Organisers of group outings
If you regularly serve several people, individual sachets make it easy to hand out portions without sharing a large tub. For a picnic, also bring the liquid specified on the packaging, cups and something to stir with.
Who are these formats for?
People keeping an eye on their sugar intake
If the recipe matters more to you than the packaging, compare the sugar content shown in the nutrition information for the exact products. The Nutri-Score can also help you make a comparison when it appears on the packaging.
Groups with allergy concerns
Before sharing the drink, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings for each product: information about soya, milk and cereals containing gluten varies between recipes.
What should you check before buying?
To choose between sachets and powder you measure out yourself, start by thinking about how you’ll serve the drinks. Then check the recipe and the quantity you’ll be able to use and store.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | Number of sachets, amount per sachet and liquid needed to make the drink. | If I’m serving a group without measuring powder from a shared tub, I prefer individual portions; around 36% of consumers would prioritise this way of serving. |
| Sugar and nutrition information | Sugar per 100 g of powder, then the amount used per drink; don’t directly compare a figure for powder with one for a prepared drink. | When comparing several recipes, I want to understand their nutritional values before choosing a format. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the product you’re buying. | Before offering a drink to the group, I need to check that its ingredients are suitable for the people concerned; around 21% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Quantity and storage | Format, date shown on the packaging and storage instructions; plan where to keep the powder dry. | For occasional use, I’d rather choose an amount that suits my next few outings than buy a box that’s difficult to use up. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise this. |
Picnic pitfalls to avoid
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Ruling out a powder because it doesn’t display a Nutri-Score
According to France’s Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, displaying the Nutri-Score is voluntary in France, whereas a nutrition declaration is generally required for prepacked food.
Compare sugar content on the same basis, then check the ingredients and serving size. Use the Nutri-Score as an additional guide when it’s shown.
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Assuming sachets are ready-to-drink
The box of 240 Nesquik sachets described by Coffee-Webstore contains powder to mix with hot or cold milk. Individual portions make it easier to hand out, but they don’t make preparation at the park any easier.
Before choosing this box, plan how you’ll transport the milk and bring cups and something to stir with.
You’ll also need to carry the liquid, cups and something to stir with.
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Assuming all powders contain the same allergens
The recipes covered here have different ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings. So if you switch brand or variant, check the packaging again.
Before sharing, check the ingredients list and highlighted allergens on the product you receive.
Brands to consider by format
These brands offer examples of packaging and recipes worth checking; their inclusion here doesn’t mean they all sell a box of 240 sachets.
Nesquik
Worth considering for individual portions or powder you measure out yourself, depending on the product.
- Coffee-Webstore describes a box of 240 Nesquik sachets, each weighing 13,5 g.
- Check the exact recipe and preparation method: don’t assume all variants are the same.
Banania
A powder you measure out yourself if you prefer making drinks from a shared container.
- Banania offers its Original powder in 250 g, 400 g and 1 kg formats.
- The Original recipe includes wheat and barley, among other ingredients; check the label if these are a concern for anyone in your group.
Poulain
Another cocoa powder to compare if you’re looking for a format you can measure out yourself.
- Carrefour lists Poulain Grand Arôme, including an 800 g format.
- If you’re serving a group, check the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose.
Carrefour Classic'
A supermarket own-brand powder to consider among formats designed for sharing.
- Carrefour offers Classic' packs in 400 g and 800 g sizes.
- These tubs need to be measured out when serving; check the nutrition information and allergens for the exact product.
Marque Repère / E.Leclerc
Worth considering if you’re making several drinks from a shared container.
- E.Leclerc offers P'TIT DELI instant chocolate drink powder, including a 1 kg format.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and instructions on the packaging of the product you choose.
Joybuy products to consider
These products include individual sachets in boxes of 10 and powders you measure out yourself in 400 g or 800 g packs. Choose according to how much you need to serve and what you can prepare at the park; these formats aren’t the same as a box of 240 sachets.
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DAMTUH Pokémon Sugar Free, 10 x 20 g sachets
Individual sachets are handy if you want to hand out portions without measuring powder from a shared tub. The box contains 10 sachets of 20 g, not 240 portions; check the preparation method and allergens for this variant before serving it to the group.
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DAMTUH Pokémon hot chocolate, 10 x 20 g sachets
This pack makes it easy to hand out individual portions on a small group outing. It contains 10 sachets of 20 g, not 240; check the preparation instructions and allergens before deciding what liquid to bring.
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BENCO Less Sugar, 400 g chocolate granules
This 400 g format is suited to anyone who’d rather measure powder from a shared container than hand out sachets. If you’re serving drinks at the park, bring a measuring spoon and follow the preparation instructions on the packaging.
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NESTLÉ NESQUIK, 800 g cocoa drink powder
This 800 g pack is suited to making drinks at a fixed serving point where you can measure out the powder, rather than handing out sachets. It isn’t the box of 240 sachets: check the instructions, ingredients and required liquid before your outing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nutri-Score compulsory on chocolate powder sold in France?
No. According to France’s Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, displaying the Nutri-Score is voluntary. Prepacked food generally has to carry a nutrition declaration, so you can compare sugar and other nutritional values even when the logo isn’t shown.
Can you make hot chocolate sachets with water at the park?
Don’t assume water is suitable for every product. For the box of 240 Nesquik sachets, Coffee-Webstore says to mix the powder with hot or cold milk. Follow the instructions for the product you buy, and bring cups and something to stir with.
What should you check before sharing chocolate powder with a group?
Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging of the product you receive. The recipes covered here differ in their information about milk, soya and cereals containing gluten, among other things; the brand name alone isn’t enough to judge a particular variant.