For a picnic in the park, choose an instant mix if you want to stir it into a hot drink without measuring out cocoa and sugar separately. Choose pure, unsweetened cocoa if you’d rather decide how much sugar to add yourself. A chocolate powder that states its cocoa percentage gives you another recipe to compare, but check the ingredients, sugars, allergens and preparation instructions for each product too.
If you’re taking hot milk in a flask, an instant mix means you don’t have to carry and measure out cocoa and sugar separately. However, check the recommended amount of powder and the ingredients for the product you choose.
Pure, unsweetened cocoa lets you decide whether or not to add sugar to your drink. The trade-off is that you’ll need to pack the ingredients separately and check how best to mix them.
A stated cocoa percentage or the addition of cereals, banana and honey can help you choose a recipe. Read the full ingredients and allergen list: these powders aren’t interchangeable.
First, decide whether you want a ready-made mix or cocoa that you can measure out yourself. Then check how to prepare the drink and how to transport the liquid you plan to use.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Making it on the go | The amount per cup and the liquid specified on the packaging. | I want to stir the powder into an already hot drink without preparing several ingredients; around 40% of consumers would make convenience their top priority. |
| Controlling the sugar | Sugars per 100 g of powder, the recommended serving and the ingredients list. | I’d rather choose how much sugar to add myself than start with an already sweetened powder; around 30% of consumers would put this control first. |
| Recipe and flavour | The cocoa percentage, if stated, as well as the other ingredients and allergens. | I’m particularly interested in a recipe with a stronger cocoa flavour or one containing cereals; around 20% of consumers would prioritise the recipe’s flavour profile. |
| Transporting milk | Milk storage instructions and a container suited to your journey. | I need to plan the journey with milk without confusing its storage requirements with those for dry powder; for around 10% of consumers, this would be the main priority. |
Auchan’s Intense powder contains 32% cocoa, according to Auchan. But this figure alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar is in the recipe.
Compare the cocoa percentage with the “of which sugars” figure in the nutrition information per 100 g, then consider the amount you’ll use in your drink.
Carrefour describes its Original cocoa powder as having “no added sugars”. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the powder contains no naturally occurring sugars.
Check the “of which sugars” figure and remember to include any sugar you might add when making your drink.
According to Santé publique France, producers can choose whether to display Nutri-Score. Its absence alone is therefore no way to judge a powder.
If it is shown, check the nutrition declaration, ingredients and allergens for the exact product too.
Keeping powder away from moisture doesn’t take care of how the milk is stored. Anses advises that keeping food at a low temperature slows the growth of micro-organisms.
If you’re taking cold milk, follow its storage instructions and use a suitable container for the journey. Keep the powder separate until you’re ready to make your drink.
An Auchan listing describes a Nesquik product as an instant powder mix for a cocoa-flavoured drink.
According to its ingredients list, Banania Original combines cocoa, cereals, banana and honey.
The Carrefour range includes Poulain Grand Arôme and Grand Arôme Moins de Sucres.
Carrefour offers an Original cocoa powder with “no added sugars” and an organic chocolate powder whose recipe contains 68% organic cane sugar and 32% cocoa.
E.Leclerc describes P’tit Deli as an instant chocolate drink mix containing cocoa, and EQUADOR as an unsweetened cocoa powder.
Auchan offers an Intense chocolate powder with 32% cocoa, as well as pure, unsweetened cocoa powder.
These powders offer different ways to make hot chocolate in the park, from individual sachets to granules and powders you can measure out yourself. Start by choosing one that suits your drink and how much control you want over the sugar.
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Individual sachets are handy if you want to portion everything out before you leave. The product name states that it contains 10 sachets of 20 g; check the ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions on the packaging.
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If you plan to measure out the powder on the day, check the recommended amount per cup and mixing instructions before you go. The stated pack size is 400 g; compare the sugars on the label for this product.
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For a drink in the park, check the recommended amount of granules per serving and which liquid to use. The stated pack size is 400 g; the name “Less Sugar” doesn’t replace comparing the sugars in the nutrition information.
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If you plan to mix the powder with milk at your picnic, check the recommended amount and preparation temperature for this Original version. The pack size is 300 g; store the milk according to its own storage instructions.
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This pack of sachets is handy if you’d rather take separate portions than a tub to measure out on the day. It contains 10 sachets of 20 g; check the recommended amount of liquid and the allergens before making your drink.
Dry powder sold as such is not covered by the rules for drinks and liquid drink preparations described by Légifrance in the version in force on 16 September 2026. The fact that the powder contains sugar doesn’t, by itself, bring it within that scope; sugar content is still something to check on the label.
No. Santé publique France says that displaying Nutri-Score is voluntary for producers. Whether or not it appears on the packaging, check the nutrition declaration, ingredients and allergens when comparing the powders you’re interested in.
Read the label on the product and pack you’re taking with you. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the label. For example, the ingredients list for Banania Original mentions cereals containing wheat and barley; don’t assume another powder has the same ingredients.
Taking the powder separately lets you make your drink closer to the time you plan to have it, as long as you have a suitable drink to mix it with. If you’re taking cold milk, follow its storage instructions during the journey: Anses advises that keeping food at a low temperature slows the growth of micro-organisms.