Parents looking to make preparation easier
If your mornings are often interrupted, consider the format and portion size. If you’re choosing capsules, first check that they’re compatible with your machine.
Who are these options for?
Parents comparing sugar content
Sugar values per 100 g of powder make it easier to compare recipes. The amount you use and the liquid you add also affect what’s in your prepared drink.
Households mindful of allergens
Depending on the product, the recipe or precautionary warnings may mention milk, soya or cereals containing gluten. Always check the label of the product you buy.
What should you look for?
When choosing hot chocolate for the stop-start days that come with a newborn, first decide whether you’d rather measure out powder or use capsules with a compatible machine. Then compare recipes and portions on the same basis.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Format, portion and preparation method; for capsules, check machine compatibility. | When my morning is interrupted, I want to make a drink without measuring several ingredients. Around 25% of consumers say this simplicity is their top priority. |
| Sugar and portion | Sugar per 100 g of product, the amount used and what’s in the prepared drink. | If I’m comparing sugar content, the figure for the powder alone doesn’t tell me everything about my drink. For around 31% of consumers, this comparison comes before other criteria. |
| Allergens | Ingredients and ‘contains’ or ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging you buy. | If I need to avoid a particular ingredient, a different recipe may change my choice. This check is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Taste and recipe | Cocoa percentage and whether the recipe includes cereals or flavourings, depending on the product. | I may prefer a recipe focused on cocoa or look for other ingredients in my drink. Around 19% of consumers prioritise this type of recipe profile. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing chocolate drink powder with unsweetened cocoa
The chocolate drink powders reviewed combine cocoa with other ingredients, including sugar and, depending on the recipe, cereals or flavourings. You can’t work out what’s in them from the words ‘hot chocolate’ alone.
Check the product name, ingredients and preparation instructions for the product you choose.
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Comparing sugar per 100 g alone
Serving sizes vary depending on how you prepare the drink: Banania recommends 15 g of Original powder with 200 ml of semi-skimmed milk, while its capsules make a 120 ml drink.
Also check the amount used and what’s in the drink when made with your chosen liquid.
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Assuming a recipe’s values apply to an entire brand
Chocolat Poulain lists 32% cocoa and 67 g of sugar per 100 g for its standard Grand Arôme. A separate Joybuy product listing for Cacao Grand Arôme 400 g shows 47% cocoa and 52 g of sugar per 100 g.
Compare the full product name and size, and check the nutritional information on the product you buy.
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Expecting to find a Nutri-Score on every pack
Santé publique France says displaying the Nutri-Score is voluntary. Its absence doesn’t, on its own, tell you what’s in the powder.
Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information, whether or not the logo is shown.
Brands to compare
Poulain
The Grand Arôme products show why it’s worth comparing specific recipes rather than looking at the brand name alone.
- Chocolat Poulain lists 32% cocoa and 67 g of sugar per 100 g for its standard Grand Arôme.
- The Joybuy listing for Cacao Grand Arôme 400 g gives different values: 47% cocoa and 52 g of sugar per 100 g. These figures don’t apply to all Poulain products.
Banania
The range includes Original powder to measure out and chocolate capsules compatible with Dolce Gusto machines.
- Banania says its Original powder comes in a resealable pack. The recipe combines cocoa, cereals, banana and honey.
- Original powder contains 69 g of sugar per 100 g and includes wheat and barley. The capsules require a compatible machine, and their recipe contains milk and barley malt.
Carrefour Classic'
The 800 g Chocolat en Poudre Intense is worth checking for its own ingredients and nutritional values.
- Carrefour France states that this product contains at least 32% cocoa and natural vanilla flavouring.
- The product listing warns that it may contain traces of milk. Its ingredients aren’t representative of every drinking chocolate powder sold by the retailer.
Nesquik
According to the Joybuy product listing, Original 300 g can be made up as a hot or cold drink.
- The Joybuy listing for this product states that it contains 23% cocoa.
- It mentions soya and possible traces of milk. Check these details on the pack you buy.
Joybuy products by format
This selection includes sachets, powder to measure out and capsules compatible with Dolce Gusto machines. Start by choosing the format that suits your routine, then compare the recipe of each product.
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DAMTUH Pokémon Sugar Free hot chocolate, 10 x 20 g sachets
Individual sachets let you choose a portion without measuring powder from a tin. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before choosing this recipe.
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Poulain Cacao Grand Arôme, 400 g
This powder lets you compare a specific recipe before deciding how much to make. The Joybuy listing for this product states that it contains 47% cocoa and 52 g of sugar per 100 g. Check the preparation instructions and allergens on the packaging.
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GIMOKA, 16 hot chocolate capsules compatible with Dolce Gusto, 224 g
Capsules are a good choice if you own a compatible Dolce Gusto machine and prefer a set portion. Check the ingredients, allergens and the drink volume specified for one capsule.
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Nesquik Original drinking chocolate powder, 300 g
Consider this powder if you prefer to make your drink without a dedicated machine. The Joybuy listing states that it contains 23% cocoa and mentions soya and possible traces of milk. Check the label if these allergens are a concern for you.
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BENCO Less Sugar granulated drinking chocolate powder, 400 g
These granules are another option you can measure out yourself. To compare them with other powders, check the sugar per 100 g, the recommended serving size and the ingredients on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score compulsory on chocolate drink powder in France?
No. Santé publique France says displaying it is voluntary. When checking a chocolate drink powder, also look at the ingredients and nutritional information. The absence of the logo isn’t enough to judge the product.
Why check the prepared serving as well as the values per 100 g?
Because the amount of product and the volume of the drink vary from one recipe to another. Banania recommends 15 g of Original powder with 200 ml of semi-skimmed milk, while its capsules make a 120 ml drink. The liquid you use also affects the final contents.
How can you check the allergens in hot chocolate?
Read the ingredients and any ‘contains’ or ‘may contain’ statements on the packaging you buy. Banania says its Original powder contains cereals with gluten, while the Joybuy listing for Nesquik Original 300 g mentions soya and possible traces of milk.