If chocolate is what you’re after
If you’d rather have chocolate sprinkles than aniseed sprinkles for movie night, switching to chocolate flakes could be a good option. They’re a different type of product, though.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fans of classic aniseed sprinkles
You’re looking for sugar-coated aniseed seeds to top rusks, bread or baked treats. The aniseed flavour and shape matter more to you than a chocolate taste.
If you check ingredients carefully
You want to assess the exact variety by reading its label. The ingredients and stated allergens vary between the aniseed sprinkles and chocolate flakes reviewed.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you really want aniseed sprinkles or simply chocolate sprinkles. Then compare the shape and label of the specific variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate or aniseed sprinkles | Read the product name: aniseed sprinkles, chocolate flakes and chocolate vermicelli are different types of topping. Jumbo states that De Ruijter Royaal Chocolate Flakes 240 g contains at least 40% cocoa solids; this does not apply to aniseed sprinkles. | I mainly want a chocolate topping for my movie-night snacks, even if that means I’m not buying aniseed sprinkles. For around 45% of consumers, this preference for cocoa matters most. |
| Aniseed flavour and shape | Check whether you’re choosing whole or crushed aniseed sprinkles, and read the ingredients for that variety. | I specifically want the familiar aniseed flavour and shape of these sprinkles as a topping. That classic experience comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Compare the ingredients and highlighted allergens on the current packaging of your chosen variety. | If certain ingredients aren’t suitable for me, the label takes priority over my preference for aniseed or chocolate. Around 22% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means a variety of aniseed sprinkles
The traditional aniseed sprinkles in the categories reviewed are different from the dark chocolate flakes being considered as a chocolate alternative.
Decide which type of product you want before you buy. Choose chocolate flakes only if you’re happy to forgo the aniseed-sprinkle shape.
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Relying on the brand name for allergen information
The chocolate flakes, Feestmuisjes and crushed aniseed sprinkles reviewed don’t list the same ingredients and allergens.
Read the packaging for the exact variety you’re buying, even if you’ve used another De Ruijter topping before.
Brands and retailers to consider
De Ruijter
The product ranges reviewed include both traditional aniseed sprinkles and chocolate flakes.
- Jumbo lists products including De Ruijter Feestmuisjes and crushed aniseed sprinkles. For De Ruijter Royaal Chocolate Flakes 240 g, Jumbo states that they contain at least 40% cocoa solids.
- These chocolate flakes aren’t aniseed sprinkles. Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn provides separate online product information for aniseed sprinkles and De Ruijter Royaal extra dark chocolate flakes.
- The aniseed-sprinkle category includes products such as Feestmuisjes, crushed aniseed sprinkles and pink-and-white aniseed sprinkles.
- Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging, as product information such as ingredients and allergens can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo provides online information about traditional aniseed sprinkles and De Ruijter Royaal Chocolate Flakes.
- The product information for De Ruijter Royaal Chocolate Flakes 240 g states that they contain at least 40% cocoa solids.
- The range shown online doesn’t indicate which varieties are available in a particular shop.
Chocolate sprinkles for movie night
These chocolate toppings are worth considering if you’d like something other than aniseed sprinkles for movie night. If you want a specific cocoa content, check the percentage for your chosen variety on the packaging.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks 390 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for a chocolate topping instead of aniseed sprinkles.
This isn’t an aniseed-sprinkle product. The name says chunks, while the product description also mentions vermicelli; check the shape on the packaging if it matters for your snacks. Also check the current label for allergens.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure 390 g
Worth considering if you’d rather use chocolate vermicelli than aniseed sprinkles as a topping.
The word ‘Pure’ doesn’t, by itself, tell you the exact cocoa percentage for this variety. Check the percentage and allergens on the packaging if they’ll affect your choice.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
Worth considering if you want a mix of flakes as a topping instead of traditional aniseed sprinkles.
If you want dark chocolate only, check what this mix contains. Don’t treat the cocoa percentage for the chocolate flakes as the percentage for the whole product; also read the allergens on the current label.
Frequently asked questions
Are dark chocolate flakes the same as dark aniseed sprinkles?
No. Chocolate flakes are a different type of topping from aniseed sprinkles. Jumbo states that De Ruijter Royaal Chocolate Flakes 240 g contains at least 40% cocoa solids; choose them only if you’re deliberately looking for a different type of product.
How should I store the sprinkles after movie night?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for your chosen variety and seal the pack properly after use. The storage advice for the chocolate flakes reviewed is to keep them in a cool, dry place.
Can I assume all aniseed sprinkles and chocolate flakes contain the same allergens?
No. Check the ingredients and allergens for each individual variety. The De Ruijter Royaal Chocolate Flakes reviewed list soya and may contain milk; the crushed aniseed sprinkles reviewed list milk, wheat and cereals containing gluten.