For sharing chocolate with guests
You want to put a box on the table for guests to choose from with their coffee or tea. Individually wrapped pieces make the chocolates easier to hand out; just check that the box you choose is packaged this way.
Who are these boxes of chocolates for?
For giving a small chocolate gift
You’re looking for an attractive box as a thank-you or a gift to take when visiting. The shape and size matter, but also consider whether the contents suit the recipient and the occasion.
For anyone with allergies to consider
You’re buying for someone who needs to avoid ingredients such as milk, nuts, soya or gluten. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the specific variant.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the chocolate is mainly for sharing or giving as a gift. If an allergy is a concern, the label on the box you choose should guide your decision, regardless of its presentation.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing and choice of flavours | Check the number of pieces, the flavours and whether the chocolates are individually wrapped. | When several guests are joining me, I want everyone to be able to choose a flavour easily. Around 40% of consumers are said to prioritise ease of sharing when buying. |
| Gift presentation | Compare the shape of the box with its weight and, where stated, the number of pieces. | For a small thank-you gift, I’m looking for a box I can give as it is, with contents that suit the occasion. Gift presentation is said to be the main consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and warnings on the current packaging. | If I’m buying chocolate for someone with an allergy, I need to be able to check whether that exact variant is suitable. Allergen checks are said to be the first consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when buying boxes of chocolates
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Judging by the front of the box alone
The Merci, Lindt and Ferrero boxes described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo Supermarkten have different ingredients and allergens. Ingredients can also vary between products in the same range.
If an allergy is a concern, read the label on the box you’ve chosen before buying. Words such as ‘dark’ or ‘assorted’ are no substitute for checking.
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Comparing the weight alone
The weight doesn’t tell you how many individual pieces you can serve. For example, Albert Heijn lists 32 individually wrapped bars in a Merci gift box, while the Ferrero Rocher box described contains 16 chocolates.
As well as the weight, check the number of pieces and think about how many people you want to serve from the box.
Brands to compare
The features listed apply to the boxes described and not automatically to every product from that brand. Always check the specific variant when buying.
Merci
Assorted boxes for sharing chocolate with coffee or giving as a gift.
- Albert Heijn and Jumbo Supermarkten describe Merci boxes containing 32 and 20 individually wrapped bars respectively.
- The assorted boxes described contain ingredients including milk, nuts and soya; also check for warnings about the possible presence of other allergens.
Lindt LINDOR
Chocolates in a gift-ready box; Albert Heijn describes a 200 g heart-shaped box of assorted chocolates.
- The heart-shaped box described contains chocolates made with milk, dark and white chocolate.
- According to Albert Heijn, this variant contains ingredients including milk, soya and cereals containing gluten, and may contain nuts. The heart-shaped box doesn’t mean it’s suitable for someone with an allergy.
Ferrero Rocher
A gift box of chocolates for anyone specifically looking for hazelnut, wafer and milk chocolate.
- The 200 g box described by Albert Heijn contains 16 chocolates, making the number of portions clear.
- The product specification lists ingredients including hazelnut, milk, soya and wheat. Read the label before choosing this box for guests with an allergy.
Jumbo
A supermarket range where you can compare own-brand chocolates with products from other brands.
- Jumbo Supermarkten’s category includes chocolates and pralines in a variety of packs.
- A range overview doesn’t tell you which ingredients and allergens are in each individual box; check the product label for that information.
Chocolate to enjoy with coffee on Joybuy
This selection includes pralines, chocolate bars and truffles for a coffee break or a small gift. Check how each box is designed to be served: an assorted selection or gift pack doesn’t in itself confirm that every piece is individually wrapped.
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Lindt Creation Petits Desserts Ball 173 g
A box of pralines to put on the table for coffee.
Contents: 173 g. Check the number of pieces and whether each praline is individually wrapped if guests need to be able to help themselves; if anyone has an allergy, read the current label.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack 288 g
A chocolate gift for anyone who’d rather offer bars than individual chocolates.
Contents: 288 g. Check how the bars are wrapped if you’d like to hand them out individually, and read the label if anyone has an allergy.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection 125 g
A small selection of chocolates for a coffee-time thank-you.
Contents: 125 g. Check the number of pieces if the recipient wants to share the box with others; if anyone has an allergy, read the packaging.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack 143 g
An assortment of chocolates for a relaxed coffee break.
Contents: 143 g. Check the number of portions and how the pack is arranged if everyone needs to be able to choose a piece; if anyone has an allergy, read the label.
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Lindt LINDOR assorted chocolate truffles 200 g
An assortment of truffles for anyone who likes to choose from different flavours with their coffee.
Contents: 200 g. The Joybuy product description lists milk chocolate, pistachio, double chocolate and 70% dark chocolate. This isn’t the same variant as the heart-shaped Lindt box; check the chosen pack for the number of pieces and any allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Which box of chocolates is handy for sharing with coffee?
A box that states how many individually wrapped pieces it contains is handy when guests want to choose for themselves. Albert Heijn and Jumbo Supermarkten describe Merci boxes with 32 and 20 such bars respectively; before serving, also check the allergens in the box you’ve chosen.
When should I check the allergens in a box of chocolates?
Check the label on the exact variant if you or your guests have an allergy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens in prepacked foods must appear in the ingredients list on the label; also look out for warnings about possible presence.
Is the allergen information on a product page enough?
Use it to help you decide, but if anyone has an allergy, also read the packaging you actually receive. Albert Heijn warns that product ingredients and allergen information can change.
Does dark chocolate mean a box of chocolates is free from milk or nuts?
No. The term ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you all the ingredients in a box of chocolates. For example, the assorted Lindt heart-shaped box described by Albert Heijn contains milk and may contain nuts; always check the full allergen information for the specific variant.