Buying chocolate and biscuits: how to make informed choices from international snacks

Buying chocolate and biscuits online seems simple until you have to choose between milk chocolate, dark chocolate, chocolate biscuits, chocolate wafers and imported snacks from Japan, Korea or Turkey. Packaging catches the eye, but it does not always tell you exactly what you are getting.

The most common disappointing purchases stem from three pitfalls:

• A bulk pack that does not suit how you use it: a box with individually wrapped portions is convenient for taking with you, but less suitable if you are looking for one product to enjoy at home.
• Confusing a flavour name with the ingredients: “chocolate”, “cookies & cream” or “pistachio” does not automatically tell you how much cocoa, nuts or filling the product contains.
• Overlooking allergens and storage advice: imported snacks may contain milk, soya, gluten, egg, peanuts or other nuts. Always check the label on the packaging you receive.

What to look for when buying chocolate and biscuits?

1. Check the ingredients and allergens

Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight. If sugar appears first, it makes up a significant proportion of the product. For dark chocolate, the percentage of cocoa solids is a useful point of comparison. For example, AE Chocodate Dark Chocolate states that the chocolate contains at least 85% cocoa solids.

When buying chocolate biscuits and chocolate wafers, pay particular attention to:

• wheat and other cereals containing gluten;
• milk, milk powder and whey;
• soya, often present as soya lecithin;
• almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios and peanuts;
• egg and possible traces caused by shared production lines.

If you are specifically looking for halal chocolate, it is worth checking that halal certification is explicitly stated for the product. AE Chocodate lists halal certification for its milk chocolate variant. Do not rely solely on the product name or country of origin.

2. Compare portions and packaging

For a family, office or birthday, a multipack is often more practical than one large chocolate bar. Individual wrappers make sharing and carrying easier, but can sometimes mean more packaging material.

Compact portions are useful for snacks on the go. Glico Pocky Cookies Almond comes in a 46.2-gram pack with two portions. The Hero B’Tween bars are individually wrapped and supplied in a pack of six. Do check that the portion size suits how you intend to use the product and your budget.

3. Check the best-before date and storage instructions

Chocolate, biscuits and wafers retain their texture best when stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. High temperatures can cause a white bloom to appear on chocolate. KitKat Gold states that this can occur after melting and setting again due to oil separation; this may affect the texture or flavour.

Before eating, check:

1. the best-before date on the packaging;
2. whether the packaging is intact;
3. the manufacturer’s storage instructions;
4. the ingredients on the packaging actually supplied.

For imported snacks, the online product information may differ from the label. The packaging should therefore be treated as the practical reference.

Which snack suits the way you use it?

Suitable for: Budget-conscious beginners

Glico Pocky Almond Cookies 2P 46.2g/pack

Why it suits this profile: This Japanese snack comes in a compact pack with two portions. That makes it easy to compare and share without buying a large supply straight away.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The portioning prevents an opened bag from being left around for too long. Do check the allergens present: wheat, milk and soya are listed.

Key benefit & advantages

46.2 grams per pack, two portions and a format suitable for school, work or travelling.

Suitable for: Shoppers seeking premium quality

AE Chocodate Dark Chocolate 90g

Why it suits this profile: The combination of dates, almonds and chocolate containing 85% cocoa solids offers a distinctive flavour profile for dark chocolate lovers.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The cocoa percentage is clearly stated, making it easier to assess the term dark chocolate. However, the product contains milk, soya and almonds.

Key benefit & advantages

90 grams, 85% cocoa solids, dates and almonds; according to the product information, it is also suitable for vegetarians.

Suitable for: Specific needs & regular users

Hero B'Tween Zero Muesli Bar with Milk Chocolate - 6 pcs

Why it suits this profile: The six individually wrapped muesli bars are practical for work, studying, car journeys or keeping in your bag while out and about.

How this product avoids the pitfall

The packaging makes portions easy to manage. “No added sugars” does not mean sugar-free here: the bar contains sweeteners and naturally occurring sugars. According to the product information, excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.

Key benefit & advantages

Six individually wrapped bars containing milk chocolate, cereals and peanuts. The product information states that each bar contains 68 kcal.

More variety for sharing or giving as a gift

For a mixed order, you can combine milk chocolate with chocolate biscuits and international flavours. Kahve Dunyasi Gofrik Pistachio Paste Milk Chocolate consists of crunchy biscuits with pistachio cream and pistachio pieces; the product information also states that it is halal. For fans of Korean snacks, Orion Choco Pie is a soft combination of cocoa, dairy and wheat.

If you would like to give Japanese snacks as a gift, consider KitKat Gold with salted caramel flavour, Nestlé KitKat Strawberry Short Cake or Glico Pocky Strawberry. For Turkish snacks, Solen Biscolata Mood and Gofrik are logical categories to compare. Check the allergens and best-before date for each product again.

Frequently asked questions about chocolate and biscuits

Which chocolate is suitable for sharing?

Choose a multipack, individually wrapped chocolate bars or portion packs such as Pocky, KitKat or Chocodate. This makes it easier to divide the amount, while the rest stays sealed for longer.

What should I look out for with imported snacks?

Check the Dutch product information, ingredients, allergens, net quantity and best-before date on the packaging. Also pay attention to storage instructions and possible traces of peanuts, nuts, egg, soya or sesame.

Are muesli bars with no added sugars sugar-free?

No. “No added sugars” means that no extra sugar has been added to the recipe. The product may still contain naturally occurring sugars or sweeteners. Therefore, check the full nutrition table and ingredients list.