People who regularly drink hot chocolate
If you often make a cup for yourself, choose an amount you can store properly and use in good time. Carrefour and Auchan ranges include powders in sizes from 400 g to 1 kg.
Who is this choice for?
People who pay close attention to ingredients
If sugar content or the proportion of cocoa matters to you, compare the ingredients and nutritional information for each recipe. A claim on the front of the pack is no substitute for checking the nutritional information.
People who need to check allergens
Check the label on the product and pack size you’re buying: some Nesquik products list soya, while the original 1 kg Banania recipe contains cereals made from wheat and barley.
What should you look for?
First decide whether you’d rather prepare your drink or buy it ready to drink. If you opt for powder, how often you’ll use it, the recipe and any allergens can help you choose between pack sizes.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and storage | Net weight, how often you’ll prepare a drink and storage instructions after opening. | If I only make one cup at a time, I want to use the pack without buying far more than I need. Around 36% of consumers would make finding a suitable pack size their top priority. |
| Sugars and ingredients | Ingredients list and “of which sugars” line, compared per 100 g of powder or for the same prepared serving. | When choosing between chocolate powder and unsweetened cocoa, I want to know what each recipe contains and how I’ll prepare it. This would be the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Preparation and allergens | Preparation instructions, allergenic ingredients and any “may contain” warnings on the exact pack. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, a convenient recipe is only suitable if its label meets that requirement. Around 28% of consumers would put preparation or allergens first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Comparing litres of drink directly with grams of powder
The volume of a ready-to-drink beverage doesn’t tell you, by itself, how many cups you can make from a pack of powder.
Decide which type of product you want, then check the recommended amount of powder before comparing how many servings you can make.
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Assuming Nutri-Score is compulsory or tells you everything
According to Santé publique France, displaying Nutri-Score is voluntary. Even when it appears on a pack, it doesn’t replace the ingredients list or nutritional information.
Read the ingredients list and the “of which sugars” line. If Nutri-Score is shown, use it as additional information.
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Assuming “less sugar” means “sugar-free”
The “Less Sugar” claim sets one Poulain product apart, but it doesn’t tell you on its own how much sugar is in a cup made with the serving you use.
Compare nutritional values on the same basis and check the recommended amount. If you want to decide how much sugar to add yourself, consider unsweetened cocoa too.
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Relying on the brand rather than the label to check allergens
Ingredients vary between recipes: the Joybuy listing for Nesquik Original 300 g mentions soya, while the listing for Banania Original 1 kg includes cereals.
Check the ingredients and any “may contain” warnings on the pack you’re buying.
Chocolate powder brands to know
Nesquik
Chocolate powders available in several pack sizes, depending on the retailer.
- The Joybuy listing for Nesquik Original 300 g states that it contains 23% low-fat cocoa powder.
- In this same recipe, sugar is the first ingredient and it contains soya lecithin.
Poulain
The range includes Grand Arôme and a Grand Arôme “Less Sugar” product.
- The Carrefour listing for Grand Arôme 800 g states that it contains 32% cocoa; the “Less Sugar” 400 g product contains at least 47% cocoa.
- These figures relate to two different recipes, so compare their sugar content and allergens too before choosing.
Banania
A chocolate powder whose original recipe combines cocoa, cereals, banana and honey.
- The Joybuy listing for the original 1 kg product includes cocoa, banana flakes and honey.
- This recipe contains cereals made from wheat and barley. Check the pack if you need to avoid gluten.
Carrefour Classic'
A supermarket own-brand range of chocolate powders, including 400 g and 800 g packs.
- The 800 g product listed in the Carrefour catalogue contains 21% cocoa.
- This product may contain traces of milk. Check the label on the pack size you choose.
P'tit Déli / Marque Repère E.Leclerc
A supermarket own-brand range that includes a 1 kg instant chocolate drink powder.
- The E.Leclerc listing for the 1 kg product states that it contains 21% low-fat cocoa powder.
- Sugar is the first ingredient, and the listing warns that it may contain traces of milk.
Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score compulsory on hot chocolate powder in France?
No. According to Santé publique France, displaying Nutri-Score is voluntary. For prepacked food, also check the ingredients list and nutrition declaration required under the labelling rules outlined by the DGCCRF.
What should you compare on two packs of chocolate powder?
Compare the ingredients, allergens, net weight and nutritional information on the same basis, including sugars per 100 g. Also consider how much powder and liquid you’ll use to make your cup.
What’s the difference between chocolate powder and unsweetened cocoa?
Sweetened chocolate powder and unsweetened cocoa give you different starting points for your drink. With unsweetened cocoa, you decide whether to add sugar. In both cases, check the ingredients and preparation instructions for the product you choose.