For a Fairtrade hot chocolate in the evening, an instant powder is a good choice if convenience is your priority; pure, unsweetened cocoa gives you more control over the recipe. Check the fair-trade credentials stated on the product, then compare the sugars per 100 g and the amount used per cup. A high cocoa content does not mean the powder is sugar-free. If you’re specifically looking for Fairtrade/Max Havelaar, don’t confuse this label with other fair-trade claims.
If fair trade is what motivates your purchase, look for a recognised label on the pack, such as Fairtrade/Max Havelaar, or clear information about which ingredients are covered. A general sustainability claim doesn’t provide the same information.
To stay in control of how sweet your after-dinner drink is, compare the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutrition information with the amount of powder you use. Pure, unsweetened cocoa lets you decide whether or not to add sugar when you make your drink.
If you’re making just one cup in the evening, check the instructions for an instant powder before choosing. Cocoa content and pack size can also help you decide between products that meet your need for convenience.
Start by deciding what proof of fair trade you’re looking for, then weigh up control over the recipe against ease of preparation.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of fair trade | The name of the label or scheme, and which ingredients it covers. A ‘organic’ claim does not mean Fairtrade/Max Havelaar. | For my evening treat, I want to know what backs up the fair-trade claim rather than relying on general wording. This would be the top criterion for around 46% of consumers. |
| Sugars and ingredients | The ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g, the ingredients and the amount of powder per cup; also take the liquid you add into account. | I want to adjust how sweet my drink is without assuming that a high cocoa content means it contains little sugar. Keeping sugar in check would be the priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Preparation and cocoa content | The instructions, recommended serving, cocoa content and pack size. | When I make a cup late in the evening, I’m mainly looking for a method that suits me and a cocoa content I enjoy. These aspects would come first for around 18% of consumers. |
The products featured by Monbana and E.Leclerc carry a Max Havelaar claim, while ETHIQUABLE describes products as fair trade and organic. These claims don’t automatically refer to the same label.
Check the logo, its wording and which ingredients it covers on the product you’re considering before deciding that it meets your criteria.
The legal definition cited by Légifrance covers drinks and liquid preparations intended for human consumption; a dry powder that needs to be mixed with liquid does not fall under this definition.
When choosing a powder, compare its ingredients, sugars per 100 g and the amount you use in your cup, rather than trying to infer its composition from this levy.
According to the European Commission, displaying nutrition information on the front of a pack is voluntary. So the absence of a Nutri-Score isn’t enough on its own to judge a powder.
If it is shown, read it alongside the nutrition information and ingredients. When comparing two powders, pay particular attention to the figures per 100 g.
The ETHIQUABLE instant powder featured by Carrefour contains at least 50% cocoa, but also contains cane sugar. The pure, unsweetened cocoa featured by ETHIQUABLE, on the other hand, means making up your own drink.
If sugar content matters to you, check the ingredients and the amount you actually use, even when the cocoa content is highlighted.
These products illustrate different fair-trade claims and formats. Check the information on the specific product you’re thinking of buying.
The brand offers both fair-trade, organic instant powder and pure, unsweetened cocoa for making hot chocolate.
Monbana’s Tradition BIO Max Havelaar range comes in a 1 kg format, making it worth considering if several people drink it or you use it regularly.
E.Leclerc lists a 500 g pack of Bio Village organic cocoa powder carrying the Max Havelaar claim.
Look for the Fairtrade/Max Havelaar logo and wording on the product in question. Another fair-trade claim may refer to a different scheme, so check which ingredients it covers. Don’t assume that every powder from the same brand carries the same label.
Pure, unsweetened cocoa is a good choice if you want to control the amount of powder and any added sugar. An instant powder is more convenient if you’d prefer a simpler preparation. In both cases, the amount you use and the liquid you add affect the contents of your cup.
No. According to the European Commission, front-of-pack nutrition labelling is voluntary. If there’s no Nutri-Score, you can still compare powders using the nutrition information on the packaging, particularly the figures per 100 g.
The definition cited by Légifrance covers drinks and liquid preparations for drinks, not dry powder that needs to be mixed with liquid. For a ready-made chocolate drink, you’ll need to check the product and the conditions set out in the applicable legislation.