Fans of rich cocoa flavours
They’re looking for a dark chocolate flavour and want to know whether a stated percentage refers to the cocoa in the coating or the chocolate in the whole product.
Who are these options for?
Shoppers mindful of crunch and allergens
They’re choosing an afternoon treat for someone whose texture preferences or dietary restrictions mean it’s important to check the coating, any inclusions and the label.
People planning a treat to share
They want to choose between individual ice lollies and ice cream to serve, while planning a drink to go with it and taking the recipient’s dietary guidance into account.
What should you look for before buying?
When choosing an afternoon treat for an older person, start with the cocoa flavour you’re after, then check what will be enjoyable to bite into and easy to serve.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa flavour | Check whether the stated percentage refers to the cocoa in a coating or the chocolate in the finished product. Read the recipe description too. | I’m mainly looking for a strong cocoa flavour and want to understand what the figure on the box measures; around 42% of consumers would make this intensity their priority. |
| Texture and allergens | Check the coating, any inclusions and the allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re considering. | The person I’m buying for avoids crunchy textures or certain ingredients; texture and composition would come first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Portion and serving | Compare the number of ice lollies with the format you’ll be serving, then follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | I want to serve a clearly defined portion and provide a drink alongside it; around 25% of consumers would put planning the treat first. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Comparing percentages that measure different things
According to the Auchan and Carrefour listings, the 70% cocoa in the Magnum Intense Dark coating and the 55.3% chocolate in the finished Carrefour Sensation Double Chocolat product refer to two different measures.
Before comparing two boxes, check which part of the recipe each percentage applies to.
-
Assuming a crunchy coating will suit everyone
Auchan describes the Magnum Intense Dark coating as crunchy, while Ferrero Rondnoir also contains cocoa pieces. These textures may not suit the person you’re buying for.
Ask them what kind of crunch they enjoy before choosing an ice lolly with a coating or inclusions.
-
Relying on the flavour name alone to check for allergens
Ingredients and the possibility of traces vary from one product to another. The French Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds shoppers that allergenic ingredients must be clearly highlighted on the label.
Read the information on the box you’re going to serve, even if you’ve bought the product before.
-
Making ice cream the only part of the treat
Manger Bouger says that the sensation of thirst can decrease with age and that nutritional needs don’t necessarily decrease in people over 75.
Provide a drink separately. If the recipient follows individual dietary guidance, take it into account before choosing a dessert.
Brands to know
Magnum
The Intense Dark product is a good option if you’re looking for a specific feature: an ice lolly with a dark chocolate coating that states its cocoa content.
- Auchan’s listing states that the coating contains 70% cocoa and that the box contains three 100 ml ice lollies.
- This figure doesn’t describe the whole ice lolly. The coating is crunchy; the recipe contains milk and soya and may contain almonds.
Carrefour Sensation
Double Chocolat combines chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce and a dark chocolate coating in a box of four ice lollies.
- Carrefour states that chocolate makes up 55.3% of the finished product.
- This isn’t a cocoa percentage. The recipe lists milk, lactose and soya, as well as several allergens that may be present in traces.
Ferrero Rondnoir
According to Auchan’s listing, these ice lollies combine cocoa ice cream, a dark chocolate coating and cocoa pieces.
- The pieces add a distinct crunch, so you know what to expect before buying.
- The coating and pieces may not suit someone who prefers a less crunchy texture; check the allergens on the box too.
Mucci
The product listed by ALDI is a tub of dark chocolate ice cream to share, rather than an individual ice lolly.
- The 500 g tub contains pieces of dark chocolate, and you can serve the portions yourself.
- Check the packaging of the product you buy for its ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Ice lollies available on Joybuy
These two individual formats suit different tastes: a dark chocolate ice lolly or a mini mango and passion fruit sorbet with dark chocolate. If you’re looking for a specific cocoa content, check the packaging before you choose.
Image unavailable
POPELINO Intense Dark Chocolate Ice Lollies, 4 sticks, 312 g
Worth considering if dark chocolate is the main thing you’re looking for. The box contains four ice lollies weighing 312 g in total. Check the packaging for the ingredients and how crunchy the coating is, depending on the recipient’s needs.
Image unavailable
PopFruit Mini Sorbet Sticks Mango, Passion Fruit & Dark Chocolate, 6 sticks, 282 g
Consider this if a mango and passion fruit sorbet with dark chocolate sounds more suitable than chocolate ice cream. The box contains six mini ice lollies weighing 282 g in total. Check the packaging for allergens before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Does the word “dark” guarantee a high cocoa content?
No. Check which part of the product any stated percentage refers to. Auchan states that the Magnum Intense Dark coating contains 70% cocoa, while Carrefour’s 55.3% figure for Sensation Double Chocolat refers to chocolate in the finished product, not cocoa.
What should you check on a box of ice lollies before buying?
Read the ingredients list, allergen information and nutritional details on the box you’re considering. For pre-packed foods, the French Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds shoppers, among other things, that allergenic ingredients must be clearly highlighted.
Can an ice lolly count as a drink with an afternoon treat?
No, provide a drink separately. Manger Bouger points out that the sensation of thirst can decrease with age, so choosing a frozen dessert doesn’t mean you can overlook hydration.
How should you store ice lollies after buying them?
Follow the temperature and storage instructions on the box you’ve bought. Auchan’s listings for Magnum Intense Dark and Ferrero Rondnoir state that they should be stored in the freezer at −18 °C.
Should you always choose a dark chocolate ice lolly for an older person?
No. Taste, crunch, allergens and any individual dietary guidance matter more than the flavour name alone. Manger Bouger reminds us that the nutritional needs of people over 75 don’t necessarily decrease; this doesn’t make any particular ice lolly a choice for everyone.