If you regularly serve several cups, choose a tub of powder that you can measure out. If you prefer individual portions, look at sachets. To compare recipes, check the sugar content on the same basis and consider how much powder you use per cup. Pure cocoa lets you decide how much sugar to add, but you’ll need to prepare the drink rather than simply measure out an already-sweetened powder.
If hot chocolate is a regular feature at family dinners, choose a pack size based on how many cups you make and whether you can store the powder after opening. Banania offers its Original powder in 250 g, 400 g and 1 kg packs.
Sweetened cocoa powder, a “less sugar” recipe and pure cocoa are prepared in different ways. Compare the nutrition information and take account of any sugar added to each cup.
Before choosing a pack for the whole family, check the ingredients and any warnings about traces on the exact product. Some recipes may mention cereals containing gluten, milk or soya.
For a family dinner, start by thinking about how many cups you need to serve, then compare the recipe and how it’s prepared. A pre-measured sachet, a tub of cocoa powder and pure cocoa each meet different needs.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Format and portions | Pack weight and the amount of powder needed per cup. | If I serve several cups across family meals, I want a pack size that suits how often I’ll use it; pack size would be the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Sugar and recipe | Sugar per 100 g of powder, followed by the amount used and any ingredients added to the cup. | To control the sugar in each drink, I need to distinguish between an already-sweetened powder and pure cocoa. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise having this control over the recipe. |
| Preparation | Amount per cup and preparation instructions, including which liquid to add. | When I need to serve several drinks at once, I prefer portions that are already measured out; simple preparation would be the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and traces | The ingredients list and allergen warnings on the exact pack. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I check that the recipe is suitable before choosing a family-size pack; around 20% of consumers would put this check ahead of other criteria. |
A product range name doesn’t tell you everything about its recipe. Carrefour lists 68 g of added sugars per 100 g for the Carrefour Bio chocolate powder reviewed.
Check the “of which sugars” line in the nutrition information and compare values given on the same basis.
A value per 100 g of powder and a value for a drink made with milk don’t refer to the same preparation.
First compare powders per 100 g, then take account of the amount used, the milk and any sugar added to the cup.
Banania says its Original powder contains cereals with gluten and may contain traces of milk and soya. Warnings vary between recipes.
If a guest has an allergy, check the ingredients and trace warnings on the exact pack before serving.
An individual portion saves you measuring out the powder, but the number of sachets needs to match how many cups you plan to serve at dinner.
Count the portions you’ll need and check what you have to add to prepare each drink.
Cocoa powders are available in larger packs as well as individual sachets.
Banania’s Original chocolate powder is available in 250 g, 400 g and 1 kg packs.
The Grand Arôme range includes a “Less Sugar” product.
The retailer offers several chocolate powder recipes, including a Carrefour Bio product.
The range includes P’tit Déli chocolate powder in a 1 kg pack.
The retailer lists chocolate powder with 32% cocoa, as well as 100% organic cocoa.
This selection includes individual sachets and powders in packs of different sizes. Choose according to how many cups you need to serve, and check the recipe for each product rather than assuming that a large pack or a claim on the front will suit everyone in your household.
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The ten individual sachets make it easy to plan one portion per cup without measuring out the powder by the spoonful.
Before relying on the “sugar free” claim, check the sugars and ingredients list on the exact pack.
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The 1 kg pack could suit you if you make several cups across family meals.
Check the sugars per 100 g, allergens and recommended serving amount before preparing portions.
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This 1 kg pack is worth considering if you want to use the powder for several occasions.
Read the nutrition information and ingredients list on the exact pack, especially if a guest needs to avoid certain allergens.
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The 400 g pack could suit you if you want a powder you can measure out but don’t need a 1 kg pack.
The “Less Sugar” claim doesn’t replace checking the sugars per 100 g and the amount used per cup.
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The 800 g pack lets you measure out several cups from the same pack.
Check the sugars, ingredients and allergen warnings on the pack before serving it to your household.
No. As the DGCCRF explains, displaying Nutri-Score is voluntary. Other rules apply to nutrition declarations on prepacked foods, so don’t confuse these with the Nutri-Score label.
Its sugar content alone isn’t enough to determine whether it is subject to the tax. Légifrance describes a levy that applies to drinks and liquid preparations for drinks; check what kind of product it is before applying this rule to a dry powder.
First compare the grams of sugar per 100 g of powder. Then look at the amount used and any ingredients added to the cup; a value for dry powder can’t be compared directly with one for a prepared drink.
No. The 100% cocoa from Auchan is prepared with milk and sugar to taste, according to the retailer. It lets you choose whether to add sugar, but you’ll need to prepare each drink yourself.
Before serving, read the ingredients and trace warnings on the exact pack. Depending on the recipe, a powder may contain cereals with gluten or warn of possible traces of milk and soya; a family-size pack doesn’t guarantee it’s suitable for everyone.