Organisers of a baby or breakfast party
You’re looking for something to sprinkle over rusks, bread or yoghurt, and want the colour or presentation to suit the occasion.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Gift shoppers
You mainly want to give something sweet that the recipient can share. A box of chocolates is a better fit than sprinkles for breakfast.
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
You compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the specific variant before choosing.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a sweet breakfast topping or a gift. Then choose the right type and check the information on the specific packaging.
| Point to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Topping or gift | Choose aniseed sprinkles to scatter over rusks, bread or yoghurt; choose a box of chocolates if you want to give chocolates as a gift. | If I want to finish off breakfast, I’m looking for a topping to sprinkle; for a small present, I want a gift instead. For around 50% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
| Occasion and texture | Compare the colour variant with the occasion, and choose crushed aniseed sprinkles if you’d prefer a finer texture to sprinkle. | For a birth celebration or party, I want the presentation to suit the occasion. The occasion and texture matter most to around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and storage | Read the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions for the variant you choose; compare nutritional information per 100 g or per serving if it’s relevant to your choice. | If I’m buying for someone else, I want to know exactly what’s in this pack and how to store it. These product details matter most to around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a box of chocolates as a breakfast topping
Individual chocolates are used differently from aniseed sprinkles, which are made for rusks, bread or yoghurt.
Before you buy, decide whether you want something to sprinkle or a gift to give.
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Looking only at the colour or gift packaging
The De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles reviewed contain wheat and gluten. The chocolate gifts reviewed include products with milk, nuts and soya; warnings vary by product.
Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the variant you choose.
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Storing both products in the same way
Moisture is bad for sprinkles, while heat can affect chocolate.
Store aniseed sprinkles in a dry place, keep chocolate away from heat and follow the storage advice on the packaging.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
The De Ruijter aniseed sprinkle variants reviewed are sweet toppings to scatter over rusks, bread and yoghurt.
- The variants reviewed include coloured, festive and crushed aniseed sprinkles; the crushed version has a finer texture.
- This isn’t a box of individual chocolates for gifting. The variants reviewed contain wheat and gluten.
Merci
The Merci gift box reviewed is an assortment of chocolates to give as a gift or share.
- The gift box described by Albert Heijn contains 32 individually wrapped chocolates.
- This gift box isn’t a breakfast topping to sprinkle. For the variant you choose, check the information for milk, nuts and soya, among other things.
Lindt
The Lindor box reviewed contains assorted chocolates and is intended as a treat or gift.
- The box contains chocolates rather than a topping to sprinkle.
- For the Lindor variant you choose, check the listed allergens and warnings, including those for milk, nuts, soya and cereals containing gluten.
Products for toppings and gifts
These two products serve different purposes: De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles for a sweet breakfast or special occasion, and Merci Petits as a chocolate gift. Choose according to whether you want something to sprinkle or give, rather than treating the products as interchangeable.
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De Ruijter Blue and White Aniseed Sprinkles, 330 g
For anyone who wants to sprinkle aniseed sprinkles over rusks or bread, perhaps for a birth celebration.
Blue and white variant, 330 g. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information if wheat or gluten is relevant to your choice.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
For anyone looking for a chocolate gift rather than a breakfast topping to sprinkle.
Chocolate assortment, 125 g. Check the allergens for this variant and whether the chocolates are individually wrapped if that matters for your gift.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a box of chocolates instead of aniseed sprinkles at breakfast?
Not if you’re looking for a topping to sprinkle over rusks, bread or yoghurt. Aniseed sprinkles are made for sprinkling; a box of chocolates is better suited to chocolates you can give as a gift or share.
Which aniseed sprinkles are suitable for a birth celebration or visiting a new baby?
Blue and white or pink and white aniseed sprinkles tie in with the tradition of serving rusks with sprinkles to celebrate a birth. For a less specific celebration, you could consider festive aniseed sprinkles; choose crushed sprinkles if you’d prefer a finer texture.
Where can I check the allergens in aniseed sprinkles or chocolate?
Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific product variant, and read the packaging before use. The aniseed sprinkles reviewed contain wheat and gluten; the relevant allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings vary by chocolate product.
How should I store aniseed sprinkles and a box of chocolates?
Store aniseed sprinkles in a dry place and keep chocolate away from heat. For both products, follow the storage instructions and best-before information on the packaging you choose.