Fans of dark chocolate
You want to know whether a biscuit contains dark chocolate pieces, a chocolate coating or a combination of milk and dark chocolate. A stated percentage can help, as long as you check which ingredient it refers to.
Who is this useful for?
Shoppers stocking up on biscuits for the week
You compare pack sizes and check whether you can enjoy the biscuits across several snack breaks by following the storage instructions after opening.
Shoppers for whom allergens are a priority
Before buying, you check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. ‘Dark chocolate’ in a product name doesn’t mean the whole biscuit is free from ingredients such as milk, wheat or soya.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for dark chocolate pieces, a biscuit with chocolate or a mix that includes milk chocolate. Then use the label and pack information to compare products within that category.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Type of chocolate | Check whether it’s dark chocolate pieces, a dark chocolate coating or a mix with milk chocolate. See what any stated percentage refers to. | If I’m looking for a pronounced dark chocolate flavour, I don’t want to rely on the front of the pack alone. This flavour preference comes first for around 42% of consumers. |
| Pack size for the week | Compare the net weight, any portion information and the storage instructions for after opening. | If I’m planning several snack breaks, I want a pack that I can store appropriately once opened. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
| Allergens | Check the allergens highlighted in the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the current pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, checking the label comes before choosing a flavour. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ describes the whole biscuit
The word may refer only to the chocolate pieces or coating. Jumbo states that its Chocolate Cookies contain 40% dark chocolate pieces; Albert Heijn lists 12% dark and 12% milk chocolate pieces in its Verkade Chocolate Chip milk & dark variant.
Read the full product description and ingredients list to see which part of the biscuit the chocolate description refers to.
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Guessing the allergens from the chocolate flavour
A biscuit with dark chocolate may also contain other ingredients or carry a warning about the possible presence of allergens.
When you buy, check both the ingredients list and the ‘may contain’ warning on the packaging.
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Choosing a large pack without checking how to store it
The pack size doesn’t tell you how to store biscuits once the pack has been opened. This matters when you’re stocking up for the week and plan to dip into the pack on several occasions.
Compare the pack size with how much you’ll use, and follow the storage instructions for your chosen product after opening.
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Assuming a listed product will always be available
A biscuit you find online may not be available in the same way the next time you shop.
Check current availability when planning your shop, especially if you’re looking for a particular variety.
Brands compared
These product ranges show different ways of combining chocolate and biscuits. A brand name alone won’t tell you which variety suits your taste or label requirements.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers, among other products, a chocolate chip cookie with dark chocolate pieces and a digestive with dark chocolate.
- According to Jumbo’s product description, its Chocolate Cookies with Dark Chocolate Pieces contain 40% dark chocolate pieces; the pack contains 225 g.
- That percentage describes the chocolate pieces, not the cocoa content of the whole biscuit. Check the current pack for allergen information.
Verkade
Verkade Chocolate Chip milk & dark combines two types of chocolate pieces in one cookie.
- Albert Heijn lists 12% dark and 12% milk chocolate pieces for this variety.
- As it contains milk chocolate, this isn’t a biscuit with dark chocolate pieces only. Check the allergens on the packaging too.
Sondey
Lidl lists Sondey Dark Chocolate Digestives for anyone looking for a biscuit with chocolate.
- The product name makes clear that this is a digestive with dark chocolate, not a chocolate chip cookie.
- Don’t infer the cocoa content of the chocolate or the composition of the whole biscuit from the words ‘dark chocolate’; check the label on the pack you choose.
Biscotto
ALDI describes Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits as butter biscuits with different types of chocolate.
- According to ALDI, the pack contains 20 biscuits weighing 250 g in total, individually wrapped in pairs.
- The biscuits combine dark, white and milk chocolate, so they’re not the choice if you want dark chocolate only.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Biscoff is an alternative if you’re mainly looking for a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour.
- Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour.
- This description doesn’t make Biscoff a dark chocolate biscuit; it’s not the right choice if you’re looking for a rich chocolate flavour.
Biscuits on Joybuy
This selection includes a digestive with dark chocolate, biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour and a mini biscuit with chocolate and matcha. Compare the product types and pack sizes; a dark flavour description isn’t the same as a stated cocoa percentage.
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McVitie's Dark Chocolate Digestives, 266 g
A digestive for anyone who would rather have a biscuit with dark chocolate than a chocolate chip cookie.
The pack contains 266 g. Check the label if the cocoa content of the chocolate or allergens are important to your choice.
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Franzzi Premium Dark Chocolate Flavour Biscuits, 70 g
A smaller pack for anyone looking for biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour.
The pack contains 70 g. Use the ingredients list to check the chocolate content and allergens; the flavour description doesn’t state a cocoa percentage.
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Franzzi Mellow Dark Chocolate Flavour Biscuits, 115 g
An option for anyone looking for biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour in a 115 g pack.
Compare the ingredients and nutrition information on the label if the amount of chocolate, sugar or allergens will influence your choice.
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Bourbon Alfort Mini Chocolate Dark Matcha, 12 pieces, 60 g
A mini biscuit for anyone looking for matcha alongside dark chocolate; it isn’t a standard cookie with dark chocolate pieces only.
The pack contains 12 pieces and weighs 60 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark chocolate’ mean the whole biscuit contains a lot of cocoa?
No. A percentage may refer to the chocolate pieces or chocolate component, not the cocoa content of the whole biscuit. For example, Jumbo states that its biscuits contain 40% dark chocolate pieces, while Albert Heijn lists 12% dark and 12% milk chocolate pieces for Verkade Chocolate Chip milk & dark.
What should I check on the label when choosing biscuits for the week?
Check the ingredients, allergens, net weight, nutrition information and date marking. The storage instructions help you work out how to store the pack once opened; Business.gov.nl lists these label details as relevant information for pre-packed food in the Netherlands.
How should I store an opened pack of biscuits?
Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. Jumbo advises sealing its Chocolate Cookies well after opening and using the remaining biscuits within a few days; instructions may vary from product to product.
Can I rely on online product information alone for allergen details?
Check the label on the pack you’re buying too. Albert Heijn points out that ingredient and allergen information may change when a product is updated.