For holiday snacks, choose a larger pack of chocolate drink mix if your household uses it regularly and can store it as directed. If ingredients are your priority, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figures for the recipes you’re considering. Unsweetened cocoa is a better choice if you want to measure out the ingredients yourself, but don’t confuse it with an instant drink mix.
If you often make chocolate drinks during the holidays, check that the pack size also suits how much you’ll use once the holidays are over. Best-before dates and storage instructions are especially important when buying a larger pack.
To compare recipes, check the nutritional information, particularly the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. A ‘less sugar’ claim refers to a specific comparison; it doesn’t mean the powder is sugar-free.
If you need to avoid certain ingredients, check the ingredient list and allergen information for the product you’re considering. The recipes reviewed differ in particular in whether they contain cereals or soya, and in the presence of milk-related warnings.
First, distinguish a sweetened chocolate drink mix from unsweetened cocoa. Then choose a pack size and ingredients that suit how you plan to use it.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Net quantity, best-before date and storage instructions after opening. | When chocolate drinks are a regular snack, I want a pack my household can realistically finish. Around 36% of consumers put choosing a pack size that suits their needs first. |
| Sugars | The ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and, if shown on the label, the figure per prepared drink with its stated serving size. | When comparing recipes for regular snacks, I want to know how much sugar the powder contains, rather than relying on how it’s presented. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The ingredient list and allergen information on the specific pack you’re buying. | In a household that avoids certain ingredients, I need to be able to check the exact recipe before serving it. Around 21% of consumers put this compatibility first. |
| Cooking uses | The product description and whether sugar appears in the ingredients: chocolate drink mix or unsweetened cocoa. | If I want to switch between drinks and baking, I’d rather measure out the cocoa and other ingredients myself than start with a sweetened mix. Around 14% of consumers make this flexibility their main criterion. |
A 1 kg pack is only useful for your household if you’ll be able to use the powder in suitable conditions, including after the holidays.
Think about how often you’ll use it, then check the best-before date and the pack’s storage instructions.
In France, Article 1613 ter of the General Tax Code, published by Légifrance, applies to drinks and liquid drink preparations that meet the conditions set out in the legislation, including being packaged so they can be consumed as sold. It does not classify dry powders according to their sugar content.
To compare two powders, check their ingredient lists and ‘of which sugars’ figures instead.
According to the DGCCRF and Santé publique France, Nutri-Score is voluntary. If it’s not shown, you should still read the nutritional information required for prepacked foods.
Whether or not the logo appears, check the nutritional information, ingredients and allergens.
Auchan’s product listing for Banania 1 kg mentions wheat and barley; listings reviewed for other products flag soya or the possible presence of milk, depending on the product.
Check the label for the exact product and pack size you’ve chosen, even if you already know the brand.
The range includes chocolate drink mixes in different pack sizes, including a ‘Less Sugar’ option.
The Grand Arôme products reviewed include a 400 g ‘Less Sugar’ drink mix.
The 1 kg chocolate drink mix reviewed combines cocoa, cereals, banana and honey.
The range reviewed distinguishes between chocolate drink mixes, including Classic’ KaoMix, and Carrefour Original unsweetened cocoa.
The range reviewed includes, among other products, a 1 kg P’tit Déli chocolate drink mix and 800 g Tablette d'Or cocoa granules.
The Auchan range reviewed includes, among other products, 250 g of pure unsweetened cocoa, alongside chocolate drink mixes.
This selection mainly features chocolate drink mixes in 800 g or 1 kg packs, as well as a 400 g Poulain product. To choose, match the pack size to how you’ll use it and check the ingredients for each product.
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This pack size is worth considering if you regularly make chocolate drinks. The product name states 34% and a 1 kg pack; check the packaging to see what the percentage refers to, along with the allergen information and storage instructions.
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The 1 kg pack is worth considering for regular snacks if your household can use and store it properly. Check the ingredients and allergen information for this specific product before choosing it.
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This 800 g pack is designed for households that regularly make chocolate drinks. To compare its sugar content with another powder, check whether the figures shown are for 100 g of powder or for a prepared drink.
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The 800 g pack of granules may suit regular use. Read the nutritional information per 100 g and the storage instructions to compare it with the other drink mixes you’re considering.
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The 400 g pack is worth considering if you’d prefer a smaller quantity. Before comparing it with a ‘less sugar’ recipe, check the exact product description and the ‘of which sugars’ figure for this product.
Article 1613 ter of the General Tax Code, published by Légifrance, applies to drinks and liquid drink preparations that meet the conditions it sets out, including being packaged so they can be consumed as sold. It doesn’t make the sugar content of a dry powder a factor in choosing it for tax purposes; check the nutritional information to compare recipes.
No. The DGCCRF and Santé publique France describe Nutri-Score as a voluntary label. For the prepacked foods it applies to, the nutrition declaration is still worth checking, along with the ingredient list and allergen information, whether or not the logo appears.
Choose a quantity your household can use in line with the instructions on the packaging. Check the net quantity, best-before date and storage instructions after opening, especially if you’ll make chocolate drinks less often after the holidays.
Before buying, read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. For example, Auchan’s product listing for Banania 1 kg mentions wheat and barley; other recipes reviewed contain soya or warn of the possible presence of milk.
Follow the instructions on the pack and reseal it after use. Auchan’s product listings reviewed for Banania and Nesquik recommend storage at room temperature or in a cool, dry place, depending on the product. Also check the best-before date on the product you buy.