Fans of a really chocolatey cup
If cocoa should take centre stage and you’re happy to adjust the recipe yourself, unsweetened cocoa powder lets you choose how much cocoa and added sugar to use.
Who are these options for?
Those keeping an eye on sugar
You can compare a less sweet ready-to-mix recipe with classic powders, or start with cocoa with no added sugars. Check the values per 100 g and how much you use per cup.
Households looking for a convenient recipe
An instant powder, a cereal and banana flavour, or a family-sized pack may influence your choice. The ingredients list and pack weight matter just as much as the product name.
What should you look for before buying?
When choosing between pure cocoa and a chocolate drink mix, first decide whether you want to control the sugar yourself. Then compare the ingredients in ready-to-mix recipes: the cocoa percentage alone tells you neither how sweet it is nor how it will taste in your cup.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa flavour | The ingredients list, the stated cocoa percentage and the recommended amount per cup. | I want cocoa to dominate my morning drink, even if that means adjusting the recipe myself. Around 30% of consumers are said to prioritise this intensity. |
| Sugar content | The ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and whether it’s unsweetened cocoa or a sweetened mix. | I prefer to control the sweetness of my cup, even if a ready-sweetened recipe is quicker to prepare. For around 30% of consumers, sugar content is said to be the top priority. |
| Ingredients | Cereals, soya, milk and any allergen or ‘may contain’ statements on the pack you choose. | I need to be able to use a recipe that’s compatible with the ingredients I avoid. For around 20% of consumers, this compatibility is said to come before other criteria. |
| Pack size | The net weight, amount per cup and storage instructions after opening. | I’m looking for a pack that suits how often my household makes hot chocolate, without buying a large size we wouldn’t use much. Around 20% of consumers are said to prioritise this. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Assuming ‘intense’ means ‘less sugar’
According to their respective product details, Poulain Grand Arôme contains 67 g of sugars per 100 g, while Auchan Chocolat intense contains 68 g per 100 g, even though both mixes state that they contain 32% cocoa.
Compare the cocoa percentage and the ‘of which sugars’ figure separately for the specific variety you’re considering.
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Confusing pure cocoa with a ready-to-mix chocolate powder
Carrefour describes its Original cocoa as cocoa powder with no added sugars, while its Classic' Intense powder is a sweetened mix. So you won’t be able to control the sweetness in the same way.
Choose pure cocoa if you want to measure out the ingredients yourself; otherwise, check the ingredients in a ready-made mix.
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Forgetting about the other ingredients in the recipe
Banania Original contains wheat and barley, among other ingredients. The Nesquik Moins de Sucres recipe listed by Auchan contains oats and soya lecithin.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, or avoid a particular ingredient, read the information on the packaging of the variety you receive before consuming it.
Brands to know
Poulain
Grand Arôme is a sweetened cocoa powder that Poulain says contains 32% cocoa.
- A ready-made mix for anyone looking for a clearly stated cocoa percentage.
- The Grand Arôme product details state 67 g of sugars per 100 g; they also warn that it may contain milk.
Nesquik
The range includes a classic recipe and a Less Sugar recipe, which differ in their ingredients.
- The recipes listed by Auchan state that they contain 23% and 28% cocoa respectively.
- Auchan lists 75.1 g of sugars per 100 g for the classic recipe and 25 g for Less Sugar. The latter also contains oats and soya lecithin.
Banania
Original combines cocoa, cereals, banana and honey, so it’s not like pure cocoa.
- A distinctive recipe for anyone specifically looking for this blend of flavours.
- Banania states that it contains 19% cocoa and 69 g of sugars per 100 g, as well as cereals containing gluten.
Carrefour
Classic' Intense is a sweetened mix stating that it contains at least 32% cocoa, while Original is cocoa powder with no added sugars.
- These two products let you choose between a ready-sweetened recipe and controlling the amount yourself.
- With pure cocoa, you’ll need to adjust the sweetness and the amount used yourself.
Auchan
The retailer stocks Chocolat intense powder with at least 32% cocoa, as well as unsweetened pure cocoa.
- Two types of product to compare, depending on whether you want a sweetened mix or a base you can customise.
- The Chocolat intense product details state 68 g of sugars per 100 g and warn that it may contain traces of several allergens. Check the pack for details.
E.Leclerc / Marque Repère
The range listed by E.Leclerc includes unsweetened cocoa and a variety of chocolate drink mixes.
- You can compare different recipes and pack sizes to find one that suits your needs.
- Check the details for each product: pure cocoa doesn’t have the same ingredients as a sweetened instant powder.
Powders and mixes available on Joybuy
These products offer a selection of powders and mixes to explore for a morning chocolate drink. Their names alone aren’t enough to compare how rich the finished drink will be: check the ingredients and serving size for the variety you choose.
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Poulain Cocoa with Rich Flavor, 400 g
A cocoa powder to consider for your morning cup; adjust the amount you use according to the instructions on the pack.
Size: 400 g. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure if the sweetness of the recipe matters to you.
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Poulain Cocoa with Rich Flavor, 450 g
Another size of Poulain cocoa powder for a ready-made morning drink.
Size: 450 g. Check the sugar content and serving size per cup for this variety before comparing it with the 400 g pack.
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Columbus Intense Chocolate Powder, 320 g
A chocolate drink mix to consider if you’re looking for a 320 g pack for hot drinks.
The word ‘Intense’ doesn’t tell you how it will taste in your cup or how much sugar it contains. Compare the label and check the allergens before use.
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Van Houten VH2 Cocoa Powder 34 %, 1 kg
A 1 kg pack to consider if your household regularly makes chocolate drinks.
‘34%’ appears in the product name. Check the packaging to see what this refers to in the full recipe, as well as the sugar content and serving size per cup.
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DAMTUH Pokémon Sugar Free, 10 sachets de 20 g
Individual sachets to consider if you prefer to prepare each cup separately.
The pack contains 10 sachets of 20 g. Check the ingredients and nutritional information for this variety rather than guessing its cocoa or sugar content from the name.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score mandatory on chocolate powder in France?
No. According to Santé publique France, displaying Nutri-Score is voluntary. It is separate from the nutrition declaration required under EU regulations for the relevant prepacked foods since 13 December 2016. To compare two powders, check their nutritional information and ingredients, whether or not they display the logo.
How can I make a more chocolatey cup while controlling the added sugar?
Start with unsweetened cocoa powder if you want to control the amount of cocoa and added sugar separately. Follow the preparation instructions for the product you choose and adjust the amount to taste. A chocolate powder that’s already sweetened gives you less flexibility.
Which ingredients should I check before buying if I have an allergy or intolerance?
Before consuming the product, read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the variety you’ve bought. Banania Original contains wheat and barley, among other ingredients; the Nesquik Moins de Sucres recipe listed by Auchan contains oats and soya lecithin. Other recipes may contain milk or warn that traces of allergens may be present.