Organisers prioritising cocoa
You’re looking for a chocolate topping with a verifiable cocoa content for adult guests, and you don’t mind swapping the aniseed sprinkles for chocolate sprinkles.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Organisers who want to keep the festive look
You want to use familiar aniseed sprinkles as a topping, prioritising their aniseed flavour and traditional appearance over chocolate.
Festival serving planners
You’re serving treats to a range of visitors and want to know which allergens are in your chosen sprinkles before serving them.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you need traditional aniseed sprinkles or whether chocolate sprinkles will do. Then compare the exact product variant by cocoa content, allergens and pack size.
Traditional aniseed sprinkles
Choose these: when the familiar shape and aniseed flavour matter more than cocoa.
The trade-off: De Ruijter’s pink-and-white sprinkles are sugar-coated aniseed, not a dark chocolate topping.
Dark chocolate sprinkles
Choose these: when you want a chocolate topping and are happy to do without the traditional aniseed-sprinkle shape.
The trade-off: Chocolate sprinkles don’t have the same aniseed flavour or appearance, and cocoa content varies by product.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa content | For dark chocolate sprinkles, check the stated minimum cocoa solids on the exact pack. | If cocoa is the main reason for choosing something other than aniseed sprinkles, I want a specific figure to compare. This is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Aniseed sprinkles and aniseed | Check whether you want sugar-coated aniseed or whether another topping will do. | For my festive treat, I want to keep the familiar shape and aniseed flavour. This matters most to around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the allergen information for every product variant you choose, and have it available when serving. | If I’m serving a range of visitors, I need to be able to tell them which allergens the topping contains. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Quantity | Work out how many portions you need and compare the net contents of the packs. | For several treats, I want to buy enough sprinkles without relying on pack size alone. Around 14% of consumers prioritise the quantity they need. |
Common mistakes
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Using ‘dark aniseed sprinkles’ as another name for dark chocolate sprinkles
According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter’s pink-and-white sprinkles are sugar-coated aniseed. Dark chocolate sprinkles are a different type of product, even if you use both as toppings.
Before you start looking, decide whether you need the aniseed-sprinkle shape and flavour. If not, search specifically for dark chocolate sprinkles and check the exact product variant.
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Assuming ‘dark’ means allergen-free
According to the product information, De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains milk and soya. Wheat and cereals containing gluten are relevant for the pink-and-white sprinkles reviewed.
For both types of product, read the allergen information on the pack you’ll actually be serving, and make sure visitors can check it.
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Assuming an online product listing means the item is available
If your festival is on a set date, a product listing alone isn’t enough to plan your purchasing and serving.
Before buying, check current availability and delivery options with your chosen retailer, and decide which alternative product type would work.
Brands to consider
A brand name alone won’t tell you whether a product is aniseed sprinkles or chocolate sprinkles. Check the name and information for the specific product in its range.
De Ruijter
The range includes traditional aniseed sprinkles and separate dark chocolate sprinkle varieties. For Specials Intens Puur, Albert Heijn states a minimum of 52% cocoa solids.
- You can choose between aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles within the same brand.
- The pink-and-white sprinkles aren’t a chocolate product; milk and soya are listed for Intens Puur.
Kiekeboe
ALDI describes Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur as dark chocolate sprinkles in a 600 g pack.
- The stated pack size is useful when you’re working out quantities for several portions.
- Don’t assume it has the same minimum cocoa content as De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur; check the information on the pack you choose.
AH
Alongside aniseed sprinkles, Albert Heijn offers dark chocolate sprinkle products, including AH Hagelslag Puur.
- The product categories make it easier to browse aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles separately.
- Compare the ingredients, allergens and cocoa content in the information for each individual product variant.
Sprinkles at Joybuy
These chocolate sprinkles are for anyone happy to do without the traditional aniseed-sprinkle shape: there are two dark varieties and one milk chocolate variety. If you specifically want aniseed sprinkles, don’t treat these chocolate products as an equivalent topping.
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De Ruijter Intens Puur dark chocolate sprinkles 200 g
A chocolate topping for anyone looking to replace traditional aniseed sprinkles and who values a stated minimum cocoa content.
The pack contains 200 g; Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids. These are chocolate sprinkles, not aniseed sprinkles. Check the allergen information on the current packaging; milk and soya are listed for this product variant.
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Venz milk chocolate sprinkles 400 g
A chocolate topping for when you don’t need traditional aniseed sprinkles or dark chocolate.
The pack contains 400 g. These are milk chocolate sprinkles, not dark chocolate or aniseed sprinkles; check the allergen information on the pack before serving.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
A dark chocolate topping for anyone looking for a 390 g pack who doesn’t need the aniseed flavour of traditional sprinkles.
These are chocolate sprinkles, not aniseed sprinkles. If a specific minimum cocoa content is important, check the pack you choose. Joybuy’s product information lists milk and soya as allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Are dark aniseed sprinkles the same as dark chocolate sprinkles?
No. Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter’s pink-and-white sprinkles as sugar-coated aniseed; De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur is a chocolate sprinkle product. Choose based on the type of product you want to serve, not just its colour or flavour.
Which allergens should I check in these toppings?
Wheat and cereals containing gluten are relevant for the pink-and-white sprinkles reviewed; milk and soya are listed for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur. Always check the allergen information on the exact pack you’ll be using at the festival.
Do I need to provide allergen information for unpackaged festival treats?
Yes. If you’re a food business serving food to consumers, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says you must inform customers about any allergens present. Make sure you can refer to the information for every topping you use when serving.
How should I store aniseed and chocolate sprinkles before the festival?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. The product information for the aniseed sprinkles reviewed says to store them in a dry place; for De Ruijter Intens Puur, it says to store in a cool, dry place. Check the packaging before serving the product, too.