Sipping Chocolate (French Village) — TREAT

Munch or Dump rates Sipping Chocolate (French Village) by Trader Joe's TREAT — score 50/90.

A rich European-style drinking-chocolate powder that is, at heart, sweetened alkalized cocoa — sugar is the first ingredient. The list is short and free of artificial additives, so it lands as a decadent occasional treat rather than junk.

Why this verdict

• Sugar is the first ingredient — a sweet cocoa drink at its core
• Simple four-item list: sugar, alkalized cocoa, natural flavor, salt
• Indulgent dessert beverage, richer than instant cocoa
• No artificial additives, but sugar leads the formula

Ingredients (4)

• Sugar (caution) — One of two added sugars; the product is high in total sugar.
• cocoa processed with alkali (safe) — Dutched cocoa for smooth, deep flavor; alkalizing lowers some flavanols but is otherwise fine.
• Natural flavor (moderate) — Undisclosed flavoring supporting the chocolate note.
• Salt (moderate) — Adds sodium; the only reason to watch portions if you are sodium-sensitive.