What are the best cocoa powders and how to choose them, according to the OCU

Cocoa powder is one of the most common alternatives for breakfast and snacks, especially those of the smallest of the house. But, how to know if the product we consume is healthy? And which are the best?

The Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has drawn up an attempt to help citizens choose the best cocoa powder and provide them with information on the characteristics of the products they buy in supermarkets.

What types of cocoa powder are there?

-Pure cocoa powder (100%) is usually the most expensive, but the most recommended from a quality/price point of view. They have a healthier profile because they hardly have any additives, added sugars and contain more natural fiber.

-Soluble cocoa powders are the most common, but their average proportion of cocoa is lower (33%) and they have too many added sugars, with Nutriscore scores ranging from A to D.

-Instant cocoa powders have the most kilocalories (377 per 100 grams), an average cocoa content of 24%, a large proportion of sugar and have no A in Nutriscore.

-The cup cocoa powders have an average cocoa of 29%, more fibers and sweeteners instead of sugars, which makes the Nutriscore scores somewhat better.

-Children’s cocoa powders are among the least healthy, with a general suspense in Nutriscore and high energy intake (375 kilocalories per 100 grams). Its percentage of cocoa is around 23%

What should a good cocoa have?

The OCU in the composition of these products, which is approximately 65%, and their low score (D) in the Nutriscore system, in addition to the fact that in some cases it does not appear clearly on the labels.

For this reason, it recommends the consumption of pure cocoa, 100%, and also cocoa with at least 50% cocoa and ratings A or B in Nutriscore, since sugar is usually replaced in these cases by sweeteners and the rest of the composition is formed flours and food fibers.

What are the best cocoas?

-The best cocoa according to the OCU is the Auchan prepared from Alcampo brand cocoa.

-The second best is Valorcao a la Taza with 0% added sugars from Valor.

-The third is Mercadona’s Caobon 0% soluble cocoa.

After this ‘top 3’, the following cacaos remain:

-The Avenacao of ColaCao.

-The Noir of ColaCao.

-ColaCao 0% added sugars with fiber.

-The ColaCao 0% added sugars.

-The Auchan Bio 100% from Alcampo.

-The Vital Cacao 100% soluble of Dia.

-The Pure ColaCao.