Hosts who want to serve without cutting anything up
Individually wrapped portions are easy to put alongside the crêpes. Carrefour, for example, describes a Côte d’Or pack of 14 mini nougat chocolate bars.
Who are these formats for?
Fans of honey and almond nougat
If a traditional recipe matters more than individual portions, soft or hard nougat served in pieces is a better match. The INAO describes Nougat de Montélimar PGI as a confection made with honey, egg whites and almonds.
People checking ingredients for their guests
Depending on the product, you’ll need to check for nuts, milk, soya, eggs and any ‘may contain’ warnings. The ingredient lists published by Carrefour and E.Leclerc vary from product to product.
What should you look for?
First decide how you’ll serve the nougat during the evening, then compare the recipe and information on the product you choose.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and serving | Number of pieces and how they’re packed; a nougat chocolate bar isn’t necessarily traditional nougat. | When I’m already busy making crêpes, I want to put out treats that everyone can help themselves to, without having to cut anything up. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this individually portioned format. |
| Ingredients | Ingredients, allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings; nutritional information per 100 g. Nutri-Score can also help you compare products if it’s displayed. | Before serving a confectionery treat to my guests, I need to know what’s in it and be able to compare the labels. This is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Recipe and origin | Whether it contains honey and almonds, whether it’s soft or hard and, if origin matters, whether it’s labelled ‘Nougat de Montélimar PGI’. | I’d rather serve honey and almond nougat, even if it needs to be shared out in pieces. For around 25% of consumers, the recipe and texture matter more than the format. |
Common mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a mini chocolate bar is traditional nougat
Both may have ‘nougat’ in the name, but the Côte d’Or mini bar described by Carrefour is coated in milk chocolate. The INAO, on the other hand, describes Nougat de Montélimar PGI as a confection made with honey, egg whites and almonds.
First decide whether you want a chocolate-coated portion or nougat to share, then check the product name and ingredients list.
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Making Nutri-Score a must-have
Santé publique France explains that displaying Nutri-Score is voluntary. Its absence doesn’t, on its own, mean that a nougat product fails to meet labelling rules.
If it appears on the product, use it as an additional guide, not as a substitute for checking the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
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Assuming ‘mini’ tells you what’s in it
A smaller portion makes serving easier, but its size says nothing about its ingredients or allergens. Carrefour’s product information for Côte d’Or mini bars lists hazelnuts, milk and soya, as well as possible traces of other allergens.
Keep the packaging for the product you’re serving handy so everyone can check the information for themselves.
Brands to know when making your choice
Côte d’Or
An option for mini nougat chocolate bars, served individually.
- For the product listed, Carrefour describes a 180 g pack containing 14 mini bars.
- This product contains hazelnuts, milk and soya; it’s not a substitute for plain traditional nougat.
SUPREM’NOUGAT
A soft nougat in a bag to consider if you’d rather serve pieces than chocolate bars.
- The 200 g product described by Carrefour contains almonds, honey and egg whites, among other ingredients.
- The pack doesn’t confirm that the nougat is individually portioned, so plan how you’d like to serve it.
Nos Régions ont du Talent
A Nougat de Montélimar PGI product for anyone who prioritises this designation and a honey and almond recipe.
- For its 200 g pack, E.Leclerc lists 30% almonds, 19% honey and a Nutri-Score of E.
- The PGI label doesn’t guarantee mini portions or a particular nutritional profile.
Nougat chocolate bars on Joybuy
These nougat chocolate bars are worth considering as an accompaniment to crêpes. If you’re looking at the 30 g Côte d’Or bar, check the pack size if you specifically want several mini portions.
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MARS Minis milk chocolate, caramel and nougat, 333 g
A bag of Minis to consider if you’d like to offer nougat chocolate bars alongside your crêpes. For your guests, check the packaging for information about milk, soya, egg and possible traces of peanuts or nuts.
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Côte d’Or nougat and hazelnut chocolate bar, 30 g
The 30 g bar gives you a set amount to serve, but that doesn’t mean it comes in a pack of mini bars. Check that the pack is what you’re looking for, and look for milk and hazelnut information before serving it to your guests.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nutri-Score compulsory on nougat sold in France?
No. Santé publique France says producers display Nutri-Score voluntarily, alongside the compulsory nutritional information. Even if it’s not shown, check the product’s ingredients and nutritional information.
Does a mini bar necessarily have a different nutritional profile?
Its small size mainly means it’s an easy portion to serve; it doesn’t tell you what’s in it. To compare products, read the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g, then consider how much you plan to serve.
Which allergens should you check before serving nougat?
Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the product you’ve bought. Carrefour lists hazelnuts, milk and soya in its Côte d’Or mini bars, while the traditional nougat recipes consulted contain almonds and egg whites, among other ingredients.
What does ‘Nougat de Montélimar PGI’ mean?
This name refers to the protected geographical indication recognised for Nougat de Montélimar. The INAO describes it as a confection made with honey, egg whites and almonds; the PGI label alone doesn’t tell you whether the product is sold in mini portions.