Ensure that the cocoa has not been bulked up with flour or cheaper ingredients. The best variety, known as Caracas, is from Venezuela. Mix cocoa with hot milk or boiling water to make a drink ...

The less fat there is in the cocoa powder, the more starch there is. And starch is a complex carb that loves to absorb any moisture, which increases the chance of you ending up with dry ...

It's usually mixed with other types of cocoa powder, though, as black cocoa on its own can produce dry, unappetizing pastries ...