Anyone looking for a rich chocolate flavour
You’re looking for chocolate sprinkles for bread, yoghurt or porridge, for example, and don’t want to buy aniseed balls when cocoa is what matters most to you.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers looking for a small top-up
You want a pack that suits what you’ll use soon, without stocking up on more than you need.
Lovers of traditional aniseed balls
You’re looking for sugar-coated aniseed for crispbread or a festive decoration, not the taste of chocolate sprinkles.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want aniseed balls or chocolate sprinkles. Then compare the pack sizes and check the label again if you switch products.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who does this matter most to? |
|---|---|---|
| Aniseed or cocoa | Read the product name and, for chocolate sprinkles, compare the stated percentage of cocoa solids. | If I want dark chocolate, I don’t want to accidentally pick up aniseed balls. For around 50% of consumers, this flavour preference is the deciding factor. |
| Pack size | Compare the net weight: the Intens Puur pack discussed here contains 200 g, while the Royaal extra puur pack contains 390 g. | For a small top-up, I want to choose an amount I’ll actually use. For around 30% of consumers, pack size is the main consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients on the current packaging, as well as both the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements. | When I switch from aniseed balls to chocolate sprinkles, I want to check the ingredients and allergens in the new product. For around 20% of consumers, this check comes first. |
For De Ruijter Specials Hagelslag Intens Puur (200 g), Albert Heijn states at least 52% cocoa solids; for De Ruijter Royaal chocoladehagel extra puur (390 g), it states at least 43%. These figures apply to these two varieties. The word ‘dark’ alone won’t tell you what percentage is in another pack.
Common mistakes
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Reading ‘dark aniseed balls’ as dark chocolate aniseed balls
Joybuy describes De Ruijter Pink Muisjes as sugar-coated aniseed. The products discussed with a stated cocoa content are chocolate sprinkles, not aniseed balls.
First decide which of these two product types you want, then compare the varieties within that category.
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Going by the word ‘dark’ alone
Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids, while Royaal extra puur contains at least 43%. The names don’t clearly indicate this difference.
If the percentage matters to your choice, check the stated cocoa content on the packaging.
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Guessing allergens from the name or colour
The dark chocolate sprinkle varieties discussed list milk and soya; wheat is relevant to De Ruijter Pink Muisjes. You can’t tell these differences from the word ‘dark’ or the colour.
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety every time you buy it.
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Assuming a higher cocoa content tells you everything about nutrition
The Voedingscentrum points out that chocolate sprinkles also contain sugar and saturated fat. The cocoa percentage doesn’t give you the full nutritional picture.
If you wish, compare the nutrition information per 100 g and bear in mind how much you’ll use.
Brands and retailers to consider
De Ruijter
The De Ruijter products discussed include both traditional aniseed balls and dark chocolate sprinkles. Compare each variety individually.
- Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Specials Hagelslag Intens Puur (200 g) contains at least 52% cocoa solids, while Royaal extra puur (390 g) contains at least 43%.
- The dark chocolate sprinkle varieties discussed list milk and soya; the Pink Muisjes discussed contain wheat. One label doesn’t apply to the whole brand.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s product information makes it easier to compare aniseed balls and chocolate sprinkles as separate categories.
- The product pages state the cocoa content and pack size for the dark chocolate sprinkle varieties discussed.
- Also check the current packaging of the variety you buy for ingredients and allergen information.
Jumbo
Jumbo provides product information for the De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur (200 g) discussed here.
- Jumbo states that these chocolate sprinkles contain at least 52% cocoa solids.
- This product information is about chocolate sprinkles and doesn’t describe a dark variety of traditional aniseed balls.
Aniseed balls and dark chocolate sprinkles at Joybuy
These products illustrate both options: chocolate sprinkles if you’re looking for a rich chocolate flavour, and traditional aniseed balls if you prefer aniseed. For chocolate sprinkles, consider the pack size and check the cocoa content of your chosen variety on the label.
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De Ruijter Intens Puur chocolate sprinkles 200 g
A 200 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles for anyone looking for a smaller top-up rather than aniseed balls.
If the cocoa content is important to you, check the information on the current packaging. Also read the information about milk, soya and lactose.
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De Ruijter Pink Muisjes 330 g
For anyone looking for traditional sugar-coated aniseed for crispbread or decoration; these are not dark chocolate sprinkles.
The pack contains 330 g. Check the latest wheat allergen information on the label.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
A 390 g pack for anyone who uses dark chocolate sprinkles more often and isn’t looking for traditional aniseed balls.
If a specific percentage matters to you, check the cocoa content on the packaging. Also read the latest information about milk solids, soya and lactose.
Frequently asked questions
Are aniseed balls and dark chocolate sprinkles the same thing?
No. Joybuy describes De Ruijter Pink Muisjes as sugar-coated aniseed, while the dark De Ruijter varieties discussed are chocolate sprinkles. Choose according to the flavour and type of product you’re looking for.
Which of the chocolate sprinkle varieties discussed has the highest cocoa content?
Of the two varieties for which Albert Heijn states a percentage, De Ruijter Specials Hagelslag Intens Puur has the highest stated minimum: 52% cocoa solids, compared with 43% for Royaal extra puur. This compares just one feature of these two varieties, not their overall flavour.
Which allergens should I check in these products?
Read the label on the pack you choose: the dark chocolate sprinkle varieties discussed list milk and soya, while wheat is relevant to the Pink Muisjes discussed. Also check any ‘may contain’ statements rather than relying on the product name.
How should I store aniseed balls or chocolate sprinkles after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you buy. The product information discussed recommends storing it in a cool, dry place and sealing the pack properly after use; also check the best-before date.
Does ‘dark’ tell you enough about the nutritional value of chocolate sprinkles?
No. ‘Dark’ doesn’t replace the nutrition information: the Voedingscentrum points out that sugar and saturated fat also matter in chocolate sprinkles. For a comparison, check the values per 100 g and bear your portion size in mind.