Don’t order a “pyramid sachet” assuming it will brew hot chocolate: the Pyramide from Leonidas is chocolate that you melt in milk, not an infusion sachet. To choose the right option, start with how you usually prepare your drink: a pre-measured portion of powder, powder you measure yourself, a capsule for your machine or chocolate to melt. Then compare the recipe and nutritional information on a like-for-like basis.
If you prefer a pre-measured portion, powder sticks save you measuring out the right amount each time. The Nesquik sticks featured by Auchan each contain 13.5 g of powder, to be mixed with 200 ml of milk. They’re not infusion sachets.
A tub or pouch lets you measure out the amount for each cup. Before choosing a pack size, compare the ingredients, sugars and allergens in the specific recipe. The products featured by Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc aren’t interchangeable.
If you’re looking for chocolate to mix into milk rather than instant powder, check the preparation instructions. Leonidas describes its Pyramide as filled chocolate to melt, not an infusion sachet.
First choose how you’ll prepare your drink, then check the recipe and pack size to suit how you’ll use it.
Choose these if: you make one cup at a time and want a pre-measured amount of powder.
Bear in mind: the contents are powder to be mixed with the specified liquid, not a sachet for infusing.
Choose this if: you want to adjust the amount of powder yourself for each cup.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to measure it each time, and the ingredients vary between products.
Choose these if: you own a machine that’s explicitly compatible with the capsules you’re considering.
Bear in mind: compatibility with one system doesn’t mean a capsule will work with every machine.
Choose this if: you want to make a drink by melting chocolate in milk.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to heat and then mix the milk and chocolate. It doesn’t work like instant powder.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portions | The number of portions, the amount in each stick and the liquid specified in the preparation instructions. | When I’m making just one cup, I’d rather not measure the powder. Around 27% of consumers would put having a ready-measured portion at the top of their list. |
| Recipe and allergens | The ingredients, allergens and sugars, comparing figures given on the same basis. | Before adding a product to my basket, I want to know exactly what’s in it. This would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Preparation method | The difference between powder, chocolate to melt and capsules; for capsules, check they’re compatible with your machine. | I’m mainly looking for a preparation method that suits me, especially if I want to melt chocolate in milk. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Pack size | The net weight and storage instructions after opening. | If we regularly make several cups at home, I’m looking for an amount we can use and store properly. Pack size would be the top consideration for around 26% of consumers. |
The Pyramide from Leonidas is filled chocolate to melt in milk. It’s prepared differently from a powder stick; pyramid-shaped sachets are also used for tea.
Before ordering, read the product description and preparation instructions to tell chocolate to melt apart from a sachet of powder.
The French Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) distinguishes between the Nutri-Score, which is displayed voluntarily, and the nutrition declaration required for relevant prepacked foods.
Check the nutritional information, ingredients list and allergens. If a Nutri-Score is shown, take it into account without making it your only criterion.
Sugars listed per 100 g of powder and those listed per 100 ml of prepared drink refer to different amounts of product. The second figure also depends on the preparation method, including the milk used.
First compare powders per 100 g of powder. For a prepared drink, take the specified serving and liquid into account.
The 1 kg Banania pouch featured by Auchan lists 69 g of sugars per 100 g of powder and contains gluten. Pack weight alone doesn’t tell you about the ingredients or allergens.
Check the recipe and labelling for the specific product, then choose an amount that suits how often you’ll prepare it and how you can store it.
Chocolate-flavoured powder available in formats including tubs and individual sticks.
Chocolate-flavoured powder. The recipe featured by Auchan includes ingredients such as cocoa, cereals, banana and honey.
Grand Arôme chocolate powders, including a product called “Moins de Sucres” (Less Sugar) featured by Carrefour.
Chocolate powders with different recipes, including a Carrefour Bio product.
The range featured by E.Leclerc includes drink powders and unsweetened Equador pure cocoa.
These products suit three ways of making hot chocolate: measuring out powder, opening an individual sachet or using a capsule with a compatible machine. If you want to melt chocolate, choose a product whose description and instructions explicitly say it’s suitable for this.
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For making a cup by measuring out the powder yourself; this tub isn’t an individual sachet. The Joybuy product details for this item state that it contains 23% cocoa and list soya lecithin among the ingredients.
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A 400 g tub of powder for anyone who prefers to measure out each serving. Check the mixing instructions and nutritional information for this specific product before comparing it with another powder.
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Make a single serving using a 20 g sachet of powder, with no need to measure it out. These aren’t pyramid-shaped infusion sachets; check the instructions to see how much liquid to add.
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A 1 kg pack to consider if you regularly make cups of hot chocolate and want to measure out the powder yourself. Check the name, ingredients, allergens and instructions on the packaging of the product you order.
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Make your drink using a machine that takes compatible Dolce Gusto capsules. The pack contains 16 capsules; check they’re compatible with your machine model before ordering.
Not in the case of the Pyramide from Leonidas: it’s filled chocolate to melt in milk. For any product with this name, read the description and preparation instructions rather than assuming it works like a tea bag.
No. According to the DGCCRF, displaying the Nutri-Score is voluntary. The nutrition declaration is required for relevant prepacked foods; check it alongside the product’s ingredients list and allergens.
Compare figures given on the same basis, such as per 100 g of powder. A figure per 100 ml of prepared drink depends on the amount of powder and liquid used, so it can’t be directly compared with the figure for dry powder.
No. A capsule must be explicitly compatible with your machine’s system. Check this for the specific product before ordering; a capsule designed for one system won’t necessarily fit another.