If you’re looking for a rich chocolate flavour
You want a topping for a shared holiday treat and, by ‘dark’, you mainly mean a pronounced chocolate flavour. It’s important not to confuse aniseed sprinkles with dark chocolate sprinkles.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you love traditional aniseed sprinkles
You’re looking for a crunchy, festive topping for things like crispbread, bread, yoghurt or a party treat. The familiar flavour of aniseed sprinkles matters more to you than chocolate.
If you’re a parent sharing a snack with a group
You want to serve something festive, but also need to consider portion size, the allergens listed on the current packaging and any rules at the school, after-school club or venue.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want the flavour and look of aniseed sprinkles or a chocolate topping instead. Then check that the packaging you choose is suitable for the people you’re sharing the snack with.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Rich chocolate flavour | Check whether the exact packaging describes the chocolate sprinkles or chocolate flakes as dark, intensely dark or extra dark. | If I mainly want to taste chocolate, I don’t want to accidentally pick up aniseed sprinkles. This flavour preference would be the main reason for choosing for around 30% of consumers. |
| Traditional aniseed sprinkles | Choose the festive, coloured or crushed variety you want based on its appearance and shape. | For a festive topping, I want the familiar aniseed sprinkles, even if they don’t taste of dark chocolate. This experience of eating aniseed sprinkles would come first for around 30% of consumers. |
| A snack to share with children | Check the allergens and nutritional information on the packaging, compare sugars per 100 g if needed, and ask about any rules or allergies in the group. | When I’m preparing something for several children, I want to consider what they’re allowed and able to eat. Suitability for the group would be the main concern for around 40% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means a variety of aniseed sprinkles
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list traditional varieties in their aniseed sprinkle categories; Albert Heijn lists dark chocolate sprinkles and extra dark chocolate flakes as different product types. Searching only for ‘dark aniseed sprinkles’ could therefore bring up a different flavour from the one you have in mind.
Search for the product type that matches your preference and check the description on the packaging.
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Assuming ‘dark’ means it’s suitable as a snack for children
‘Dark’ describes the type of chocolate, not the nutritional value of the whole snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables as snacks for children aged 4 to 12.
Check the nutritional information and decide how much topping to use, rather than relying on the flavour name alone.
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Relying on outdated allergen information
Albert Heijn lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for De Ruijter Blue and White Aniseed Sprinkles. This doesn’t tell you which allergens are in another variety.
Check the label on the exact packaging shortly before serving, and ask about allergies and local rules in advance if you’re sharing the snack.
A relevant brand to compare
De Ruijter
Albert Heijn and Jumbo list De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles; Albert Heijn also lists dark chocolate sprinkles and extra dark chocolate flakes from the same brand. This lets you compare different product types from one brand without treating them as varieties of the same product.
- You can compare traditional aniseed sprinkles with chocolate toppings labelled as dark.
- The aniseed sprinkles listed don’t confirm that dark chocolate aniseed sprinkles are available. Check the product type and label on the exact packaging.
Chocolate toppings at Joybuy
These chocolate toppings are for anyone looking for chocolate flavour rather than traditional aniseed sprinkles for a school holiday snack. Not every topping in this selection is labelled ‘dark’, so check the exact product name and packaging.
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De Ruijter Intense Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
An option if the intensely dark description suits your preference for a chocolate topping. These aren’t traditional aniseed sprinkles; if you’re serving them to a group, check the allergens on the packaging before use.
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g'woon Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 400 g
A dark chocolate topping for anyone who prefers chocolate to the aniseed flavour of traditional sprinkles. If the ingredients and nutritional information matter for the snack you’re sharing, compare the details on the packaging.
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De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 390 g
An option if you’re looking for a dark chocolate topping rather than aniseed sprinkles. If you’re choosing based mainly on cocoa content, check the figure on the exact packaging; if you’re serving a group, check the allergens too.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks 390 g
A chocolate topping worth considering if you like the product’s shape. If you’re specifically looking for dark or intensely dark chocolate, don’t rely on the name alone: check the description and ingredients on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Are ‘dark aniseed sprinkles’ the same as dark chocolate sprinkles?
No, they’re different product types. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list traditional varieties in their aniseed sprinkle categories; for a rich chocolate flavour, look specifically for dark chocolate sprinkles or chocolate flakes.
Where can I check allergens if I’m sharing the topping with a group?
Read the label on the exact pack you’re going to serve. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information for prepacked products must be shown on the label; for example, Albert Heijn lists wheat and cereals containing gluten for De Ruijter Blue and White Aniseed Sprinkles. Check other products individually.
Does choosing dark chocolate sprinkles make them suitable as an everyday snack for children?
No, the flavour name alone doesn’t tell you whether the whole snack is suitable. Check the nutritional information and the portion you use. For children aged 4 to 12, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends fruit and vegetables as snacks.