If you’re watching your sugar intake
You want to compare recipes and serving sizes before choosing a chocolate drink powder for your snacks, rather than relying on the claim on the box alone.
Who is this guide for?
If you like to customise your cocoa
You prefer to decide how sweet your drink should be and want to distinguish unsweetened cocoa from a chocolate drink powder that’s already sweetened.
If you keep powder in the cupboard
You’re looking for a size that suits how often you use it, and want to know how to store the powder and prepare a serving when you’re out and about.
What should you look for?
Start by choosing the type of recipe, then compare nutritional values on the same basis. If you’re taking a serving with you, preparation instructions matter just as much as the size of the pack.
‘Less sugar’ chocolate drink powder
Choose this if: you want a ready-made recipe but would like to compare its sugar content with other powders.
Bear in mind: the stated reduction depends on the comparison product and serving size shown on the packaging.
Classic chocolate drink powder
Choose this if: you’re looking for a sweetened recipe that you don’t have to mix yourself.
Bear in mind: ingredients and sugar content vary between products.
Unsweetened cocoa
Choose this if: you want to decide for yourself what to add to the powder.
Bear in mind: this isn’t the same as sweetened chocolate drink powder, so you’ll need to adjust the preparation to suit your taste.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare the sugar content per 100 g of powder, then check the serving size and the basis for any ‘less sugar’ claim. | I want to choose a recipe knowing how much powder goes into my drink, rather than relying on a claim on the box. Around 36% of consumers would make this sugar comparison a priority. |
| Preparing it away from home | Check the serving size, the liquid required and how to carry a portion of powder in a suitable container. | If I’m planning a snack after exercising, I need to be able to prepare the powder when I get there, not just put it in my bag. Ease of preparation would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Type of recipe | Tell unsweetened cocoa apart from chocolate drink powder; check the ingredients and cocoa percentage where shown. | I prefer to choose how sweet it is myself, or to enjoy a ready-made chocolate recipe. For around 21% of consumers, this freedom to customise would come ahead of other criteria. |
| Cupboard size | Consider the quantity in relation to how often you use it, and read the storage instructions. | A large tin only suits me if I can use and store it according to the instructions. Pack size would be the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on the Nutri-Score alone
According to the DGCCRF, displaying the Nutri-Score is still voluntary in France. It doesn’t replace checking the nutritional information, serving size and ingredients.
If it appears on the packaging, consider it alongside the values per 100 g and the allergen information.
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Comparing sugar figures shown on different bases
A figure per 100 g of powder, a figure per serving and one for a drink made with milk don’t describe the same amount consumed.
Compare the powders per 100 g first, then check the serving size and liquid required for each preparation.
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Confusing portable powder with a ready-to-drink beverage
Taking a portion of powder with you isn’t enough to make hot chocolate when you’re away from home.
Read the instructions for the product you’ve chosen, and take a suitable container and the required liquid.
Depending on how you plan to prepare it, you may also need to carry a pre-measured portion separately and have hot water or milk available.
Brands to know when comparing recipes
Nesquik
The range includes classic chocolate drink powders and a Less Sugar version.
- The Carrefour product listing for Nesquik Less Sugar states that it contains 35% cocoa.
- The stated 35% reduction in sugars is per mug and compared with the average for cocoa drinks for children, not all powders.
Poulain
Grand Arôme is available in several recipes with different cocoa contents.
- The Auchan product listing for Grand Arôme Less Sugar states that it contains at least 47% cocoa.
- The same product lists 52 g of sugars per 100 g; check which version you’re choosing and its allergen information.
Banania
Banania Original includes cocoa, cereals, banana and honey.
- The brand describes its packaging as resealable.
- The Banania Original product listing states 69 g of sugars per 100 g and lists wheat; check the allergen information before buying.
Carrefour Classic'
The 400 g product is a supermarket own-brand chocolate drink powder.
- The Carrefour product listing states that it contains 21% cocoa.
- The same listing gives 77,355 g of added sugars per 100 g: compare this with figures expressed on the same basis.
Auchan
The products reviewed include a sweetened chocolate drink powder and a cocoa powder described as unsweetened.
- The Auchan listing for its pure unsweetened cocoa states that its sugars are naturally occurring.
- The other product, Chocolat intense 32 % cacao, contains sugar, so don’t confuse the two recipes.
EQUADOR
This product, distributed by E.Leclerc, is an unsweetened cocoa powder, not a ready-sweetened chocolate drink mix.
- The E.Leclerc product listing includes cocoa powder and an acidity regulator.
- If you want a sweet drink, you’ll need to adjust the ingredients you add during preparation.
Powders and cocoa available on Joybuy
This selection includes chocolate drink powders in individual portions or cupboard-friendly packs, as well as a cocoa powder. If you’re choosing something to take in your gym bag, compare the recipe and plan how you’ll prepare a serving.
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DAMTUH Pokémon Sugar Free, 10 sachets of 20 g
The individual sachets make it easy to take a portion of powder with you, ready to prepare with the liquid specified on the packaging.
Sugar Free is part of the product name. Before choosing this recipe, check the ingredients list, nutritional information and allergen details for the serving together.
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Poulain Cocoa with Rich Flavor, 400 g
This cupboard-friendly pack could suit you if you want to check the recipe of a chocolate drink powder before measuring it out for your drinks.
To prepare a serving when you’re out and about, check the packaging for the amount of powder and liquid to use.
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Suchard instant hot chocolate, 20% cocoa, 1 kg
This large pack of sweetened chocolate drink powder is for people who prefer to measure out a serving from a pack kept in the cupboard.
If you take some with you, use a suitable container for your portion and check the preparation instructions and allergen information.
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Van Houten VH1F, cocoa powder 14.7%, 1 kg
This cocoa powder is worth considering if you’d rather make up your own drink than buy a ready-sweetened chocolate recipe.
Before buying, check the version and what ‘14.7%’ means on the label: the figure in the title alone doesn’t tell you the proportion of cocoa.
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Benco Less Sugar, chocolate drink granules, 400 g
These granules can be compared with other chocolate drink recipes designed to be stored in the cupboard.
The Less Sugar claim doesn’t tell you the size of the reduction on its own. Before choosing a portion to take with you, check the sugars per 100 g, the product used for comparison and the preparation instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score compulsory on hot chocolate powder?
No. According to the DGCCRF, displaying it is still voluntary in France. A nutrition declaration is generally required for prepacked foods. Use it to compare, in particular, sugars per 100 g, then check the prepared serving too.
How can I compare the sugar content of two powders?
First compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g of powder across similar products. Then check the amount used and whether the figures per serving also include milk or another added liquid.
Is a tin of chocolate powder enough for a snack in a gym bag?
No. The powder needs to be prepared according to the instructions for the product you’ve chosen. If you take a serving with you, remember to bring the liquid and container you’ll need rather than treating it as a ready-to-drink beverage.
How should I store the powder after opening?
Follow the instructions on the packaging for your product. The Poulain and Auchan product listings we reviewed advise storing the powder away from heat and moisture. Reseal the container after use and check the date shown on it.