Organisers looking for an easy-to-serve children’s buffet
You want a familiar flavour, an easy-to-repeat serving size and a pack that states how many portions it makes.
Who are you making this hot chocolate for?
Hosts who want to adjust the sweetness
You want to compare the sugar in the drink as it will actually be served, or measure out the cocoa and sugar separately rather than relying on a product simply being described as mild.
Hosts catering for food allergies
You need to check the powder’s ingredients and any may-contain warnings, take the milk you use into account and clearly identify each recipe on offer.
What should you check before buying?
For this buffet, choose between a pre-sweetened recipe, an option described as having less sugar, or cocoa that you sweeten separately. Then decide on the amount and type of milk you’ll actually use: both affect the drink you serve and the number of portions you can make.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetness and sugar | Compare the amount of sugar in your intended serving of powder, then take your chosen milk into account. Check the nutrition table for the exact variant. | If I want a sweet drink for children without choosing based on the product name alone, the amount of sugar in the cup matters to me; around 33% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients and any may-contain information on the pack you buy, as well as details of the milk you’ll serve. | When guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to identify each recipe before offering it; around 25% of consumers would put this precaution first. |
| Serving size and portions | Check the recommended serving size and the number of portions for the exact pack you’re buying; use the same measure throughout service. | To serve the planned number of cups consistently, I need to work out the yield based on my recipe; nearly 25% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Flavour profile | Check the ingredients that define the flavour, such as cereals, banana or honey, and make sure the recipe suits your menu. | If I’m looking for a hot chocolate with a mild flavour for children, a flavoured recipe may not be what I have in mind; around 17% of consumers would prioritise this flavour choice. |
Buffet buying mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a mild flavour means less sugar
A mild-tasting powder may list sugar as its first ingredient. The amount in each drink also depends on how much powder and milk you use.
Compare the nutrition information for the recipes you’re considering, then calculate the serving you actually plan to offer.
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Relying on the product category instead of checking allergens
The recipes we looked at differ: the Nesquik powder listed by Carrefour contains soya, Poulain Grand Arôme may contain milk and soya, and Banania Original contains wheat and barley.
Keep the packaging to hand, identify the milk you use and keep utensils separate if you’re preparing more than one recipe.
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Assuming Nutri-Score is compulsory
According to Santé publique France, producers display Nutri-Score voluntarily. So its absence alone isn’t enough to judge the ingredients in a powder.
If it appears on the packaging, use it as an additional guide and check the ingredients and nutrition information too.
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Planning your shopping based only on the pack weight
The number of drinks you can make depends on the serving size you choose. Auchan’s listing for the 1 kg Nesquik pack states that it makes 88 servings and gives different serving sizes by age; this yield doesn’t apply to other powders.
Start with the guidance for the pack you’ve bought, then compare it with your cup size and the recipe you plan to serve.
Brands to consider for different recipes
Nesquik
The 1 kg pack listed by Auchan makes it easier to plan servings, with the yield and serving sizes clearly stated.
- Auchan’s listing states that it makes 88 servings and gives separate serving sizes for children aged 3 to 5 and those aged 6 and over.
- For the pack we looked at, sugar is the first ingredient and the recipe contains soya lecithin. Check the pack you choose and the sugar in the prepared drink.
Poulain
The Grand Arôme range lets you compare a classic recipe with an option described as “Less Sugar”.
- Carrefour’s Grand Arôme listing states that it contains at least 32% cocoa; Carrefour also stocks a “Grand Arôme Less Sugar” variant.
- The Grand Arôme pack we looked at may contain milk and soya. To compare sugar levels, check the nutrition information on the exact pack of each variant.
Banania
The Original recipe has a different flavour profile from a hot chocolate made with cocoa alone, with cereals, banana and honey.
- Banania’s published ingredients list includes cocoa, cereals, banana and honey.
- Original contains wheat and barley, among other ingredients; traces of milk and soya are also listed. Take extra care with this recipe if any guests need to avoid these ingredients.
Joybuy products for different preparations
These three powders suit different ways of preparing your buffet: individual sachets, a large pack of chocolate drink powder, and cocoa whose sweetness you can adjust as you make it. Consider their flavour and yield in relation to the recipe you’ll serve.
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DAMTUH Pokémon hot chocolate, 10 sachets of 20 g
Individual sachets are a good choice if you want to make drinks one at a time. The box contains ten 20 g sachets, so compare this with the number of servings you need. Check the ingredients and the prepared drink before choosing this option for children or guests with allergies.
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VAN HOUTEN VH2 chocolate drink powder, 34%, 1 kg
This 1 kg pack could be a good option if you’re making several drinks using the same recipe. The title states that it contains 34% cocoa; decide how much to use per cup before calculating the number of servings. Check the sugar in the prepared drink and the allergen information on the pack you buy.
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VAN HOUTEN VH1F cocoa powder, 1 kg
This could be a good option if you want to adjust the sweetness of the drink separately. The title states 14.7%, while the description says 100% cocoa; check the ingredients on the label before settling on your recipe. Also decide how much to use per cup so you can estimate the yield from the 1 kg pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score compulsory on hot chocolate powder?
No, displaying it is voluntary, according to Santé publique France. If it appears on a pack, you can use it as an additional guide, but it doesn’t replace checking the ingredients and nutrition information.
Does the “soda tax” automatically apply to chocolate drink powder?
No, the fact that a powder contains sugar doesn’t by itself mean that it falls within the scope of this levy. The text published by Légifrance applies to drinks and liquid preparations for drinks that meet the conditions set out in the relevant legislation. Check the product in question rather than assuming that all powders are treated in the same way.
How can you work out how many drinks you’ll need for the buffet?
Use the yield and serving size stated for the pack you plan to serve. Auchan’s listing for the 1 kg Nesquik pack says it makes 88 servings and gives two different serving sizes by age; don’t apply this figure to another recipe or serving size.
Which allergens should you check before serving?
Check both the powder you buy and the milk you add to the drink. Among the recipes we looked at, Nesquik contains soya, Poulain Grand Arôme may contain milk and soya, and Banania Original contains wheat and barley. Any information you give guests should match the packaging and the preparation you actually use.
How should you store the powder before the wedding?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. For the Nesquik pack we looked at, Auchan recommends storing it in a cool, dry place; keep the container closed between preparations to help keep out moisture.