Fans of intense dark chocolate
You’re looking for a cocoa percentage linked to a specific part of the ice lolly, rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ alone.
Who are these options for?
Hosts who enjoy a bit of crunch
For drinks, you’re considering a dark chocolate shell with almonds or nuts, after checking that the allergens are suitable for your guests.
Shoppers who check pack size and ingredients
You compare the number of ice lollies, the ingredients and the nutritional information, without assuming that ‘dark chocolate’ alone tells you about the sugar or fat content.
What should you look for before buying?
When choosing dark ice lollies to serve on the terrace, first distinguish between the centre and the coating, then check the allergens and pack size.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate and cocoa | Check which part of the ice lolly a cocoa percentage refers to, then read the description of the centre. According to Carrefour France, Magnum Intense Dark combines a dark chocolate coating with 70% cocoa and milk chocolate ice cream. | If I’m looking for a pronounced dark chocolate flavour, I want to know whether the percentage applies to the shell or the whole recipe; around 42% of consumers put this distinction first. |
| Crunch and allergens | Check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ statements on the specific box, particularly for nuts. | When I’m serving several guests, a texture with almonds or nuts only works if their allergies allow it. Around 33% of consumers prioritise whether this option is suitable for them. |
| Pack size and label | Compare the number of lollies and the net weight. For nutritional values, use the same basis, such as the information per 100 g. | To share the ice lollies with drinks, I need to know the portions and be able to compare the labels; around 25% of consumers put this practical consideration first. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Assuming ‘dark’ describes the centre too
A dark coating can surround ice cream in a different flavour. Carrefour France, for example, describes Magnum Intense Dark as having a milk chocolate ice cream centre.
Read the descriptions of the ice cream and the coating separately. If the cocoa content is guiding your choice, check which component it applies to.
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Choosing a chocolate box without checking the allergens
Some recipes contain almonds or nuts. Other allergens may also be listed among the ingredients or possible traces.
Before serving several people, check the label for the exact product and take your guests’ stated allergies into account.
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Confusing the box weight with the size of an individual ice lolly
Pack sizes vary: E.Leclerc lists Trium in a box of four weighing 308 g, while Auchan lists Côte d'Or in a pack of four weighing 260 g and Ferrero Rondnoir in a pack of four weighing 200 g.
Check both the number of lollies and the net weight to work out what you’ll serve each guest.
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Leaving the ice lollies out on the terrace
For its frozen products, Carrefour France recommends storage at −18 °C and says not to refreeze a product once it has thawed.
Plan how you’ll transport them and take the ice lollies out when you’re ready to serve, rather than leaving the box outside throughout drinks.
Brands to know for this choice
These examples show how recipes can vary. Check the cocoa information, inclusions and allergens for each product, rather than assuming they apply to an entire brand.
Magnum
According to Carrefour France, Intense Dark has a dark chocolate coating containing 70% cocoa.
- The stated cocoa percentage explicitly refers to the coating.
- The centre is milk chocolate ice cream; the product information lists milk and soya, and says it may contain almonds.
Trium
E.Leclerc describes a box of four ice lollies with dark chocolate ice cream and a dark chocolate coating.
- The product information distinguishes between the ice cream, which makes up 72.8% of the product, and the coating, which makes up 27.2%.
- These proportions are not cocoa percentages and cannot be compared with the 70% stated for the coating on Magnum Intense Dark.
Ferrero Rondnoir
Auchan France lists Rondnoir in a box of four ice lollies, made with dark chocolate and cocoa.
- The product information states that the product contains 32.6% dark chocolate and 4% low-fat cocoa powder.
- Check the allergen information and possible traces carefully before sharing the box.
Côte d'Or
Auchan France describes an ice lolly with vanilla ice cream, dark chocolate and almonds.
- The recipe listed contains 36% dark chocolate and 6% chopped roasted almonds.
- Almonds are part of the recipe, and the product information also warns that other allergens may be present as traces.
NUII
The product described by Carrefour France combines dark chocolate, Brazil nuts and malt caramel sauce.
- This combination is for consumers who also enjoy a nutty texture and a hint of caramel.
- The recipe lists milk, soya, Brazil nuts, barley and wheat, among other ingredients. Check the full allergen information on the packaging.
Ice lollies available on Joybuy
These two individual formats suit different tastes when serving drinks: a chocolate ice lolly or a mini fruit sorbet with dark chocolate. If cocoa content is your priority, check which part of the product any stated percentage refers to on the packaging.
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POPELINO Intense Dark chocolate ice lollies, x4, 312 g
A sharing size if you’d like to serve chocolate ice lollies with drinks.
Box of four ice lollies, 312 g. If cocoa content is your main consideration, check the label to see which component any stated percentage refers to.
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PopFruit Mini Sorbet Sticks mango, passion fruit and dark chocolate, x6, 282 g
A fruity bite-sized option with dark chocolate, rather than chocolate ice cream.
Box of six mini ice lollies, 282 g. If you’re looking for a specific cocoa intensity, check the information on the box.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ mean the whole ice lolly is made with dark chocolate?
No. It may refer to the coating without describing the centre. For example, Carrefour France describes Magnum Intense Dark as milk chocolate ice cream covered in dark chocolate containing 70% cocoa. Read both parts of the description before choosing.
How can you compare two boxes when serving several people?
First compare the number of ice lollies and the net weight, then compare the nutritional values on the same basis. The French Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control states that nutrition declarations are given per 100 g or 100 ml, making it easier to compare labels side by side. A value per 100 g does not necessarily represent one whole ice lolly.
Which allergens should you check before sharing dark ice lollies?
Check the ingredients and possible traces on the packaging for each product. For example, Auchan France lists almonds in Côte d'Or ice lollies, while the NUII product described by Carrefour France contains Brazil nuts. These recipes also contain other allergens.
How should you store the ice lollies until you serve them on the terrace?
Keep them frozen until you’re ready to serve, following the instructions on the packaging. Carrefour France recommends storing its frozen products at −18 °C and says not to refreeze a product once it has thawed. Plan how you’ll transport them and don’t leave the box waiting on the terrace.