Looking for a gift or a treat to share over tea? Choose a box of chocolates or pralines rather than chocolate flakes. Flakes are intended as a sweet spread or topping; when comparing boxes of chocolates, focus on how easy they are to share, the fillings and the label on the pack you’re buying.
A box of individually wrapped chocolates in different flavours makes it easier for guests to choose. Check how many pieces are in the specific pack: Jumbo lists 20 individually wrapped chocolates in its 250 g merci Assorted Chocolate Box.
Choose the contents and type of chocolate to suit the occasion. A small box of chocolates works well as a thoughtful gesture, while a larger box of pralines may be more suitable when visiting a group of guests. Fillings and ingredients vary by product.
Check the exact pack for allergens, possible traces and whether the filling contains alcohol. Don’t rely on the brand name alone or on a box you’ve bought before.
First decide whether the box is mainly for sharing or for giving as a gift. Then consider the type of chocolate and read the label before you buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Easy to share | Check the number of pieces, whether they’re individually wrapped and which flavours are available. | When I serve tea to guests, I want to be able to share the chocolates and give them a choice. Around 31% of consumers put ease of sharing first. |
| Gift and size | Compare the net weight and choose a pack that suits the recipient or the group. | For a thank-you gift, I’m looking for a box that suits the gesture, rather than simply choosing a large pack. For around 31% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
| Flavour and filling | Check which types of chocolate and fillings are actually in the box you’ve chosen. | If the recipient prefers filled pralines or a variety of chocolate flavours, I want to be able to choose accordingly. Flavour and filling come first for around 23% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Check the exact pack for allergens, possible traces and any alcohol information. | If ingredients matter to my guests or the recipient, I want to read the label before choosing a box. This is the top priority for around 15% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn categorises chocolate flakes as sweet spreads and toppings. They serve a different purpose from chocolates or pralines that you can offer from a box.
For a gift or treat, look for chocolates and pralines. Choose flakes when you need a spread or topping.
A box of assorted chocolates may contain ingredients that aren’t suitable for every guest. The 250 g merci Assorted Chocolate Box described by Jumbo contains milk, nuts and soya, among other ingredients, and warns that it may contain traces of other allergens.
Read the allergen information and warnings on the box you’re actually buying.
Net weight doesn’t tell you how many individual portions you can serve or what filling the box contains. Storage instructions can also vary by product.
As well as the contents, compare the number of pieces, fillings and storage instructions with your plans for tea.
PLUS lists an alcohol content of 0.3% for its 350 g Bel'Chic Belgian Luxury Cream Pralines. This doesn’t tell you anything about other boxes of pralines.
If it matters to the recipient, check the alcohol information on the label when choosing filled chocolate.
The 250 g Assorted Chocolate Box described by Jumbo is a selection for anyone wanting to offer a variety of chocolates.
The 350 g box described by PLUS contains Belgian cream pralines with a soft filling.
The 75 g Lindt Cornet Red, as described by Albert Heijn, is a small pack of filled milk chocolate pralines.
This selection includes assorted chocolates and filled pralines for a gift or a tea-time treat. Compare the contents of the specific pack; if you’re sharing, don’t assume the portions are individually wrapped without checking the box.
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An assortment of chocolates for anyone wanting to offer a variety of flavours with tea. The product name lists 143 g; check the pack to see how many pieces you can serve, and read the allergen label before serving.
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A small chocolate collection to take as a thank-you gift or offer with tea. The pack is listed as 125 g; check the label for the number of chocolates, whether they’re individually wrapped and allergen information.
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An assortment of Lindor chocolates to give as a gift or offer to guests. The product name lists 200 g; check the number of pieces and the label if you’re keeping portions or ingredients in mind.
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Filled pralines for anyone looking for a small chocolate gift. The product name specifies a milk cream filling and a weight of 110 g; check the pack for the ingredients and number of pralines.
Not if you want to give a box as a gift or serve chocolates. Albert Heijn categorises flakes as sweet spreads and toppings, so choose them when you’re looking for a spread or topping.
Read the ingredients and any warnings about traces on the exact pack. The products discussed here list milk, nuts or soya, among other ingredients, but the contents vary from box to box. The Voedingscentrum advises that allergens must be listed on the label.
Yes, it depends on the product. PLUS lists 0.3% alcohol for its 350 g Bel'Chic Belgian Luxury Cream Pralines; check the ingredients on any other box.
Follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the pack. The Voedingscentrum recommends checking this information on the label; for its 350 g Bel'Chic Cream Pralines, PLUS specifically advises storing them in a cool, dry place at 14–18 °C.
