Runners who want hot chocolate
For a chocolate drink around race day, the Leonidas pyramid is melted in hot milk. It isn’t a tea bag to steep in water.
Who are these formats for?
Runners who prefer a light infusion
The Eléphant cocoa infusion is made with water. It’s a hot drink for when you fancy one, but it shouldn’t be mistaken for hot chocolate or a source of energy during a race.
Runners who prefer handy portions
A powder stick lets you take a separate portion with you. You’ll still need to check the liquid required, ingredients and allergens for the product you choose.
What sets these formats apart?
Start with the drink you want: a chocolate pyramid to melt, an infusion in a pyramid tea bag and a portioned powder are all prepared differently.
Chocolate pyramid
Choose this if: you want hot chocolate and have hot milk to melt the pyramid in.
Bear in mind: you’ll need milk to prepare it, so it isn’t suitable for drinking on the go during a race.
Cocoa infusion in a pyramid tea bag
Choose this if: you’re looking for a hot infusion with a cocoa flavour, made with water.
Remember: the Eléphant product is a herbal infusion, not hot chocolate intended to provide carbohydrates during a race.
Chocolate stick or powder
Choose this if: portion control or portability matters more to you than a pyramid format.
Remember: recipes and preparation liquids vary between products, and this format isn’t a pyramid tea bag.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Type of drink | Read the product description and check whether it melts in milk or steeps in water. | I want the taste and preparation of hot chocolate, rather than an infusion simply flavoured with cocoa. Among consumers considering these formats around a marathon, around 42% prioritise this distinction. |
| Sugars and serving size | Compare sugars and carbohydrates per 100 g or 100 ml, then check the serving prepared with the liquid you plan to use. | Before choosing a drink for around race time, I want to understand what’s actually in the cup I’ll be drinking. Around 33% of these consumers make this a priority. |
| Portability and ingredients | Check the size of each portion, the liquid needed and the ingredients, including any listed allergens. | If I want to take a portion with me without carrying a large pack, I prefer an individual serving, but I still need to be able to check what’s in it. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Mistaking a pyramid tea bag for hot chocolate
The Eléphant product listed by Auchan is an infusion to be made with water. A cup prepared according to its instructions contains less than 4 kcal and less than 0.5 g of sugars, so it doesn’t serve the same purpose as chocolate that you melt in milk.
If you’re looking for a chocolate drink, check the product description and preparation method rather than judging by the shape of the tea bag alone.
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Choosing based on the Nutri-Score alone
In France, displaying the Nutri-Score is optional, according to the Ministry of the Economy. If it appears on the packaging, it doesn’t replace checking the nutrition information or the serving size you consume.
Also check the sugars, ingredients and liquid used to prepare the drink.
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Comparing powders without accounting for milk or water
The Leonidas pyramid melts in hot milk, while the Eléphant infusion is made with water. The Banania product information we checked also describes a drink made with semi-skimmed milk.
Compare the nutrition information for the drink as you actually plan to prepare it.
Brands to consider by format
Leonidas
The chocolate pyramid featured by Leonidas Boutique is designed to melt in hot milk.
- A good choice if you want hot chocolate rather than an infusion.
- Requires hot milk; check the collection options for the product you choose.
Eléphant
The Pyramid® product, flavoured with cocoa, biscuit and caramelised almond, is an infusion in tea bags.
- Made with water, as specified in the Auchan product information.
- Don’t mistake it for hot chocolate to be melted.
Nesquik
Chocolate powders and sticks offer a different kind of packaging from pyramid formats.
- The stick product featured by Carrefour contains individual 13,5 g portions.
- Check the sugars and allergens on the label for the exact product you choose.
Banania
The product we reviewed is a chocolate powder to be made with milk.
- The Auchan product information specifies the quantities used to prepare a drink.
- This powder pouch isn’t a pyramid tea bag; the recipe we reviewed includes wheat and barley.
Poulain
The powder range includes a Grand arôme product, listed as containing 32 % cocoa in the Auchan section we checked.
- Offers a useful point of comparison for a drink made from powder.
- For nutrition information and allergens, check the details for the exact product.
Auchan
The own-brand products we checked include unsweetened cocoa and chocolate powders.
- With unsweetened cocoa, you can choose how much sugar to add when preparing your drink.
- This doesn’t apply to every powder in the range, and it isn’t a pyramid tea bag.
Powders and sticks available on Joybuy
These products are for making a cocoa drink from powder or individual portions. To choose between them, consider the packaging and check each product’s recipe; none of the products shown here is a chocolate pyramid or a pyramid tea bag for infusing.
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Nesquik Original chocolate powder, 300 g
Make a chocolate drink and measure out the amount of powder yourself. The 300 g pack is neither an individual stick nor a pyramid tea bag; check the serving size and sugars listed on the packaging.
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DAMTUH Pokémon hot chocolate, 10 sachets of 20 g
Take separate portions with you instead of measuring them out from a large pack of powder. These aren’t pyramid tea bags for infusing; check the ingredients list and the nutrition information for the drink as prepared.
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AGF Blendy Stick Cocoa au lait, 6 sticks, 66 g
Choose a cocoa drink in individual sticks rather than a large pack of powder. This isn’t a pyramid tea bag; check the ingredients and preparation instructions before choosing it.
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NESTLÉ NESQUIK instant cocoa powder, 800 g
Prepare several drinks from one pack of powder, measuring out each serving as you go. This 800 g pack isn’t portioned into sticks or pyramid tea bags; compare the sugars using a clearly stated nutrition basis.
Frequently asked questions
Does a cocoa pyramid tea bag always make hot chocolate?
No. The Eléphant product featured by Auchan is a herbal infusion to be made with water, while the Leonidas pyramid is melted in hot milk. Check the product description and preparation instructions before buying.
Is the Nutri-Score compulsory on these products in France?
No, the Nutri-Score is optional in France, according to the Ministry of the Economy. The DGCCRF states that nutrition declarations for the relevant foods are given per 100 g or 100 ml; some categories are exempt. Also check the serving you actually prepare.
Which allergens should I check in a powder or stick?
Check the ingredients list for the exact product. The chocolate sticks featured by Carrefour list soya lecithin; the Banania powder featured by Auchan includes wheat and barley. Check the label on the product you buy, as recipes can change.
Can hot chocolate provide enough fuel for a marathon?
No. Choosing a chocolate drink or an infusion doesn’t tell you what you need to consume for a long-distance event. The Regional Institute of Biology and Sports Medicine highlights the importance of energy intake for marathon runners; choosing a drink should be considered separately from your race nutrition plan.
How should I store an infusion or powder after opening?
Follow the instructions on each pack. The product information we checked for the Eléphant infusion and Banania powder recommends storing them in a dry place at room temperature; reseal the packaging and check the best-before date.