Buying biscuits: how to choose biscuits to suit your taste and needs

Buying biscuits seems straightforward, but online it is easy to lose sight of the differences between packaging and flavour claims. Are you looking for biscuits to enjoy with coffee and tea, a treat for children or Asian snacks to try something new? A few simple checks can help you avoid disappointing purchases.

Common pitfalls include:

• Mistaking a large pack for better value. A multipack can be convenient, but always compare the total weight and number of portions.
• Giving images more importance than the ingredients list. For example, a product with chocolate on the front may consist mainly of biscuit, sugar and vegetable fats.
• Overlooking portion packs. Individual packaging makes a difference when sharing, taking biscuits to work or school, or storing them after opening.
• Checking allergens only after buying. Biscuits often contain wheat, milk, egg, soya, nuts and sometimes sesame. Check the label before ordering.

What should you look for when ordering biscuits online?

1. Check the ingredients and allergens

Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. If wheat flour appears first, it usually makes up a significant proportion of the product. With chocolate biscuits, it is useful to check how much chocolate, cocoa or chocolate filling is actually listed.

Also check the allergen information. Products in this selection include:

• Wheat and gluten, commonly found in biscuits, wafers and filled biscuits.
• Milk, for example in butter biscuits, milk biscuits and chocolate biscuits.
• Soya, often used as lecithin in chocolate or as an ingredient in vegetable fats.
• Egg and nuts, which are found in certain filled or mixed biscuits.
• Possible traces of peanuts, nuts, oats, barley, rye or sesame.

A statement such as “may contain” is not a minor detail. If you are shopping with an allergy or intolerance, it is best to check the latest packaging. Online product information can change.

2. Compare weight, portions and pack size

A 200-gram pack is not automatically better value than four small bags. Look at the net weight, the number of portions and how you plan to use the biscuits.

Portion packs can be practical for families. Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas, for example, contains eight portion bags in a 200-gram pack. Ulker Halley Mini Biscuits are available as 3 x 77 grams. Larger packs are useful for keeping in the cupboard, while a 36- or 40-gram bag may be ideal for trying a new flavour.

3. Look at the nutritional information, not the marketing language

The nutrition table lists, per 100 grams, information including energy, fat, saturates, carbohydrate, sugars and salt. Use the same unit when comparing different products.

A biscuit with milk, cereals or fruit in its name is still a sweet snack. The product details for belVita Milk & Cereals Biscuits, for example, list 443 kcal, 20 grams of sugars and 6.4 grams of fibre per 100 grams. This makes the label clearer, but it is not a general health claim. Base your choice mainly on flavour, portion size and when you plan to eat the biscuits.

Popular choices for different occasions

From butter biscuits and speculaas biscuits to filled biscuits and international varieties, the right choice depends on your household and how you plan to use them. Below are three profiles featuring products whose key characteristics can be found in the product information.

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Verkade Maria Biscuits - 200 g

Why it suits this profile: A familiar biscuit for coffee and tea, in a convenient 200-gram pack. Ideal if you want to start with a straightforward flavour combination.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product description clearly states the intended occasion and pack size. However, always check the latest allergen information on the label: the product contains wheat and milk and may contain traces of sesame.

Key benefit & highlights

200 grams, a light, crisp texture and nutritional information of 438 kcal per 100 grams.

Suitable for: Shoppers looking for premium quality

Royal Ballet Wonderful Copenhagen Danish Butter Cookies - 150 g

Why it suits this profile: A good choice if you are looking for a butter biscuit with a simple ingredients list to serve to guests with coffee or tea.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The product information states that it contains 26% butter. This means you can base your choice on a verifiable ingredient rather than relying solely on the packaging.

Key benefit & highlights

150 grams, 26% butter and a nutritional value of 452 kcal per 100 grams.

Suitable for: Specific needs & frequent consumers

Belvita Milk & Cereals Biscuits - 300 g

Why it suits this profile: The six packs, each containing four biscuits, are practical for stocking up, taking to work or eating on the go. The different cereals give these biscuits a different profile from classic milk biscuits.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The portioning makes the pack size transparent. The product information also lists allergens such as gluten-containing cereals, milk and soya, plus possible traces of nuts and sesame.

Key benefit & highlights

300 grams, six multipacks of four biscuits and 70.8% cereals according to the product information.

Frequently asked questions about buying biscuits

Which biscuits are suitable for coffee and tea?

Maria biscuits, butter biscuits and assorted biscuits are practical choices for coffee and tea. Consider the texture: a thin biscuit is different to eat from a filled biscuit or a crisp wafer. For guests, an assortment such as g’woon Assorted Cookies can offer more variety. Always check the allergens in assorted biscuits, as they may contain several types of ingredients and nuts.

Where can I find biscuits for children?

Look for small portions, sturdy packaging and a shape that appeals to children. Bestore Magical Jar Biscuits, for example, come in dinosaur shapes and a 196-gram jar. The product information lists wheat, milk and egg as allergens. Hellema Smoeltjes and UFO’s are also individually portioned. A child-friendly appearance says nothing about the nutritional value, so also read the table showing sugars, fat and salt.

How should I store biscuits after opening?

Store biscuits according to the instructions on the packaging: generally in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Seal an opened pack securely to help prevent moisture and loss of quality. An airtight container is especially useful for filled biscuits, chocolate biscuits and Asian snacks. Also check the best-before date on the packaging, particularly when ordering several packs online at once.