To serve consistently prepared cups quickly, choose a powder whose serving size, stated yield and allergen information suit your set-up. If controlling sugar is the priority, compare a ‘less sugar’ mix with unsweetened cocoa, taking into account the serving size and all the ingredients in the drink you serve. If your requirements specify filtered long-life milk, check the milk separately to make sure it works with your recipe and equipment.
You need a recipe that’s quick to repeat when lots of cups have to be served during a short break. Carrefour lists powders in 800 g to 1 kg packs; check the serving size and stated number of portions on the pack you choose.
You want to control the sugar in the drink you serve, not just the sugar in the powder. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then factor in the amount used and the other ingredients in the recipe.
You need to be able to give participants accurate information about the recipe actually served, including if you switch to a different product. Auchan’s product information lists soya lecithin in Nesquik 1 kg and the statement ‘may contain milk and soya’ for Poulain Grand Arôme.
For a conference break, decide on your recipe and serving method first: the nutritional information for the powder alone won’t tell you what’s in the prepared drink.
Consider this: when your priority is a mix that’s ready to measure out for serving lots of cups.
Bear in mind: a simple preparation doesn’t necessarily mean a low sugar content; check the serving size for the product you choose.
Consider this: if you want a mix that’s ready to measure out, while comparing its sugar content with that of a standard recipe.
Bear in mind: this label doesn’t mean ‘sugar-free’; check the nutritional values for the product you order.
Consider this: if you want to decide separately how much sugar to add to the recipe.
Bear in mind: you’ll need a set recipe for service, with quantities specified for the cocoa, any added sugar and the liquid.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quick, consistent service | Serving size per cup, stated number of portions and compatibility with the equipment you plan to use. | When the break is short, I want to make the same recipe every time without slowing down service. Around 42 % of consumers would make consistency their priority. |
| Controlling sugar | The ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g of powder, followed by the amount used and ingredients added to each cup. | If I need to control the sugar served, the powder’s ingredients alone don’t tell me what’s in the prepared drink. Around 33 % of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Allergens and information | Ingredients, ‘may contain’ statements and the ingredients in the recipe actually served. | To give participants accurate information, I need details that stay correct even if the product changes. Around 25 % of consumers would prioritise this traceability. |
A figure given per 100 g of powder doesn’t take account of the amount used or any milk or other ingredients added.
Set a recipe for each cup, then calculate the sugar based on the quantities you’ll actually serve.
According to the French Ministry of Health, displaying Nutri-Score is voluntary, so its absence isn’t enough to judge a product’s labelling.
If it appears on the packaging, read it alongside the ingredients list and nutritional information.
The text published by Légifrance on the contribution relating to drinks applies, subject to certain conditions, to drinks and liquid drink preparations. Sugar content alone doesn’t determine how a powder is treated.
If you plan to sell a prepared drink, have its ingredients and packaging assessed before drawing conclusions about its tax treatment.
Recipes and allergen statements vary between products. Switching products could make the information provided at the buffet inaccurate.
Check the packaging of the product you receive and the ingredients added to the mix before sharing information about the drink’s ingredients.
Planning for a replacement product also means keeping the recipe sheet used during service up to date.
A chocolate powder to consider if a mix measured out from a large pack suits the service you have planned.
Grand Arôme and Grand Arôme ‘Moins de Sucres’ are two products whose labels you can compare when choosing a recipe.
A chocolate powder that also contains cereals, banana and honey, if that’s the kind of drink you’re looking for.
A retailer with several own-brand chocolate powders in different sizes to compare, depending on your recipe and how many cups you plan to serve.
A retailer that lists unsweetened cocoa as well as instant chocolate drinks.
A retailer whose product listings let you compare the ingredients and nutritional information for specific products.
No. As the French Ministry of Health explains, displaying it is voluntary in France. When comparing pre-packed powders, check their ingredients and nutritional information too, particularly the sugars per 100 g.
No. Its sugar content alone doesn’t determine how it’s treated for tax purposes. The text published by Légifrance applies, subject to certain conditions, to drinks and liquid drink preparations. If you sell a prepared drink, have its ingredients and packaging assessed.
Start with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g on each product, then apply the serving size you plan to use per cup. If you want to know the sugar content of the drink you serve, include any sugar from the milk or other ingredients too.
Prepare information based on the product you actually use and all the ingredients you add, including milk. Check the packaging you receive and update the recipe sheet if you switch to a different powder.
Follow the instructions on the pack you buy. For example, Auchan’s product information for Nesquik 1 kg says to store it in a cool, dry place. After opening, check the instructions for the product you’ve chosen.