Who is this choice relevant to?

Hosts choosing between chocolate and biscuits

You’re looking for something festive for your Boxing Day buffet and want to decide whether a box of chocolates as a gift or Kano biscuits to serve would suit your plans better.

Hosts planning a coffee or dessert buffet

You want to serve biscuits filled with almond paste and are paying attention to the pack, storage instructions and information on the label.

Hosts with guests who have food allergies

You need allergen information for the exact treat you’re buying before you put it out on the buffet.

What should you consider when choosing?

First, decide whether you’re looking for a chocolate gift or biscuits to serve with coffee. If you want to serve Kano biscuits, then consider the quantity, storage and allergen information.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Type of product Check whether the pack contains chocolates or other chocolate treats, or Kano biscuits, which are filled biscuits. If I want to give chocolate as a gift, I don’t want to accidentally buy biscuits filled with almond paste. This choice of product comes first for around 44% of consumers.
Serving and storage For Kano biscuits, check the quantity and storage instructions, including what to do after opening. For coffee or dessert, I want to put out enough biscuits and store the rest according to the pack instructions. Around 33% of consumers give this priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re buying. If a guest has a food allergy, I want to know what’s in this exact treat before serving it. For around 23% of consumers, checking this is their main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking Kano biscuits for a box of chocolates

    Albert Heijn categorises Kano biscuits as filled biscuits; PLUS and Lidl describe their versions as biscuits filled with almond paste. They’re not the same as a box of chocolates.

    First decide which treat you want to give or serve, then compare packs within that product category.

  • Relying only on online allergen information

    Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and allergen information online may change. If someone has a food allergy, the information on the pack you buy is therefore important.

    Before serving, check the allergen information on the exact pack you’ve bought.

  • Assuming a product listing guarantees availability in December

    A product listing doesn’t tell you whether the Kano biscuits you want will be in stock when you shop for Boxing Day.

    Check the range at your chosen shop shortly before you do your shopping.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn stocks products including AH BASIC Kano's and AH Roomboter kano's, both categorised as filled biscuits.

  • For AH Roomboter kano's, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dry place and keeping them in a sealed tin after opening.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you buy; Albert Heijn warns that online information may change.

PLUS

PLUS describes its Roomboter kano's as biscuits filled with almond paste and topped with almonds.

  • PLUS lists this version in a 275 g pack.
  • These are biscuits to serve on the buffet, not a chocolate box to give as a gift.

Aviateur

PLUS lists Aviateur Kano's as individually packaged biscuits.

  • The pack listed by PLUS contains 230 g; storage advice is to keep it in a cool, dry place.
  • Check the label on the pack you buy for ingredients and allergen information.

Sondey

Lidl describes Sondey Kano's as butter biscuits filled with almond paste.

  • Lidl lists a 325 g pack.
  • Check your shop’s range when you want to buy biscuits for the buffet.

Related products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are Kano biscuits the same as a box of chocolates?

No. Albert Heijn categorises Kano biscuits as filled biscuits; PLUS and Lidl describe their versions as biscuits filled with almond paste. Choose a chocolate box if you specifically want to give chocolate as a gift, and Kano biscuits if you want to serve this type of biscuit.

Where can I check allergens before putting something on the buffet?

Read the allergen information on the pack of the product you’re actually serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains allergen labelling on prepacked foods; Albert Heijn warns that online product information may change.

How should I store Kano biscuits before the buffet?

Follow the storage advice on the pack you’ve bought. For AH Roomboter kano's, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dry place and keeping them in a sealed tin after opening.