Hotel host serving coffee to each guest
Wants to plan the quantity for each room and is looking for a pastry to serve with coffee. A canoe is a good fit for the occasion, provided its ingredients and allergens are suitable for the guests.
Who is each treat for?
Chocolate gift-giver
Is mainly looking for a treat presented as chocolate. A box of chocolates or pralines is a more natural choice than a canoe, which is an almond-paste pastry.
Buyer who needs to check allergens
Needs information from the exact packaging before guests are given a treat. The canoe varieties described list several allergens; it’s also worth checking any warnings about traces.
What should you consider when choosing?
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Type of treat | Choose between an almond-paste pastry and a chocolate gift, and check the product description. | When I leave a treat in a room, I want the guest to receive actual chocolate if that’s what I intend. For around 36% of consumers, the type of product comes first. |
| Portions per room | Check the number of pieces or portions and the net weight of the pack you choose. | When serving coffee, I want to have enough treats ready without assuming that portions from different packs are the same size. Around 29% of consumers give portion planning top priority. |
| Allergen information | Read the label on the exact product, including any warnings that it may contain traces. | I want to offer guests a treat only when I can check its allergen information. For around 21% of consumers, this is the first thing they look for. |
| Availability | Check which variety is available through your intended retailer or ordering method. | When I’m buying for several rooms, I want to know whether I can actually order or collect the treat I’ve chosen. For around 14% of consumers, availability matters most. |
Common mistakes
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Buying canoes when you want to give chocolates
Canoes are almond-paste pastries, so they’re not necessarily a substitute for a chocolate gift.
Before you buy, decide whether the guest will receive a coffee-time snack, a chocolate gift or both.
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Assuming allergens from the product name
The canoe varieties described list different allergens; warnings that a product may contain traces can also vary between packs.
Read the label on the pack you’re actually offering, and make sure guests can check the relevant product information.
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Assuming every pack contains the same number of treats
Albert Heijn lists six 45 g portions in its 270 g pack, while Jumbo lists five portions in its pack of canoes.
Plan for each product based on its stated number of pieces or portions and the number of guests.
Brands and retailers to consider
AH
AH butter canoes are almond-paste pastries. The pack described contains 270 g and lists six 45 g portions.
- Albert Heijn provides ingredient, allergen, nutritional and storage information for this variety.
- These canoes list egg, milk, cereals containing gluten, soya and almonds, among other ingredients; check the warnings on the packaging too.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both butter canoes and a separate chocolate category featuring chocolates, pralines and chocolate gifts.
- The canoe pack described lists five portions, which can help when planning quantities per guest.
- The allergens in the canoe variety don’t tell you anything about those in a separate box of chocolates; check each product individually.
PLUS
PLUS butter canoes are pastries filled with almond paste and decorated with almonds, made for coffee time.
- PLUS provides product, allergen and storage information for this variety.
- Check the packaging for the variety you choose; PLUS advises storing it in a cool, dry place, among other guidance.
Heerlijck Banket
ALDI Nederland describes Heerlijck Banket Canoes, 330 g, as canoe-shaped pastries to serve with coffee.
- The product shape and net weight make it easier to compare coffee-time treats.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging before offering these canoes to guests.
A chocolate treat from Joybuy
If you’re looking for a chocolate treat to serve with coffee, this wafer is an alternative to a canoe or a box of chocolates. Check the packaging to see whether the presentation and product information are right for the occasion.
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Kahve Dunyasi Gofrik Pistachio Paste Milk Chocolate, 10 × 12,5 g
A chocolate treat to consider serving with coffee if you’re not looking for a pastry or an assortment of chocolates.
The product name lists pistachio paste, milk chocolate and 10 × 12,5 g. Before offering it to guests, check the packaging for allergen information, shelf life, storage instructions and presentation.
Frequently asked questions
Are canoes the same as chocolates?
No. The canoes described are almond-paste pastries, while chocolates and pralines are chocolate products. Choose according to what you want to serve your guest: a pastry with coffee or a chocolate treat.
Which allergens should I check in canoes?
Always check the allergens for the exact variety. The AH, Jumbo and PLUS canoes described list cereals containing gluten, milk, egg, soya and almonds or other nuts, among other ingredients; warnings about traces may also vary.
What should I do with allergen information when leaving treats for hotel guests?
Make sure guests can check the allergen information for the product you’re offering. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must appear on the label of pre-packed foods. Keep the packaging or the correct product information if you unpack the treats.
How should I store canoes until coffee time?
Follow the use-by date and storage instructions on the pack you’ve bought. The varieties described by AH, Jumbo and PLUS should be stored in a cool, dry place; Albert Heijn recommends keeping them in a sealed tin after opening.