Which jar is right for you?

If you’re serving a small portion at the table

A compact glass jar keeps the crushed aniseed sprinkles on display without taking up too much room on the Sinterklaas table. Just bear in mind that you may need to top it up.

If guests will help themselves from one jar

For a shared serving jar, the most important things are an easy-to-reach opening and a lid that closes securely after serving.

If you’ll reuse the jar later

As well as the capacity, check the lid, care instructions and whether the jar is intended for contact with food if you plan to use it for dry food storage later.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide how much you want to serve on Sinterklaas Eve and whether you’ll use the jar for storage afterwards. Then compare the opening, lid and care instructions for the model you’re considering.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Small portion at the table Compare the capacity and jar diameter; check that the opening is wide enough for the spoon you want to use. If I’m only putting out a small portion, I don’t want a jar that dominates the table, and I don’t mind topping it up. For around 36% of consumers, a compact presentation comes first.
Sharing at the table Consider the capacity, height and opening, as well as whether the lid is easy to close after use. When several guests are helping themselves from the same jar, I want everyone to be able to reach in easily. This shared way of serving is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers.
Using it as a storage jar later Compare the capacity with the space available in your cupboard and check the closure mechanism. I want to use the jar for dry ingredients after the celebrations too, so I’m happy to choose a larger size. Around 21% of consumers give reusability the highest priority.
Food contact and care Check that the jar is intended for contact with food and follow the cleaning instructions for the jar and seal. As the sprinkles will be in direct contact with the jar, I want to be sure it’s suitable and know how to clean it. For around 14% of consumers, this is the most important factor when choosing.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming 270 g means a particular jar capacity

    Albert Heijn and Jumbo list a 270 g pack of De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. That weight doesn’t tell you how much space the contents will take up in a jar, especially if you want to leave room for a spoon.

    Choose a jar based on how much you want to serve at the table or whether you’ll use it for storage, then check its capacity and opening.

  • Assuming a decorative jar is suitable for food

    A decorative appearance doesn’t confirm that a jar is intended for direct contact with crushed aniseed sprinkles. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out requirements for items intended to come into contact with food.

    Choose a jar whose product information says it’s intended for food contact or food storage.

  • Confusing a secure seal with heat resistance

    A storage jar with a lid isn’t automatically resistant to sudden temperature changes. For the KORKEN jar reviewed, IKEA specifies a maximum temperature difference of 50 °C.

    Always follow the instructions for the specific model when cleaning it or using it with warm contents.

  • Throwing away the label after decanting

    When you serve from a glass jar, the information on the original packaging is no longer immediately visible. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list wheat and cereals containing gluten as allergens in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes.

    Check the current label and keep the packaging or a legible ingredients label to hand when guests are helping themselves.

Brands to consider

De Ruijter

The crushed aniseed sprinkles go in the serving jar; they aren’t the jar itself.

  • Albert Heijn and Jumbo list a 270 g pack of De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes and name sugar, aniseed and wheat starch among the ingredients.
  • Both shops list wheat and cereals containing gluten as allergens. Check the current label when you buy, and remember that the pack weight doesn’t determine which jar capacity will be suitable.

IKEA

The KORKEN range offers specific sizes to compare, from a compact serving jar to a larger storage jar.

  • IKEA lists glass KORKEN jars in 0.5 l, 1 l and 1.8 l sizes, and describes the models reviewed as suitable for dry food.
  • According to IKEA, the glass jar is dishwasher-safe, but the rubber seal should be washed by hand. Follow the instructions for your chosen model when it comes to temperature changes.

Le Parfait

The size guide helps you compare jar capacity and shape before choosing a size for the table.

  • Le Parfait’s size guide includes jars of 255 ml, 425 ml, 500 ml, 1 l and 2 l.
  • As well as the stated capacity, compare the shape and opening of the specific model. The number of millilitres alone won’t tell you how easily guests can serve themselves.

Related Joybuy products

Related products will be added soon.

Frequently asked questions

What size jar should I use for crushed aniseed sprinkles at the table?

A jar of around 250–500 ml works for a small portion at the table; around 1 l gives you more room for shared serving. For example, IKEA offers KORKEN jars in 0.5 l and 1 l sizes, while Le Parfait’s size guide also includes smaller options. Think about the portion you want to serve and whether there’s room for a spoon: the 270 g pack of De Ruijter doesn’t, on its own, tell you what jar capacity to choose.

Can I use a decorative glass jar for crushed aniseed sprinkles?

Only use a jar for direct contact with the sprinkles if it’s intended for that purpose. A decorative use alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable, so check the product information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority sets out requirements for items intended for contact with food.

How should I clean a glass storage jar with a seal?

Follow the care instructions for the specific model, and clean the seal separately if instructed to do so. According to IKEA, the glass jar from the KORKEN models reviewed is dishwasher-safe, while the rubber seal should be washed by hand.

What information should I keep when I decant the sprinkles?

Keep the current ingredients and allergen label available, especially if guests will be helping themselves from the jar. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list wheat and cereals containing gluten as allergens in De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes; the product information also says to store the sprinkles in a dry place.