People making a cup during a short break
If you have access to milk and a way to heat it at work, how the powder is prepared and whether the pack is easy to store can help you decide.
Who are these options for?
People who want to control what they add
If you prefer to decide how much sugar to add, check whether you’re looking at pure cocoa or a ready-made chocolate drink mix, and read the ingredients list.
People who pay attention to cocoa content and allergens
The cocoa percentage can help you choose a recipe, but it doesn’t replace checking the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product you’re buying.
What should you check before buying?
Start with what you can realistically prepare during your break, then compare powders on the same nutritional basis. If you’ll be using it regularly, also check that the pack can be resealed and stored according to the instructions on the packaging.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar and recipe | Compare the “of which sugars” figure on the same basis, for example per 100 g of powder. Read the ingredients too before deciding what to add. | If I want to choose what goes into my cup, a sweetened recipe won’t meet the same need as pure cocoa. Around 36% of consumers are said to prioritise having control over the recipe. |
| Preparing it at work | Read the instructions and check you’ll have the drink, equipment and time you need. | During a short break, I mainly want to make my cup in as few steps as possible. Around 29% of consumers are said to put simplicity first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the cocoa percentage, then look for “contains” and “may contain” statements on the product you’re considering. | I may be looking for a recipe with a specific cocoa content, or need to avoid certain ingredients or traces of allergens. Around 21% of consumers are said to put this kind of ingredient profile at the top of their list. |
| Pack size and storage | Compare the net weight with how much you’ll use, and follow the instructions for sealing and storage. | If I make several cups regularly, I want a pack that suits how I use it without taking up too much storage space. Pack size is said to be the main factor for around 14% of consumers. |
The weight of powder and the volume of a ready-to-drink beverage don’t tell you the same thing about how many cups you’ll get. Use the serving guidance on the pack to work out what a larger size means in practice.
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Confusing pure cocoa with chocolate drink powder
Pure cocoa lets you choose what to add, while chocolate drink powder is a ready-made mix. The preparation instructions may also differ.
Check the product description, ingredients and instructions before choosing something for a short break.
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Comparing sugar figures shown in different units
A figure per 100 g of powder can’t be compared directly with one per 100 ml of prepared drink, particularly if the drink is made with milk.
First compare the nutritional information on the same basis, then take into account what you’ll add to your cup.
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Assuming the cocoa percentage tells you about allergens
A high cocoa content doesn’t mean a powder is free from other ingredients or traces of allergens.
If you need to avoid an ingredient, check the information on the packaging of the exact product every time you buy it.
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Assuming a large pack is the same as a ready-to-drink family-sized beverage
A pack of powder is measured by weight and needs to be prepared; it isn’t directly comparable with a bottle measured in litres.
Choose a pack size based on the amount used per cup, how often you’ll use it and the storage instructions.
Brands to compare by product
The ingredients and pack sizes below apply to the specific products mentioned, not every product from each brand.
Nesquik
The 1 kg Nesquik instant mix described by Auchan is for people who want to measure out powder for their drink.
- According to Auchan’s listing for this product, it contains 23% cocoa and the pack provides 88 servings.
- Sugar is the first ingredient; the product contains soya and may contain traces of milk.
Poulain
Grand Arôme and Grand Arôme Intense give you two recipes with different cocoa contents to compare.
- Poulain states that Grand Arôme contains 32% cocoa and Grand Arôme Intense 70%. Grand Arôme is available in sizes including 250 g, 450 g and 800 g.
- Both products contain sugar and may contain milk, so cocoa content alone doesn’t tell you everything about their ingredients.
Banania
Banania Original chocolate drink powder includes cocoa, cereals, banana and honey. Banania lists pack sizes of 250 g, 400 g and 1 kg.
- According to Banania, its resealable packaging can make it easier to store between uses.
- The recipe contains wheat and barley and may contain traces of milk and soya. Check the specific product if these ingredients are a concern for you.
Carrefour Classic'
The 400 g chocolate powder is another pack size to consider if you’re storing it at work.
- Carrefour’s listing states that this product contains 21% cocoa and provides its ingredients and nutritional information.
- It contains added sugar and may contain traces of milk.
Auchan
The products described by Auchan include a 500 g Intense chocolate powder with 32% cocoa, as well as 250 g of unsweetened cocoa powder.
- The 100% cocoa powder lets you decide what to add when preparing your drink.
- This cocoa needs to be prepared with milk. Check the allergen trace information too if it’s relevant to you. The Intense chocolate powder contains sugar.
Chocolate drink powders and cocoa powder on Joybuy
These pack sizes range from individual sachets to 1 kg packs. Choose according to how much time you have to prepare a cup and where you can store the powder.
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DAMTUH Pokemon hot chocolate, 10 sachets of 20 g
Individual sachets make it easy to take a portion with you and prepare it at work.
Check the ingredients and preparation instructions before choosing this mix.
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Nesquik Original chocolate powder, 300 g
The 300 g pack is handy for making a cup at work if you have the drink you need to prepare it.
The Joybuy listing for this product states that it contains soya and may contain traces of milk.
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Bananina Original chocolate powder, 1 kg
This 1 kg pack is worth considering if you make cups regularly and have somewhere to store the powder.
Check the product description and ingredients on the packaging you receive, particularly if you need to avoid certain allergens.
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VAN HOUTEN VH2 chocolate powder, 34%, 1 kg
This 1 kg size is suited to regular use, provided you have enough room to store it.
The 34% cocoa content appears in the name of this variant. Also check the sugar, allergen and preparation information on the packaging.
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VAN HOUTEN VH1F cocoa powder, 1 kg
The 1 kg size is worth considering for regular use rather than the occasional cup.
Before comparing its ingredients with those of a chocolate drink powder, check the cocoa content and preparation instructions on the packaging of this variant.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score compulsory on hot chocolate powder?
No. Displaying Nutri-Score on the front of the pack is voluntary. The European Commission distinguishes this front-of-pack label from the nutrition declaration required for most prepacked foods under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. If a pack displays Nutri-Score, check the nutritional information, ingredients and the serving you prepare too.
What do you need at work to make a cup?
Check what the instructions for your chosen powder call for: a suitable drink, a way to heat it if needed and something to stir it with. For example, the 100% cocoa described by Auchan needs to be heated with milk and stirred for five minutes. Make sure that fits into your break.
How should you store an opened pack of powder at work?
Reseal the pack and follow the storage instructions for the product you bought. If you’re keeping it in a shared kitchen or desk drawer, check that the location meets the instructions on the packaging.
Does a powder with a high cocoa content have to be sugar-free?
No. The cocoa percentage alone doesn’t tell you what else is in the recipe. Poulain states that Grand Arôme Intense contains 70% cocoa, but the recipe also includes sugar. Check the ingredients list and the “of which sugars” figure for the product you’re considering.