Fans of bold dark chocolate
If you’re mainly looking for a dark chocolate coating, check exactly which part of the ice lolly the stated cocoa percentage refers to. The ice cream may have a different flavour from the coating.
Who are these ice lollies for?
Households buying a box for the week
The number of ice lollies and the net weight can help you choose the right pack size. The recipe matters too: cocoa ice cream with pieces in it and ice cream with chocolate, caramel and nuts suit different tastes.
Consumers mindful of allergens
The words ‘dark chocolate’ are no substitute for checking the ingredients. Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the box you buy, as these can vary by recipe.
What should you check before buying?
When choosing a box to keep for the week, start by distinguishing between cocoa content and the amount of coating. Then check the pack size and ingredients, and plan how you’ll get the ice lollies home and into the freezer.
| What to check | Check for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate | Read the wording alongside each percentage. Auchan’s product listing for Magnum Intense Dark states that the dark layer contains 70 % cocoa; Carrefour’s listing for Sensation Double Chocolat gives the proportions of coating and chocolate in the product. | If I’m looking for a dark chocolate coating, I want to know what the stated figure measures before choosing. This would be the top priority for around 42 % of consumers. |
| Pack size and recipe | Compare the number of ice lollies and the net weight, then check whether the recipe includes sauce, cocoa pieces or nuts. | For my weekly shop, I want enough portions and a recipe that suits the people who’ll be eating them. Pack size would come first for around 33 % of consumers. |
| Allergens and keeping cold | Check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings on the box; plan a short journey and take an insulated bag if needed. | If an ingredient is a concern in my household, I check the label and plan how to get frozen food home before buying. Around 25 % of consumers would prioritise these considerations. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing the chocolate percentage with the cocoa content
The two figures don’t necessarily describe the same part of the ice lolly. For Magnum Intense Dark, the 70 % cocoa figure refers to the dark chocolate layer; for Carrefour Sensation Double Chocolat, the stated proportions describe components of the finished product.
Check the words that follow the figure: ‘cocoa’ in the coating, ‘coating’ or ‘chocolate’ in the recipe.
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Assuming a dark chocolate recipe is allergen-free
The products described by Auchan and Carrefour include ingredients such as milk or soya; some contain nuts or flag other potential allergens.
Check the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the specific box you’re buying.
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Letting the ice lollies warm up on the way home
If you’re buying them to last several days, you’ll need to get them home quickly and put them in the freezer. The DGCCRF advises keeping transport time to a minimum and using an insulated bag where possible.
Pick up the ice lollies at the end of your shop, and don’t refreeze a defrosted product.
Brands to know
These products show how recipes can vary; the percentages on their product listings don’t all measure cocoa content.
Magnum
According to Auchan’s product listing, Intense Dark combines milk chocolate ice cream with a dark chocolate layer stated to contain 70 % cocoa, in a box of three ice lollies.
- The stated cocoa content specifically refers to the dark layer.
- The centre is milk chocolate ice cream; the listing flags milk, soya and possible traces of almonds.
Ferrero Rondnoir
Auchan’s product listing describes four cocoa ice lollies with a dark chocolate shell and cocoa pieces.
- The cocoa pieces add a distinct element alongside the shell and ice cream.
- The proportion of dark chocolate in the recipe shouldn’t be read as its cocoa content; also check the warnings for milk, soya and other allergens.
Nuii
The product described by Auchan combines chocolate ice cream, malted caramel sauce, a dark coating and pieces of Brazil nut, in a box of four.
- The nut pieces are part of the recipe if you’re after that texture.
- Nuts are an ingredient, alongside milk and soya. Auchan’s stated 31 % dark coating figure doesn’t tell you its cocoa content.
Carrefour Sensation
According to Carrefour, Double Chocolat is a box of four ice lollies combining chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce and a dark chocolate coating.
- The product listing distinguishes between the different chocolate components in the recipe.
- The proportions of coating and chocolate in the product aren’t cocoa content figures; the recipe contains milk and soya.
Ice lollies to consider on Joybuy
These two boxes suit different tastes: a dark chocolate ice lolly if you want to stick with the ‘dark’ theme, or a mango and passion fruit mini sorbet coated in dark chocolate for a change of pace in your frozen desserts this week.
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POPELINO Intense Dark Chocolate Ice Lollies, 4 lollies, 312 g
This box is a good choice if you’re looking for several dark chocolate ice lollies to enjoy during the week. It contains four lollies and has a net weight of 312 g; if cocoa content is important to you, check which part of the recipe the figure on the label refers to.
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PopFruit Mini Sorbet Sticks mango, passion fruit and dark chocolate, 6 lollies, 282 g
This pack is for anyone who’d like to switch things up with a fruity sorbet coated in dark chocolate. The box contains six mini lollies and weighs 282 g; if you’re mainly looking for a specific cocoa content, check the relevant information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 70 % cocoa in Magnum Intense Dark refer to the whole ice lolly?
No. According to Auchan’s product listing, this figure refers to the dark chocolate layer. The centre is described as milk chocolate ice cream; always check which part of the recipe a percentage refers to.
How should I transport ice lollies bought for the week?
Take them home promptly and put them in the freezer as soon as you get back. The DGCCRF recommends keeping journey times to a minimum and using an insulated bag; the Ministry of Agriculture advises setting your freezer to −18 °C.
Can you refreeze a defrosted ice lolly?
No, don’t refreeze a defrosted product. If you’re buying boxes to last several days, plan your journey home so the ice lollies stay cold.
Which allergens should I check in a ‘dark’ ice lolly?
Check the allergens in the recipe you’ve chosen rather than relying on the word ‘dark’. The Magnum, Ferrero, Nuii and Carrefour products described by Auchan or Carrefour list ingredients such as milk and soya; some contain nuts or flag other possible traces. Always check the label on the box you buy.