Hosts who want individual portions
If you’re making a few drinks as the occasion goes on, a sachet saves everyone from having to measure out the powder. Auchan and Carrefour, for example, offer packs of 12 sachets, each weighing 13.5 g.
Who are these formats for?
People comparing recipes
When choosing between different powders, check the sugars per 100 g, the ingredients list and the allergens. According to Santé publique France, Nutri-Score is optional, so its absence isn’t enough to judge a product.
Hosts making several drinks
A tub lets you measure out the powder for each drink. Carrefour and Auchan offer a range of sizes, including containers from 300 g to 1 kg. Choose an amount that suits the number of drinks you plan to make.
What should you look for?
For drinks and nibbles, first choose between pre-portioned sachets and powder you measure out yourself, then check the recipe you plan to serve.
Individual sachets
Choose these if: you’re making drinks one at a time and want a set amount of powder in each sachet.
Bear in mind: a sachet alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar it contains or whether it includes allergens.
Tub to measure from
Choose this if: you’re making several drinks and want to adjust the amount of powder yourself.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to measure each serving, and you may have some of a large tub left after the meal.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and serving | Number of sachets, grams per sachet and preparation instructions. | When drinks are served one at a time, I want a consistent amount of powder without having to get a spoon out. Around 50% of consumers put individual portions first. |
| Ingredients | Sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens for the exact product. | If I’m choosing between different recipes, I want to check their ingredients before serving my guests. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Amount to prepare | Net weight, recommended serving and storage instructions after opening. | To make several drinks, I need enough powder without relying on individual sachets. Around 17% of consumers prioritise the amount available and being able to measure it themselves. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
-
Confusing drink powder with mini bites
When you’re making a chocolate drink, “mini” here means a small portion of powder, not a ready-to-eat sweet.
Check the product name and the weight of each sachet before choosing.
-
Using the tax on sugary drinks as a way to choose
Article 1613 ter of the French General Tax Code, published on Légifrance, covers drinks and liquid preparations that meet the specified conditions. It doesn’t mean that a powder sold for consumers to dilute automatically counts as a taxed drink.
To compare powders, check the sugars per 100 g and the recommended amount for making a drink instead.
-
Reading too much into the absence of Nutri-Score
According to Santé publique France, displaying Nutri-Score is voluntary. The DGCCRF distinguishes this rating from the nutritional declaration required for prepacked foods.
Check the nutritional information and ingredients, whether or not Nutri-Score appears on the pack.
Brands to know in these formats
Nesquik
Auchan offers a Nesquik pack of 12 sachets, each weighing 13.5 g. Carrefour also offers tubs in several sizes.
- The sachets give you pre-portioned servings for making drinks individually.
- Check the exact format: a tub isn’t the same as a pack of sachets.
Banania
Banania Original contains ingredients including cocoa, cereals, banana flakes and honey.
- Its ingredients make it easy to distinguish from classic chocolate powders.
- The Banania Original product listing states 69 g of sugars per 100 g and that it contains wheat. Check the label on the product you buy.
Poulain
The Auchan range includes several Poulain recipes, including Grand arôme and one labelled “moins de sucres” (“less sugar”).
- The product names help you tell the different recipes in the range apart.
- A claim on the range doesn’t replace checking the sugars per 100 g and the ingredients for the product you choose.
Carrefour
The Carrefour range includes several own-brand chocolate powders, including Classic’, KaoMix and Intense.
- The range includes containers in different sizes for making several drinks.
- Check the exact recipe and weight: products in the range aren’t interchangeable.
Auchan
The Auchan range includes unsweetened pure cocoa as well as chocolate drink powders to measure out.
- This distinction helps you choose between pure cocoa and a drink powder.
- Unsweetened pure cocoa isn’t the same as instant chocolate powder. Check the ingredients and preparation instructions.
Chocolate powders on Joybuy
This selection includes individual sachets for serving drinks as you go, as well as tubs to measure from when making several drinks. Always check the label for the exact product you’re buying.
Image unavailable
DAMTUH Hot Chocolate Sugar Free Pokemon, 10 × 20 g
The ten pre-portioned sachets give you one serving of powder per drink. “Sugar Free” is part of the product name, so check the sugars, ingredients and allergens on the exact pack.
Image unavailable
AGF Blendy Stick Cocoa au Lait, 6 sticks, 66 g
This pack of six sticks is handy for serving drinks one at a time. Before serving, check the pack for preparation instructions, sugars and allergens.
Image unavailable
BENCO Less Sugar Chocolate Powder in Granules, 400 g
This tub of granules lets you make several drinks, using the amount you prefer. “Less Sugar” is part of the product name, so compare the sugars per 100 g on the label rather than assuming what it contains from the wording alone.
Image unavailable
Bananina Original, chocolate powder, 1 kg
Measure from the 1 kg tub for each drink. Check how much you plan to make and how to store the product once opened. Also check the sugars and allergens on this exact pack rather than assuming it has the same features as another brand with a similar name.
Image unavailable
Poulain Cocoa with Rich Flavor, 400 g
Measure from this 400 g pack to make as many drinks as you need. Before serving, check the recommended serving size, sugars per 100 g, ingredients and allergens on the pack for this product.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score mandatory on hot chocolate powder?
No. According to Santé publique France, displaying it is voluntary in France. The DGCCRF states that a nutritional declaration is among the information required for prepacked foods. Check it even if no Nutri-Score appears on the pack.
What should I check if any guests have allergies?
Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack before serving the drink. Recipes vary: for example, the Banania Original product listing says it contains wheat.
How many drinks can you make with sachets?
Start by counting the pre-portioned sachets and follow the preparation instructions. The Nesquik product offered by Auchan contains 12 sachets, each weighing 13.5 g. With a tub, use the serving size specified for the product you’ve chosen rather than assuming one spoonful equals one sachet.
Does the French tax on sugary drinks apply to powder you dilute?
Powder sold for consumers to dilute isn’t automatically covered by the levy set out in Article 1613 ter of the French General Tax Code. The text published on Légifrance applies to drinks and liquid preparations under the conditions it defines. When choosing a powder, check its own nutritional declaration.