For organic hot chocolate as an evening snack, choose a pre-sweetened powder if you want to keep things simple, or unsweetened organic cocoa if you’d rather decide what to add to your mug. Either way, check that the specific product is certified organic and compare the sugars per 100 g: the word ‘organic’ alone tells you nothing about its sugar content. Nutri-Score can help you make a comparison if it is displayed, but its use is optional.
If certification matters to you, check the organic details on the packaging and the ingredients list for the specific product, rather than relying on its name alone. The Ministry of Agriculture notes that organic farming is governed by European regulations.
If you want to make a late-night hot chocolate and choose what goes into it, compare the ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g. Unsweetened organic cocoa is suited to a different purpose from a chocolate powder that already contains sugar.
Pre-sweetened organic chocolate powder saves you from choosing cocoa and a sweetener separately. Still, check the ingredients: a simple preparation doesn’t tell you how much sugar the powder contains.
To choose between chocolate powder and unsweetened cocoa, first identify the organic product you’re interested in, then compare the sugar content and consider how you want to prepare your drink in the evening.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certification | Look for organic certification details and check the ingredients on the packaging for the product you’ve chosen. | I want to be able to identify whether the powder I’m making in the evening is organic, without relying on its name alone. Around 40% of shoppers would make this their priority. |
| Controlling sugar | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figures per 100 g, then consider how much powder you use and what you add to your mug. | If I want to choose my own sweetener for hot chocolate, the difference between pre-sweetened powder and unsweetened cocoa matters more than ease of preparation. This would be the main priority for around 40% of shoppers. |
| Ease of preparation | Read the ingredients list and preparation instructions to see whether the recipe is already sweetened. | In the evening, I’d rather mix a ready-made powder than measure out several ingredients, and I’m happy to accept the sugar it contains. Around 20% of shoppers would prioritise this convenience. |
Organic production does not determine a product’s sugar content. Auchan lists 66 g of sugars per 100 g for Poulain Poudre Bio; Carrefour lists 68 g of added sugars per 100 g for its organic chocolate powder.
Compare the nutrition information per 100 g for the products you’re interested in. If you want to choose what to add, also look at unsweetened organic cocoa.
Nutri-Score is optional in France, according to the ministry responsible for the economy. The nutrition declaration on pre-packed foods generally lets you check the sugars per 100 g, as the DGCCRF explains.
If a Nutri-Score is displayed, also read the nutrition information, ingredients list and allergen statements.
Ingredients and precautionary ‘may contain’ statements vary between products. Auchan’s product information for Poulain Poudre Bio mentions possible traces of milk, soya and nuts, while Germacao Bio contains several cereals and soya, according to Carrefour.
Check the ingredients and precautionary statements for the exact product, even when switching to another product from the same brand.
Poulain describes its Poudre Bio as a preparation containing 34% cocoa and organic ingredients.
The organic chocolate powder described by Carrefour combines 68% organic cane sugar with 32% organic, heavily defatted cocoa.
E.Leclerc lists two separate products: organic cocoa powder containing 32% cocoa, and organic low-fat cocoa made from cocoa powder.
Germacao Bio is a preparation made with ingredients including cocoa, brown sugar, cereals, carob and vanilla.
Carrefour lists Van Houten organic cocoa powder in a 125 g tin.
No, displaying it is optional in France, according to the ministry responsible for the economy. When comparing pre-packed powders, also check their nutrition declarations: the DGCCRF says these are generally compulsory and given per 100 g or 100 ml.
No: ‘organic’ doesn’t mean ‘low in sugar’. Auchan’s product information for Poulain Poudre Bio lists 66 g of sugars per 100 g, while E.Leclerc’s information for Bio Village organic low-fat cocoa lists 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. If you choose cocoa, remember to take into account what you add to your mug, too.
Follow the instructions on the packaging and reseal it after use. For Poulain Poudre Bio, Auchan’s product information says to store it away from heat and moisture.
Check the ingredients and precautionary statements for the specific product: you can’t tell what it contains from its organic status. Auchan mentions possible traces of milk, soya and nuts in Poulain Poudre Bio; Carrefour lists soya as well as barley, oats, rye and wheat in Germacao Bio.