If you’re after a rich dark chocolate flavour while watching TV, choose dark chocolate sprinkles rather than traditional aniseed sprinkles: the De Ruijter sprinkles examined here are sugared aniseed. Look for a stated cocoa percentage on chocolate sprinkles, but compare the nutritional information and allergens on the exact packaging too. According to Jumbo, De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids. The word ‘dark’ alone doesn’t tell you how much cocoa another variety contains.
If cocoa matters more to you than aniseed, look for dark chocolate sprinkles with a stated cocoa percentage. Jumbo says De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids. Check the sugars and allergens too: a higher cocoa percentage doesn’t mean a product is sugar-free.
If you’re after that crunchy aniseed flavour, perhaps on rusks or as a decoration, aniseed sprinkles are a different option from chocolate sprinkles. The ingredients list for De Ruijter Muisjes Blauwe & Witte on Jumbo’s website includes sugar and aniseed.
If you have allergies or want to compare nutritional values, the information on the exact packaging matters. The dark chocolate products examined here contain milk and soya; the De Ruijter sprinkles examined here contain wheat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the labels of prepacked foods.
A good fit for: a night in front of the telly when you’re mainly after aniseed flavour, for example sprinkled on rusks.
The trade-off: the De Ruijter sprinkles examined here contain no cocoa, so they’re not the right choice if you want dark chocolate.
A good fit for: a preference for chocolate, especially if you want to take the stated cocoa content into account.
The trade-off: ‘dark’ on its own doesn’t tell you the exact cocoa percentage. Check the nutritional information and allergens on the label too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa flavour | For dark chocolate sprinkles, look for the stated percentage of cocoa solids. Don’t rely on ‘dark’ or ‘intense’ alone. | For my TV snack, I want a clear cocoa flavour rather than aniseed, and I want to compare varieties using a specific figure. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this preference for cocoa. |
| Texture and how you’ll use them | Check whether you’re choosing sprinkles, larger pieces, flakes or aniseed sprinkles, and whether the size suits how you want to eat them. | When I put something out to enjoy in front of the telly, texture is what matters to me: do I want fine sprinkles or larger pieces? Around 29% of consumers prioritise this preference for texture and how they’ll use the product. |
| Pack size | Compare the pack size with how much you expect to use, and check the best-before date. | I only eat this now and then, so I don’t want to choose a pack that will be sitting around for ages. For around 21% of consumers, choosing a suitable pack size matters most. |
| Aniseed or chocolate | Read the product name and ingredients list: the aniseed sprinkles examined here contain aniseed, while chocolate sprinkles contain cocoa. | For me, this is a moment for the familiar aniseed flavour of traditional sprinkles, not chocolate. Around 14% of consumers prioritise aniseed sprinkles. |
If you’re looking for chocolate, the De Ruijter Muisjes Blauwe & Witte examined here are an aniseed product: the ingredients list shown by Jumbo doesn’t include cocoa.
Before buying, check that the product name and ingredients match the flavour you want: aniseed for traditional sprinkles, cocoa for chocolate sprinkles.
Albert Heijn lists 64 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Chocoladehagel Puur. So the word ‘dark’ is no substitute for checking the nutrition table.
Compare the stated cocoa solids and sugar content of the products you’re considering. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing nutritional information per 100 g.
The dark chocolate products examined here contain milk and soya; the De Ruijter sprinkles examined here contain wheat. Using a smaller amount doesn’t change which ingredients are in the product.
Read the allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging of the variety you’re buying.
This brand offers both traditional aniseed sprinkles and dark chocolate sprinkles, including Specials Intens Puur.
An option to compare if you’re looking at dark chocolate sprinkles and different piece sizes.
The own-brand range is worth considering if you’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles in a larger pack.
The brand listed by ALDI offers dark chocolate sprinkles and an XXL sprinkles range.
These dark chocolate sprinkles are an option if you’d rather have chocolate than aniseed sprinkles while watching TV. If you’re specifically looking for a high cocoa content, check the percentage on the packaging of this variety.
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An option if you’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles rather than aniseed sprinkles.
Pack size: 390 g. Check the cocoa percentage and allergens on the label if they’re important to your choice.
No. The De Ruijter Muisjes Blauwe & Witte examined here aren’t a chocolate variety. Jumbo lists sugar, aniseed and wheat starch in the ingredients, but no cocoa. If cocoa is your priority, look for dark chocolate sprinkles.
Compare the stated minimum percentage of cocoa solids for the exact varieties. Jumbo says De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52%; Joybuy’s product listing says Venz dark chocolate sprinkles contain at least 32%. The word ‘dark’ alone doesn’t give you an exact percentage.
Check the allergen information on the pack you’re actually buying. The De Ruijter sprinkles examined here contain wheat, while the dark chocolate products examined here contain milk and soya. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the labels of prepacked foods.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen. The product information examined here says to store De Ruijter sprinkles in a dry place and dark chocolate sprinkles in a cool, dry place. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a white coating on chocolate is fat coming to the surface.
