. Color me disappointed.
Comments
Kat Said:
I didn't even know they came out with these. I think I would be disappointed too since it isn't too chocolatey.
Posted by: Kat | November 10, 2006 3:28 AM
s.k Said:
Very disappointing indeed. i was thinking about trying these drinks ,but now i am not too sure. As a chocolate lover, my drinks better have some chocolate flavoring to it, especially if it is made by Godiva!!!!!!
Posted by: s.k | November 11, 2006 8:24 PM
s.k Said:
Very disappointing indeed. i was thinking about trying these drinks ,but now i am not too sure. As a chocolate lover, my drinks better have some chocolate flavoring to it, especially if it is made by Godiva!!!!!!
Posted by: s.k | November 11, 2006 8:25 PM
cat name Said:
well i had found one of these at a gas station on trip home from fl. i often buy frap. by star bucks but had to try the dark choc. godiva. i loved loved it. i thought it was very chocolatey, if that is a word:) not very coffee flavored if that is what you are looking for. have been looking for it every time i shop here in my small town. here it is 4 mo. later and i just found it. i bought 2 packs. i think it is a yummy treat to start , some, of my days. cant find the caffiene content though and i know a frapp. is about 80.
Posted by: cat name | January 21, 2007 9:55 AM
Salma Said:
I Just bought the Milk chocotate one. They caught my attention in a cooler that was located near the check out at Walmart. I am an advid GODIVA fan and let me tell you, this is one smmoth drink. It can't even be compaired to Starbucks. I think there is just the right blend of Chocolate and Coffee, neither one over powering the other. I'm hooked!!
Posted by: Salma | January 23, 2007 10:13 AM
Erin Said:
I just called about the caffeine content and was directed to another number. The drinks are actually made by Coca Cola, not Godiva. The French Vanilla latte has 71 mg/9.5 oz, Milk Chocolate 54 mg/9.5 oz, Dark Chocolate 74 mg/9.5 oz
Posted by: Erin | February 10, 2007 9:21 AM
William Said:
So all of them have less caffeine than a cup of coffee but more than a can of coke.
Posted by: William | February 10, 2007 9:44 AM
Tom Said:
cool blog!
Posted by: Tom | April 9, 2007 6:38 AM
Carrie Said:
I only bought the drink once before they took it off the shelf at the store I shop at, but I am addicted!!!!!!!!! I can't find it anywhere now and am soooo disappointed. I thought it was the perfect blend of coffee and chocolate and I also LOVED their french vanilla latte.
Posted by: Carrie | May 10, 2007 3:00 PM
Carrie Said:
I only bought the drink once before they took it off the shelf at the store I shop at, but I am addicted!!!!!!!!! I can't find it anywhere now and am soooo disappointed. I thought it was the perfect blend of coffee and chocolate and I also LOVED their french vanilla latte.
Posted by: Carrie | May 10, 2007 3:01 PM
William Said:
Keep looking! I can usually find it in the coffee aisle at the store and in the cooler at the mini-mart. It might just be a matter of trying someplace you never expected to find it. I'm finding it in drug stores locally and occasionally there will be a separate cooler in the store just for the BBs. One other route you might try is to try and figure out who distributes the drinks in your area and they can usually point you in the direction of some. It worked when I was trying to find my boss some Red Bull back before it was big in the states. You might get lucky.
Posted by: William | May 10, 2007 6:55 PM
Bill Kesterson Said:
I just want to know wher you can buy it by the CASE, that is, "Godiva Belgian Blends" Can you offer a discount on quantity, say, like a pickup truck load. .........I 'm serious. Bill K.
Posted by: Bill Kesterson | August 5, 2007 3:38 AM
Bill Kesterson Said:
I just want to know wher you can buy it by the CASE, that is, "Godiva Belgian Blends" Can you offer a discount on quantity, say, like a pickup truck load. .........I 'm serious. Bill K.
Posted by: Bill Kesterson | August 5, 2007 3:42 AM
Carla fromfl Said:
It delivers deliciously exactly what I was looking for: a refreshing chocolate drink with an added " pick me up". Sooooo much better than Starbuck, yet so much harder to find....
Posted by: Carla fromfl | January 17, 2008 12:46 PM
Vicki Said:
I love the stuff and now can't get it becaues thse stores that had it are out and keep ordering it but aren't getting it. Don't know if there's some problem with Pepsi or not. But I really love the stuff and wish I knew somewhere else I could get it.
Posted by: Vicki | July 24, 2008 10:03 AM
Karen Said:
I keep looking in different places and I clean out their coolers every time I find them. Why is Coca Cola being stingy with these?? SO hard to find...and I am addicted to the Dark Mocha Belgian Blends. I have never liked Star Bucks and don't see the thrill, but maybe that's because I prefer chocolate over coffee!
Posted by: Karen | September 3, 2008 10:07 AM