Hosts keeping an eye on sugar
You want to check the stated sugar content and spot any sweeteners before choosing drinks for pre-dinner get-togethers.
Who are these formats for?
Hosts serving several glasses
You’d rather measure out the coffee, water or milk separately, so you can tailor each glass to your guests’ preferences.
People avoiding lactose
You’re looking for a lactose-related claim on a ready-to-drink beverage, while checking the ingredients separately for milk.
What should you look for?
When choosing between a ready-to-drink latte and a concentrate, first check the ingredients for the exact product. Then consider how many glasses you need to serve and how much preparation you’re happy to do.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars and sweeteners | Compare the sugars per 100 ml and per serving; check the ingredients list too. | If I want to cut down on sugar, a “diet” claim alone isn’t enough to help me choose a drink. Around 50% of consumers are said to prioritise checking sugars and sweeteners. |
| Preparing several glasses | Check the recommended measure and storage instructions after opening. For the L’OR caramel concentrate listed by Auchan, use 30 ml of concentrate with 150 ml of water or milk. | When I’m serving several guests, I want to make each glass separately, without assuming the concentrate itself is sugar-free. Around 30% of consumers are said to prioritise being able to customise their drinks. |
| Individual servings and milk | Check the volume, any lactose-related claim and the allergens: “lactose-free” doesn’t mean “milk-free”. | When serving an individual drink without mixing, I also want to know whether it contains milk if that matters to a guest. Around 20% of consumers are said to prioritise convenience and being able to check this information. |
Common mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “reduced in sugars” means “sugar-free”
These claims don’t mean the same thing when you’re choosing a drink to cut down on sugar.
Check the exact claim, then compare the sugars per 100 ml and per serving size.
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Assuming a flavoured concentrate is sugar-free
The fact that a concentrate can be diluted doesn’t change its ingredients: Auchan states that L’OR caramel contains 20 g of sugars per 100 ml.
Before choosing this format for its customisation options, check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific flavour.
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Confusing “lactose-free” with “milk-free”
The Starbucks Caffè Latte listed by Carrefour is labelled lactose-free, but its ingredients list shows that it contains 75% milk.
If a guest needs to avoid milk, check the ingredients list and allergens rather than relying on the lactose-related claim alone.
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Forgetting about the bottle after opening
For the L’OR caramel concentrate listed by Auchan, the label says to refrigerate it after opening and use it within four weeks.
Before choosing a large bottle for a one-off evening, check the storage instructions for the product you’re buying.
If you don’t plan to use the concentrate again within the stated time, some of it could go to waste.
Brands to know for these formats
Starbucks
Worth considering if you want to serve iced latte in an individual portion.
- Carrefour lists the 22 cl Caffè Latte with the claims “reduced in sugars” and “lactose-free”.
- This product contains 75% milk and the sweetener acesulfame-K. Its claims mean neither “milk-free” nor “sugar-free”.
NESCAFÉ
Iced coffee concentrates to dilute when you’re ready to serve.
- Carrefour lists, among other options, a 500 ml bottle of Classic concentrate.
- Before choosing a flavour to cut down on sugar, check its ingredients and stated sugar content.
L’OR
Concentrates to dilute; check the ingredients and instructions for each flavour.
- For its caramel product, Auchan recommends mixing 30 ml of concentrate with 150 ml of water or milk.
- This particular product contains 20 g of sugars per 100 ml. It should be refrigerated after opening and used within four weeks. These details don’t apply to other flavours.
An option on Joybuy
This individual coffee option is worth considering for pre-dinner drinks if its instructions confirm it can be served cold and its ingredients meet your requirements for sugar.
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UCC MAJOR scent and rich black no sugar, 185 ml
The 185 ml size may suit an individual serving. The product title includes the claim “no sugar”. Before choosing it for iced coffee, check the stated sugar content, ingredients and serving instructions for this product.
Frequently asked questions
Does “reduced in sugars” mean “sugar-free”?
No. Don’t treat these claims as interchangeable. The DGCCRF states that nutrition claims, including “reduced in sugars”, are regulated. When choosing iced coffee, check the stated sugar content and the ingredients for the exact product.
How do you dilute L’OR caramel concentrate for iced coffee?
For this caramel product, Auchan recommends mixing 30 ml of concentrate with 150 ml of water or milk. The drink can be served cold. If you choose another flavour, check the instructions on the bottle.
How should you store concentrate after opening?
For the L’OR caramel concentrate listed by Auchan, refrigerate the bottle after opening and use it within four weeks. If you choose another brand or flavour, follow the instructions for that product.