For a self-service christening buffet, individual sachets make it easy to count portions without leaving a shared tub out for everyone to use. If one person is preparing the drinks, a tub or pouch can work just as well, provided you follow the instructions for the recipe you choose. A larger pack is most worthwhile if you’re expecting to serve lots of drinks or plan to use the powder again. In every case, compare the sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens for the exact product you’re considering.
If guests will be making their own drinks, individual sachets avoid the need to share a tub and make it easier to count portions. Check how many drinks you plan to serve. For example, Carrefour France lists a Nestlé product containing 12 sachets of 13.5 g each.
If one person will measure out the powder before serving, a tub or pouch makes it easy to prepare each cup according to the recipe instructions. The 400 g Banania pouch listed by Auchan France recommends 15 g of powder per 20 cL of milk.
If sugars, ingredients or allergens will influence your choice, compare the labels of the specific products you’re considering. The Nutri-Score can also be useful when it appears on the pack, but it doesn’t replace the nutritional information.
First decide who will prepare the drinks, then choose the amount of powder and recipe to suit the number of cups you expect to serve.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and serving | The number and weight of sachets, or the recommended amount per drink. | When everyone is serving themselves, I want to be able to count the portions without leaving an open tub on the table. Around 42% of consumers are said to prioritise individual portions. |
| Ingredients | Sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens for the exact product. | If I’m comparing several recipes for the buffet, I want to know what each one contains before serving it. Ingredients are said to be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| How much you need | The number of drinks you expect to serve and the amount of powder required according to the recommended serving size. | For a small buffet, I’d rather choose a pack size to suit the cups I actually plan to serve than open a large pack. Around 25% of consumers are said to prioritise working out how much they need. |
An individual sachet contains a pre-measured portion, but that may not be the right amount for every recipe. If you choose a tub, use a measure that matches the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t work out how many cups a pack will make from its weight alone, either: recommended amounts vary between products.
A chocolate bite isn’t a portion of hot chocolate powder to mix into a drink. For individual servings, look for sachets; if you’re preparing the drinks yourself, consider tubs and pouches.
Check how many sachets are included, or have a measure ready that matches the recommended amount for the powder you’ve chosen.
These claims don’t mean the same thing. The Auchan France listing for Poulain Grand Arôme Moins de Sucres 400 g states that the powder contains 52 g of sugars per 100 g.
Check the sugars per 100 g for the exact product, then take into account the amount you’ll use and the other ingredients in the drink.
France’s Ministry of Agriculture says that displaying the Nutri-Score on the front of a pack is optional in France. So its absence alone doesn’t tell you what a powder contains.
If it is displayed, consider it alongside the nutritional information, ingredients, allergens and recommended serving size.
The weight of a pack won’t tell you how many guests will choose a chocolate drink. You may have some powder left over after the christening.
Estimate how many drinks you’ll serve, follow the recommended amount for the product you’ve chosen, then decide which pack size you need.
These brands offer examples of different pack sizes and recipes to compare. Always check the label of the exact product you plan to serve.
Carrefour France lists a range of Nesquik powders, including larger packs, in its hot chocolate powder section.
The range includes Grand Arôme Moins de Sucres in a 400 g pack, listed by Auchan France.
Auchan France lists a 400 g pouch of Banania hot chocolate powder, with serving instructions for making it with milk.
Carrefour France lists a 400 g tub of Carrefour Classic' hot chocolate powder, among other products.
Auchan France’s range includes unsweetened cocoa and Cao Kido instant granules in a 400 g pack. These are different recipes.
This selection includes individual sachets for serving one drink at a time, as well as powders in shared packs that you measure out when preparing the drinks. Choose according to how you’re organising the buffet, and check the ingredients for each product.
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The ten individual sachets make it easy to count portions for a self-service buffet. Before choosing this recipe, check its ingredients and allergens. A claim on the front of the pack won’t tell you everything about what it contains.
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This 300 g pack is suitable when you’ll be measuring out the powder to prepare the drinks. Have a measuring spoon ready, and check the pack for instructions, sugar content and allergens for this product.
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The 400 g pack can be measured out by the person preparing the drinks. Check the pack for the amount to use per cup and for allergen information. Don’t assume it has the same ingredients as another Poulain product.
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This 400 g tub is suitable for drinks that you’ll measure out as you prepare them. ‘Less sugar’ doesn’t mean sugar-free: compare the nutritional information for this product and follow its serving instructions.
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The six individual sachets make it easy to count drinks for the buffet. Check that there are enough for the number you plan to serve, and read the nutritional information and allergen details on the pack.
No. The documentation from the Official Bulletin of Public Finances – Tax relates to charges applicable to non-alcoholic drinks; it doesn’t mean that dry powder should automatically be treated as a taxable drink. Comparing the sugar content of the powder is a separate step when choosing which recipe to serve.
No. France’s Ministry of Agriculture says that displaying the Nutri-Score on the front of a pack is optional in France. The European Commission states that most pre-packed foods must carry a nutrition declaration. Use this, along with the ingredients and allergen information, to compare products, whether or not they display the Nutri-Score.
Start with the number of drinks you expect to serve and the recommended amount for the product you’ve chosen. For its 400 g Banania pouch, Auchan France recommends 15 g of powder per 20 cL of milk. That works out at around 26 theoretical servings, before allowing for spillage or waste. For sachets, count the number in the pack: the Nestlé product listed by Carrefour France contains 12 sachets of 13.5 g each.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for every product you use, then keep the packaging to hand during the buffet. For example, the Auchan France listing for Poulain Grand Arôme Moins de Sucres 400 g warns that it may contain milk and soya. Don’t assume the same applies to every Poulain powder.