I have always used Hershey's from the grocery store because that is what is easiest to obtain.  

What kinds do you all use?

What kind of differences do you experience with different brands?

Any input you would like to contribute is greatly appreciated. 

i've tried other brands and i just like hershey's -- if i was still doing cakes i'd get some of the black cocoa from king arthur so i could do black icing without as much food color but i've tried the different brands and i'm not impressed -- ok second favorite cocoa? nestle's -- it's like hershey's with a spring in it's step -- very good also -- but a nice diversion not the main event --

i saw marcel desaulniers on tv --the guy who wrote the death by chocolate book -- and he said he used Baker's unsweetened chocolate in his desserts -- if it works for him...'it' being 'common' grocery store chocolate -- if it ain't broke right --

you just can't beat a nostalgic favorite --

although my favorite chocolate chips for eating out of the bag are ghirardeli milk choco and for cookies it's ghiradelli bittersweet -- i love warm flowy belgian chocolate -- omg -- but i just bought a bag of hershey's kisses at the store too go figure ;)

I don't bake enough to constitute the cost of ordering expensive chocolate.  Especially if the difference isn't grand.  I just wanted some input from the community.  Thanks.  I do want to try the high-ratio shortening to see if it makes a huge difference in BC's.

I like the Hershey's brand, I find that it gives a darker chocolate color to cakes and BC than the Nestle's brand.  But cocoa is one thing that I will not branch out to the generic form of.

I appreciate the responses so far.  

^^ I second that! No connoisseurs at our house either.

I know some think the more expensive means better, which in reality is not always the case.  I'm glad to be getting some realistic input on this topic!  

I like Valrhona and Guittard cocoa powder.

I prefer Cacao Barry Cocoa Powder - 100% Cocoa - Extra Brute. You can get it on amazon with the link belowe. I know the $25 seems steep but you get 2.2 lbs which I think actually works out to be cheaper then Hesheys. I also really like Hersheys but the Cacao Barry just takes it up a level with the complexity of flavor, it also makes a devine chocolate fudge frosting :)

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BLTNL4Q/?tag=cakecentral-20

I buy Callebaut cocoa powder from Winco at $3.65/lb. If I can't get out there I buy Hersheys.