Wheat

• Most hot cocoa mixes do not contain wheat. Instant hot cocoa mix typically contains sugar, corn syrup, processed cocoa powder, hydrogenated oils, dairy product solids and various chemicals that flavor the mix or prevent flaking. Pure, processed dark cocoa powder is also wheat-free, although this product tastes very bitter and is made for baking or combining with sugar, rather than as an instant hot cocoa mix.

Gluten

• Although hot cocoa mixes might not contain wheat, they may contain ingredients made from wheat or wheat derivatives, and may contain gluten. Read the food label carefully and watch for ingredients such as malt, modified food starch, mono and di-glycerides or caramel coloring or flavoring. All these ingredients may potentially contain gluten.

Processing

• Even though a hot cocoa mix doesn't contain wheat, doesn't mean it's wheat-free. Hot cocoa mixes are often processed on equipment that is also used for processing wheat, which means trace amounts of wheat can end up in the mix. In this case, the wheat may not be mentioned in the ingredients panel.

Recommendations

• If you're trying to avoid wheat or gluten-containing foods, your best bet is to buy a hot cocoa mix labeled as certified gluten-free. You can also devise your own homemade hot cocoa mixes. For a non-instant mix, combine a few tablespoons of dark cocoa powder with 1 cup or more of sugar, depending on your taste preference. Add a tablespoon of this mix to a mug of heated milk and stir. For a homemade instant mix, combine sugar, dark cocoa powder and powdered milk. Add a tablespoon of this mixture to hot water for a gluten- and wheat-free mug of hot cocoa.