Liquid chocolate

What exactly is Starbucks's new Chantico Drinking Chocolate?

The Web site calls it a "drinkable dessert," and a company fact sheet compares its calories to brownies, tiramisu, cheesecake, and other solid desserts. But most people will think of Chantico as hot chocolate. (It's a warm chocolate beverage served in a cup, after all.)

And, since most customers order off the menu board, not the Web site or a fact sheet, they won't have a clue that the petite, six-ounce cup harbors 390 calories and 10 grams--half a day's worth--of artery-clogging saturated fat.

Granted, Starbucks's ordinary Hot Chocolate isn't exactly diet food. Order a Tall with no special instructions and it'll come with whole milk, whipped cream, 340 calories, and 11 grams of saturated fat. But at least you can slim it down to 190 calories and zero sat fat by getting it with fat-free milk and no whipped cream.

In contrast, the Chantico comes whipless. And even though Starbucks calls it a "high-quality, indulgent dessert," many folks will order it with a scone, muffin, brownie, cookie, or other indulgent dessert.

As if the American waistline hadn't already indulged enough.

Starbucks: (800) 235-2883.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Center for Science in the Public Interest
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group