Who is this choice relevant to?

Those who prioritise Fairtrade chocolate

You want to serve chocolate with your coffee that is explicitly labelled Fairtrade. Albert Heijn displays this mark on Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur; you can also use aniseed sprinkles as a topping.

Fans of traditional aniseed sprinkles

You’re looking for the aniseed flavour and familiar topping for something like Dutch rusks or cake. Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe the De Ruijter sprinkles reviewed as sugar-coated aniseed seeds with wheat starch, not as a chocolate product.

Those who need to consider allergens

You’re serving something to guests for whom wheat, gluten or milk is relevant. Jumbo lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, and notes that Fairtrade Original Chocoladehagelslag Puur may contain milk.

What should you look for when choosing?

Aniseed sprinkles with separate Fairtrade chocolate

Choose this if: you want to keep the flavour and appearance of aniseed sprinkles and serve Fairtrade chocolate too.

The trade-off: you’ll need two separate products and should check that the chocolate itself explicitly carries the Fairtrade mark.

Fairtrade chocolate sprinkles only

Choose this if: the Fairtrade chocolate element matters more to you than the traditional presentation of aniseed sprinkles.

The trade-off: chocolate sprinkles won’t give you the flavour or appearance of aniseed sprinkles.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Fairtrade mark Check the specific chocolate product for an explicit Fairtrade mark; don’t rely on a general sustainability claim. If I want to serve Fairtrade chocolate by choice, it needs to be clear that the mark applies to my chocolate product. This product-specific Fairtrade choice is a priority for around 50% of consumers.
Aniseed sprinkles as a topping Choose aniseed sprinkles if you want their distinctive flavour and traditional appearance; add them to a chocolate treat before the chocolate sets. For a coffee-time treat, I want to see and taste the familiar sprinkles on it. This presentation is the main priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the labels for every item: the De Ruijter sprinkles reviewed contain wheat; the Fairtrade Original chocolate sprinkles reviewed may contain milk. When I’m serving something to guests, I want to check first which ingredients and allergens may be relevant to them. This check takes priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking aniseed sprinkles for Fairtrade chocolate

    The ingredient lists for the De Ruijter sprinkles reviewed at Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe sugar-coated aniseed seeds and don’t mention cocoa. So, choosing these sprinkles alone doesn’t give you a chocolate element.

    Use aniseed sprinkles as a topping, and check a separate chocolate product for an explicit Fairtrade mark.

  • Confusing the Fairtrade mark with allergen information

    A Fairtrade mark doesn’t tell you which allergens a treat contains. Jumbo lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes; Fairtrade Original Chocoladehagelslag Puur may contain milk.

    Before serving, read the current ingredients and allergen information for every item, including any chocolate base.

  • Adding sprinkles after the chocolate has set

    If you want to use aniseed sprinkles as a chocolate topping, timing matters. In a Jumbo recipe for cream puffs with sprinkles, they’re added to the chocolate before it sets.

    Add the sprinkles while the chocolate coating is still soft.

Brands and retailers to consider

De Ruijter

A good choice for traditional aniseed sprinkles as a topping for Dutch rusks or cake.

  • Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe the varieties reviewed as sugar-coated aniseed seeds.
  • The ingredient lists reviewed don’t mention cocoa; the varieties reviewed list wheat.

Fairtrade Original

A good choice if you want to use chocolate sprinkles as a separate Fairtrade chocolate element.

  • Albert Heijn displays the Fairtrade mark on Hagelslag Puur; Jumbo states that Chocoladehagelslag Puur contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • These are chocolate sprinkles, not aniseed sprinkles. According to Jumbo’s product information, they may contain milk.

Albert Heijn

A retailer with product information for both De Ruijter Blauwe en witte muisjes and Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur.

  • The product information distinguishes sugar-coated aniseed seeds from chocolate sprinkles with a Fairtrade mark.
  • Check the packaging for the ingredients and allergens in the product you actually buy.

Jumbo

A retailer with product information for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes and Fairtrade Original Chocoladehagelslag Puur.

  • The product information lists the ingredients and allergens for both products reviewed.
  • Check the current information on each pack when combining the products.

Lidl

A good option if you’d rather choose a chocolate bar than chocolate sprinkles as a separate chocolate element.

  • Lidl says its Way To Go chocolate bars are made in collaboration with Fairtrade.
  • A chocolate bar won’t replace the flavour and appearance of aniseed sprinkles; check the specific product if you want to serve both.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles Fairtrade chocolate?

No. The De Ruijter sprinkles reviewed aren’t a chocolate product: Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe them as sugar-coated aniseed seeds, and their ingredient lists don’t mention cocoa. Choose them as a topping, and check the Fairtrade mark separately on the chocolate product you want to serve.

How can I combine aniseed sprinkles with Fairtrade chocolate for coffee?

Use aniseed sprinkles as a topping on a treat with a separate Fairtrade chocolate element of your choice. In its recipe for cream puffs, Jumbo says to sprinkle them over the chocolate before it sets; check the chocolate product itself for the Fairtrade mark.

Which allergens should I check when combining these products?

Check the current labels for the sprinkles, chocolate and any other items. Jumbo lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes, and notes that Fairtrade Original Chocoladehagelslag Puur may contain milk.

Is a general sustainability claim enough to choose Fairtrade chocolate?

If you specifically want Fairtrade chocolate, it’s best to check for an explicit Fairtrade mark on the chocolate product itself. Albert Heijn displays one on Fairtrade Original Hagelslag Puur; also read the label for any ingredients and allergens relevant to your treat.