Shoppers looking to prioritise fibre
You’re looking for a powder that meets the ‘high in fibre’ claim. Under EU rules on nutrition claims, this means at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g. Before choosing a recipe, check the ‘of which sugars’ line too.
Who is this guide for?
Families comparing sugar content
If you’re making several hot chocolates to enjoy with your King’s cake, compare the sugars per 100 g and the amount of powder you add to each mug. Two recipes can both meet the same fibre threshold but contain different amounts of sugar.
Anyone adapting an Epiphany recipe
For a drink or homemade recipe, the cocoa flavour, added sugar and ingredients can matter just as much as the fibre. If you’re considering unsweetened cocoa, check the label on the product you choose and adjust the recipe separately.
Which criteria should you prioritise?
When comparing powders to serve with King’s cake, start with the values per 100 g, then check what suits your recipe and the people sharing it.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre | Check the fibre per 100 g. EU rules set a minimum of 6 g per 100 g, or 3 g per 100 kcal, for the ‘high in fibre’ claim. | If you’re serving hot chocolate with King’s cake, you may want to check the fibre content of the powder you choose. Around 46% of shoppers would prioritise this criterion. |
| Sugars | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g and the amount of powder used per mug. | If you’re making several mugs, you may want to choose a recipe knowing how much sugar it contains. Around 36% of shoppers would make this their priority. |
| Recipe and ingredients | Check the ingredients list, allergen information and the stated cocoa content for the specific product. | For a drink or recipe served with King’s cake, you may want to tailor the flavour and take account of ingredients some guests need to avoid. Around 18% of shoppers would put this first. |
Common misconceptions to avoid
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Confusing Nutri-Score with the nutrition declaration
In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that displaying Nutri-Score is optional. The DGCCRF states that a nutrition declaration is compulsory for most prepacked foods, subject to applicable exemptions.
Even if there’s no Nutri-Score on the packaging, check the nutrition information per 100 g and the ingredients list.
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Assuming ‘high in fibre’ means ‘low in sugar’
The Auchan Chocolat intense, Banania Original and Nesquik products listed by Auchan and Banania contain more than the 6 g of fibre per 100 g threshold, but also have between 68 g and 75.1 g of sugars per 100 g. The fibre claim doesn’t tell you how much sugar they contain.
Compare the two nutrition figures separately, then consider how much powder you’ll actually use.
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Overlooking cereals and allergen information
Banania Original contains wheat and barley, among other ingredients. The Auchan Chocolat intense product may contain traces of gluten, soya, nuts, milk and eggs.
If any ingredients need to be avoided, check the information on the specific pack before serving your recipe.
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Assuming cocoa content tells you how much fibre there is
The proportion of cocoa doesn’t replace the ‘fibre’ line in the nutrition information. A powder with a high cocoa content may also contain added sugar.
Check the cocoa percentage, fibre, sugars and ingredients separately for the product you’re considering.
Brands to compare
These figures apply to the specific products listed below. The values for one recipe don’t apply to every powder from the same brand.
Banania
Original combines cocoa, cereals, banana and honey. It’s worth considering if these ingredients match the flavour you’re looking for.
- Banania lists 6.7 g of fibre per 100 g for its Original drinking chocolate powder.
- The brand also lists 69 g of sugars per 100 g. The recipe contains wheat and barley.
Nesquik
The drinking chocolate product listed by Auchan can be compared with other sweetened recipes that meet the fibre threshold.
- Auchan lists 7.7 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
- The same listing gives 75.1 g of sugars per 100 g. Check that these values apply to the size you’re considering.
Auchan
Chocolat intense 32% cacao is a sweetened powder that you can compare with the other products using the same nutrition values.
- Auchan lists at least 32% cocoa, 9.6 g of fibre and 68 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The product information warns of possible traces of several allergens, including gluten, soya and nuts.
Poulain
Grand Arôme may appeal to anyone checking the cocoa content of a drinking chocolate powder.
- The ingredients list published by Auchan gives 47% cocoa for the Grand Arôme product reviewed.
- This product also contains sugar, so its cocoa content alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar or fibre it contains.
Carrefour
The range shown by Carrefour includes a variety of drinking chocolate powders, including own-brand and other branded products.
- You can compare several recipes by checking the labels on each product.
- Just because they’re on the same shelf doesn’t mean they have the same ingredients or nutrition values.
Drinking chocolate on Joybuy
These drinking chocolate granules and powders could be used to make a drink to enjoy with King’s cake. To compare fibre and sugar, check the nutrition information for the specific variant and pack size you buy. Don’t confuse Bananina Original with Banania Original, featured above.
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BENCO Less Sugar chocolate granules, 400 g
Worth considering if you’re making a chocolate drink and comparing the sugar content of different recipes. ‘Less Sugar’ is part of this variant’s name, so check the sugars and fibre per 100 g on the packaging before choosing it.
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Bananina Original drinking chocolate powder, 1 kg
Consider this for making several drinks to enjoy with King’s cake if the 1 kg size suits you. Check the ingredients, allergen information and nutrition values for Bananina Original itself: the information for Banania Original shouldn’t be applied to it.
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BENCO Original chocolate granules, 400 g
This 400 g pack could be used to make a chocolate drink to enjoy with King’s cake. If fibre or sugar content is important to you, check the values per 100 g, along with the ingredients and allergens listed on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score compulsory on drinking chocolate powder?
No. The French Ministry of the Economy says displaying Nutri-Score is optional in France. To compare two powders, check their nutrition information per 100 g, whether or not Nutri-Score appears on the packaging.
What should the nutrition declaration show?
The DGCCRF says a nutrition declaration is compulsory for most prepacked foods, subject to exemptions, and gives values per 100 g or 100 ml. For this choice, check the sugars per 100 g in particular, and look at the fibre content too if it’s listed.
When can a powder carry the ‘high in fibre’ claim?
Under EU rules on nutrition claims, a food must contain at least 6 g of fibre per 100 g or at least 3 g per 100 kcal. Check the value for the exact product rather than relying on the name of its range.
Should you choose the powder with the most fibre?
Not on that criterion alone. Auchan and Banania’s product information shows that the products reviewed which meet the fibre threshold also have different sugar contents. Compare both values per 100 g, then check the ingredients, allergens and amount you plan to use in your recipe.