local flavor The search is on for the best cup o' cocoa in Midd

Author: Tamara Hilmes with help from Jay Dolan

Juice Bar not satisfying your hot chocolate needs? Have no fear - inspired by the wintry wonderland that Middlebury became under the second snowfall of the year, The Campus went in search of the best cup of hot chocolate in Middlebury, and this is what we found.


Middlebury Bagel and Delicatessen

Should you be forced to brave the frosty conditions this winter to retrieve shampoo or other essentials from Shaw's, or if you find the need to buy organic food from the Co-op, you will most likely end up wandering, nearly frost-bitten, down Washington St. If you find yourself in this situation mid-Winter Term, be sure to stop in the sanctuary that is Middlebury Bagel and Deli once you have finished your shopping. The bagel shop, located in the white building next to the Co-op, offers serve-yourself hot chocolate located just to the right of their delectable bagel display. If your mind is so numb from the cold that you are able to ignore the piles of freshly-baked goods, fill yourself up a huge mug or convenient to-go cup with the rich and creamy hot chocolate that is literally waiting at your finger tips. One push of the orange button and your body (and soul) are on their way to being reheated with chocolately goodness. True, it is from a machine, but the robot-produced beverage at Middlebury Bagel is still several steps above that found in Atwater or Ross. And seriously, when near the point of passing out in a snow bank alongside the road, who cares whether your cocoa was steamed by a machine or by hand? Plus, if you ask the person behind the counter, they will even add a dollop of fresh whipped cream on top. Now that is what we call sweet service. And even better than the super-friendly service - a small cup will only cost you a little over a dollar.


Noonies Deli

If not Washington Street, but Marble Works is your destination, do not fret - Noonies Deli is more than capable of satisfying your hot chocolate fix. Located in the strip closest to the bridge and downtown, Noonies is the perfect escape from the brutal Vermont cold. While like Middlebury Bagel, Noonies offers machine-prepared cocoa, that is no reason to rule out this steaming-hot beverage. Noonies serves up the cocoa in convenient to-go cups, perfect for the non-stationary student. The cups all reflect Noonies slightly quirky character - they are bright orange with the words "Cool Beans" scrawled across their surface. The small eight-ounce cup is especially adorable, and a much more efficient hand-warmer than even the thickest wool mittens. But do not feel like the establishment is kicking you to the curb by offering you a to-go cup - Noonies has a great little seating area with little tables reminiscent of a cafÈ, though with better lighting. The small dining area offers the perfect haven from the bitter cold while you sip your cocoa. At only $1.05 per cup, you simply cannot go wrong - just beware of Noonies legendary subs or you might end up leaving with hot chocolate in one hand and a sandwich in the other.


Carol's Hungry Mind CafÈ

If you are looking for the most classic cocoa experience, trust your instincts and slip and slide your way through the snow to Carol's Hungry Mind. The staple downtown coffee shop caters to the cocoa drinker's needs as well. The standard cup of hot chocolate is made by the barista before your eyes with your choice of steamed skim or whole milk. The whirring noise of the espresso machine adds nice ambiance while you wait, and when the steaming process is complete, you are presented with a dilemma: whipped cream or no whipped cream. Although the cocoa is hand-steamed, the cream came out of a can - don't get us wrong though - it is still quite delicious. The presentaion of this cup was also the best of the four. The classic porcelain mug filled to the brim with cocoa and topped with a perfect swirl of whipped cream that Carol's sets down in front of you really is the stuff of dreams.


Sama's CafÈ

The theory behind hot chocolate is quite simple - when it is cold outside, you want something warm to drink. The trick to a delectable cup, however, is to get the cocoa not too hot and not too cold, but rather Goldilocks-style - just right. Sama's, located in Middlebury Market, has truely mastered the art of the perfect hot chocolate temperature. What's more, because you evade burnt-tongue syndrome, you are truly able to enjoy the Hershey's chocolate-infused flavor that makes this cup of hot chocoloate truly special. One sip and you are transported back to your grandma's kitchen, when she used to melt bars of chocolate into milk on the stovetop. So the next time that you are tempted to curb your cocoa craving at the Juice Bar, you may want to reconsider. After all, the walk to Middlebury Market may be just as short as the one to McCullough, and at $1.50 a cup compared to the Juice Bar's $1.95, the price is most definitely right.