Parents who want a measured serving
If you want to make a mug without guessing how much powder to pour in, a sachet gives you a repeatable starting amount. You’ll also need to take into account the volume of milk recommended for preparation.
Who are these formats for?
Shoppers who compare sugar content first
The packaging alone won’t tell you which of two recipes is the better choice. Check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g of powder, then consider how much you plan to use.
Households mindful of ingredients
The ingredients to check will vary between a cocoa-based powder and a recipe containing cereals. The label on the product you buy is what matters when checking allergens and possible traces.
What should you compare?
For a sweet breakfast, first decide whether you’d rather have a pre-measured sachet or a tin that you measure out yourself. Then compare the sugar content and ingredients for the exact recipe, without confusing the values for the powder with those for a prepared mug.
Individual sachets
Worth considering: if a measured serving means you don’t have to measure the powder every morning; Auchan recommends one 13.5 g sachet for 200 ml of milk for the Nesquik product reviewed.
Bear in mind: the sachet fixes the amount of powder, not the sugar content of the drink once you’ve added milk.
‘Less sugar’ powder in a tin
Worth considering: if the listed sugar content matters more to you than a pre-measured serving; Auchan lists 52 g of sugars per 100 g for the Poulain ‘less sugar’ product reviewed.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to decide how much to pour, and this figure doesn’t apply to every Poulain recipe.
Tin of a cereal-based recipe
Worth considering: if several people use the same powder and want to adjust their own serving; Banania Original is available in 250 g, 400 g and 1 kg formats.
Bear in mind: Banania Original contains wheat and barley, so this recipe isn’t suitable if you need to avoid gluten.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Serving and preparation | The sachet weight and the volume of liquid specified for the product you’ve chosen. | If you want your mug ready without measuring the powder, a pre-portioned serving is the main consideration; around 40% of consumers prioritise having a defined portion. |
| Sugar content of the recipe | The ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g of powder and the amount you pour into your mug. | If you want to compare two recipes by their listed sugar content, the format alone won’t help; for around 30% of consumers, this is the priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | The ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging you buy. | In a household where certain ingredients need to be avoided, the ingredients matter more than the packaging format; around 30% of consumers prioritise suitability or finding the recipe they want. |
Common misunderstandings to avoid
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Assuming a small pack contains less sugar
A sachet determines how much powder is in each pack, but it doesn’t change the recipe’s composition.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for the specific products you’re interested in, then check the amount used for each mug.
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Comparing dry powder with a prepared drink
The values for a mug made with milk include the milk, so they aren’t directly comparable with the figures for 100 g of dry powder.
Start by comparing the powders on the same basis. To compare two mugs, use the same volume and type of milk, as well as a measured amount of powder.
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Relying on the Nutri-Score alone
The DGCCRF states that displaying the Nutri-Score is voluntary in France, while a nutrition declaration is mandatory for the relevant prepacked foods.
If two products in the same aisle display the Nutri-Score, you can consider it alongside their nutrition information, ingredients and allergens.
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Assuming allergens from the brand or format
Nestlé Professional France’s product information for the Nesquik sachet mentions soya and a possible presence of milk. Banania lists wheat and barley in its Original recipe.
If you have an allergy or need to avoid an ingredient, check the packaging for the specific product you’re going to use.
Brands to know when comparing recipes
Nesquik
The sachet product featured by Auchan contains 12 servings of 13.5 g, with preparation instructions for 200 ml of milk.
- The individual serving means you don’t have to measure the powder each time you make a drink.
- According to Nestlé Professional France, this product contains soya and may contain milk; check the recipe for the format you buy.
Poulain
Two different products let you compare listed sugar content without assuming the results apply to the whole brand.
- Auchan’s product information lists 52 g of sugars per 100 g for Grand Arôme ‘less sugar’, compared with 66 g for the Grand Arôme 32% cocoa product reviewed.
- These figures apply to the recipes listed, not to every Poulain hot chocolate powder.
Banania
Banania offers its Original chocolate powder in 250 g, 400 g and 1 kg formats.
- The different formats let you choose a tin to suit your household’s needs, while measuring out each mug yourself.
- The Original recipe contains wheat and barley; also check the packaging for information about possible traces.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour’s hot chocolate range includes an 800 g Classic' tin.
- This format is one option to consider when comparing tins that you measure out yourself.
- To compare recipes, check the sugar content per 100 g and the allergens for the specific product.
Hot chocolate powders on Joybuy
This selection includes two individual-portion formats and a tin of granulated powder. When choosing between them for breakfast, distinguish pre-portioned servings from the nutrition information and ingredients for each recipe.
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DAMTUH Pokémon Sugar Free, 10 sachets of 20 g
This format is a good fit if you want to prepare an individual serving without measuring powder from a tin.
The product title lists 10 sachets of 20 g. Don’t infer its nutritional composition from the words ‘Sugar Free’ alone: check the nutrition information and ingredients for the product you buy.
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AGF Blendy Stick Cocoa with milk, 6 sticks, 66 g
Sachets are a handy option if you want your powder pre-portioned into individual servings.
The product title lists 6 sticks weighing 66 g in total. If sugar content or allergens guide your choice, check this product’s nutrition information and ingredients before comparing it with another recipe.
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BENCO Less Sugar, granulated hot chocolate powder, 400 g
This tin is for anyone who prefers to choose how much powder to use per mug rather than using a sachet.
The product title lists a 400 g granulated format. To assess the ‘Less Sugar’ claim, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g with that of another specific recipe, and take the amount you pour into account.
Frequently asked questions
Does a sachet of hot chocolate powder always contain less sugar than a tin?
No. A sachet fixes the amount of powder, not the recipe’s sugar content. Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g for the products you’ve chosen, then check how much you use in each mug.
Is the Nutri-Score mandatory on chocolate powder in France?
No. The DGCCRF states that displaying the Nutri-Score is voluntary in France, while a nutrition declaration is mandatory for the relevant prepacked foods. If it appears on the pack, read it alongside the nutrition information and ingredients.
Does the ‘soda tax’ automatically apply to hot chocolate powder?
No, you shouldn’t automatically apply this classification to a dry powder. The French Ministry of the Economy describes the so-called ‘soda tax’ as applying to sugary drinks; that description alone doesn’t establish that dry hot chocolate powder is subject to it.
Which ingredients should you check before choosing a chocolate powder?
Check the packaging for allergens and possible traces for the product you’ve chosen. Nestlé Professional France lists soya and a possible presence of milk for the Nesquik sachet reviewed; Banania lists wheat and barley in its Original recipe.