Choose a box of chocolates or pralines if you want something you can serve or give as a gift without any preparation. Choose aniseed sprinkles if you want to make your own chocolate treat: Jumbo and Albert Heijn list them as a sweet bread topping, not as a ready-made box of chocolates. If you’re buying a chocolate gift, check the packaging for ingredients, allergens, the best-before date and storage advice.
A box of chocolates, pralines or a chocolate gift is ideal for an afternoon snack or a present when you don’t want to prepare anything. Albert Heijn lists chocolates and pralines as separate product categories.
Aniseed sprinkles work well as a topping when you’re putting together your own chocolate snack. For example, Jumbo’s recipe uses sponge fingers dipped in melted chocolate and then sprinkled with aniseed sprinkles.
If the recipient has a known food allergy, or you’re buying a box in advance, check the ingredients, allergens, best-before date and storage instructions on the exact product packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on labels.
First decide whether you’re looking for a ready-to-serve box of chocolates or ingredients for a homemade treat. Jumbo and Albert Heijn list aniseed sprinkles under sweet bread toppings, while Albert Heijn has a separate category for chocolates and pralines.
| What to consider | What to check | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to serve or give as a gift | Check whether you’re choosing a box of chocolates, pralines or a chocolate gift, and how many pieces or grams the pack contains. | If I’m having people over or giving something as a gift, I want to be able to serve the treat without any preparation; convenience comes first for around 40% of consumers. |
| Making your own treat with aniseed sprinkles | Check what chocolate and base you’ll need in addition to the aniseed sprinkles; Jumbo uses sponge fingers in its recipe. | I want to put together my own chocolate treat and use aniseed sprinkles as a topping; making it yourself is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and storage | Read the ingredients, allergen information, best-before date and storage instructions on the exact product packaging. | When I’m buying something for someone else, I want to check that the ingredients are suitable and find out how to store the box; this is the main concern for around 40% of consumers. |
Jumbo and Albert Heijn list aniseed sprinkles under sweet bread toppings. In Jumbo’s recipe, they’re used to finish a chocolate snack, not as a substitute for chocolates.
If you don’t want to prepare anything, look for chocolates, pralines or a chocolate gift. Choose aniseed sprinkles if you’re planning to make your own treat.
For this homemade option, you’ll also need a base and chocolate, as well as time to prepare the snack.
The Merci Gift Box described by Albert Heijn contains milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, among other ingredients, and may also contain other listed allergens. A selection of flavours doesn’t mean it’s suitable for someone with a food allergy.
If someone has a known allergy, first ask which ingredients they need to avoid, then check the allergen information on the current packaging of the exact box.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. For a sealed box of chocolates, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises following the storage advice and best-before date on the packaging.
Check the packaging again when you receive the box and before serving or giving the chocolates as a gift.
Worth considering if you’re looking for aniseed sprinkles as a sweet bread topping or to finish a homemade treat.
A shop worth exploring for ready-made chocolate treats, including chocolates and pralines.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a chocolate gift with individually wrapped pieces.
No, aniseed sprinkles and chocolates are different types of product. Jumbo and Albert Heijn list aniseed sprinkles under sweet bread toppings, while Albert Heijn has a separate category for chocolates and pralines. You can use aniseed sprinkles as a topping for a homemade chocolate snack.
Follow the storage advice and best-before date on the packaging. This is also the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice for chocolates in sealed packaging, for example if you’re buying them in advance as a gift.
Check the allergen information on the label of the exact product packaging. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly and correctly listed on the labels of prepacked foods. If someone has a known allergy, don’t rely on a product photo or flavour name alone.
Use online information to help you choose a box, but check the packaging before giving or serving it. Albert Heijn warns that product information for the Merci Gift Box, including ingredient and allergen information, may change.
