People in charge of self-service breaks
When several people help themselves, individual sachets mean there’s no need to measure out the powder for every cup. Coffee-Webstore, for example, lists a Nesquik product in a pack of 240 sachets.
Who are these formats suitable for?
Large households where someone makes the drinks
If you measure out each drink yourself, a 800 g to 1 kg pack of powder lets you adjust the amount you use. Poulain, Banania and Carrefour all offer products in these sizes.
Shoppers who pay attention to ingredients
To compare recipes, check the sugar per 100 g, ingredients list and allergens for each product. The French Ministry of the Economy points out that Nutri-Score, where shown, is optional.
How do sticks and powder compare?
Box of 240 sticks
Choose this if: several people make their own hot chocolate and you want individual servings without measuring.
Bear in mind: each serving has its own packaging, and the amount of powder is fixed for each stick.
Large pack of powder
Choose this if: you make the drinks and want to adjust how much powder you use.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to measure each serving and reseal the pack between uses.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual servings | Number and weight of the sticks; preparation instructions on the box. | When everyone helps themselves during a break, I want to avoid measuring the powder and have a set serving size. Around 36% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Measuring and quantity | Pack size; amount of powder to use per cup according to the instructions. | If I’m making several cups, I’d rather be able to adjust the amount I use than hand out sticks. This would be the main priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Sugar per 100 g, ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. | Before buying for other people, I need to be able to read the recipe and check for any allergens relevant to them. Around 28% of consumers would prioritise these checks. |
Things to watch out for
-
Assuming “240” is the weight rather than the number of sachets
A 240 g box is not the same as 240 individual servings. The number of cups depends on the pack size and how much powder you use in each one.
Check the number of sticks, the weight of each one and the preparation instructions together.
-
Assuming all chocolate powders have the same recipe
Poulain lists 67 g of sugar per 100 g for Grand Arôme; Banania lists 69 g for Original and includes ingredients such as wheat and barley in its recipe. These details apply to those specific products, not to every powder from these brands.
Read the nutrition information per 100 g and the allergen information on the packaging of the product you choose.
-
Relying on Nutri-Score instead of reading the label
In France, Nutri-Score is optional. The Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control points out that nutrition information must appear on the relevant prepacked food products.
Whether or not the logo is displayed, compare the nutrition values on the same basis, particularly the sugar per 100 g.
Brands to consider
Nesquik
Coffee-Webstore lists a Nesquik hot chocolate product in a pack of 240 individual sachets.
- The pack is designed for serving individual portions.
- The product information states that it contains milk. Check the preparation instructions and allergens before offering it to several people.
Poulain
Poulain describes Grand Arôme as a cocoa powder available in sizes including 250 g, 450 g and 800 g.
- The brand states that Grand Arôme contains 32% cocoa, a feature you can compare with the product you’re considering.
- Poulain lists 67 g of sugar per 100 g and says this product may contain milk. This information does not apply to other Poulain products.
Banania
Banania offers its Original chocolate powder in 250 g, 400 g and 1 kg packs.
- According to Banania, the Original recipe combines cocoa, cereals, banana and honey.
- The brand lists 69 g of sugar per 100 g, and the recipe includes wheat and barley. It also notes that the product may contain traces of milk and soya.
Carrefour Classic'
Carrefour offers chocolate powders under its own brand, including 800 g and 1 kg packs.
- These pack sizes are suitable if you prefer to measure out each serving yourself.
- Check the product listing and packaging for the exact product’s ingredients, allergens and nutrition information.
Joybuy products for these uses
These products include small packs of sticks and powder that you measure out yourself. The stick packs featured here contain 10 and 6 servings, not 240, so check how much you’ll need for your breaks before choosing.
Image unavailable
DAMTUH Pokémon hot chocolate, 10 sachets of 20 g
The individual sachets are handy for making one cup at a time. This pack of 10 sachets is not the same as a box of 240 servings.
Before buying, check the packaging for the ingredients, allergens and sugar information for this product.
Image unavailable
AGF Blendy Stick Cocoa with milk, 6 sticks, 66 g
The 6 sticks let you make individual cups, but this small pack is not a substitute for a box of 240 servings.
Follow the preparation instructions and check the nutrition information and allergens on the packaging you buy.
Image unavailable
BENCO Less Sugar chocolate granules powder, 400 g
This 400 g pack of powder is for people who prefer to measure out each cup themselves; it is not packaged in individual portions.
The variant name is no substitute for checking the sugar per 100 g and the ingredients list on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score compulsory on prepacked hot chocolate in France?
No. As the French Ministry of the Economy explains, Nutri-Score is optional. To compare prepacked products, check their nutrition information, particularly the sugar per 100 g, whether or not the logo is shown.
What should I check before buying chocolate sticks or powder?
Check the number of sticks or the pack size, then look at the preparation instructions, ingredients, allergens and nutrition information for the product you’ve chosen. If you’ll be using it over several weeks, also check the best-before date and storage instructions on the packaging.
How should I store chocolate powder after opening?
Follow the instructions on the packaging. As a product-specific example, the Joybuy listing for a Nesquik powder says to seal the sachet tightly after use. Check the instructions on the pack you buy rather than assuming the same advice applies to every brand.