For fans of a pronounced cocoa flavour
You want to base your choice on a stated cocoa content. For example, Verkade states that its Extra Puur bar contains at least 71% cocoa; it isn’t a canoe-shaped pastry.
Which option is right for you?
For anyone serving little treats with coffee
You’re looking for a small biscuit to serve with coffee. Verkade describes Duo'tjes Chocolade as two oat biscuits with a dark chocolate filling; that description doesn’t specify a cocoa percentage.
For anyone who prefers a classic canoe-shaped pastry
You’d rather have a familiar pastry shape. Albert Heijn lists butter-rich canoe-shaped pastries; check the packaging separately to see whether your chosen product contains chocolate, if that matters to you.
What should you look for when choosing?
Chocolate bar with a stated cocoa content
Choose this if: a verifiable cocoa percentage matters more to you than the shape of a biscuit or canoe-shaped pastry. Verkade states that Extra Puur contains at least 71% cocoa.
The trade-off: a bar doesn’t have the pastry shape of a canoe-shaped treat.
Biscuit with a dark chocolate filling
Choose this if: you’d rather serve a small biscuit. Verkade describes Duo'tjes Chocolade as two oat biscuits with a dark chocolate filling.
The trade-off: a dark chocolate filling doesn’t confirm a high cocoa percentage, and the biscuit isn’t canoe-shaped.
Butter-rich canoe-shaped pastry
Choose this if: you want the classic canoe shape; Albert Heijn lists butter-rich canoe-shaped pastries.
The trade-off: the name ‘butter-rich canoe-shaped pastry’ doesn’t confirm that it contains dark chocolate or state a cocoa percentage.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa content | Read the stated cocoa percentage and the current ingredients list; don’t infer the percentage from the colour or product name. | If I’m mainly looking for a pronounced cocoa flavour, I want to be able to compare percentages rather than judge by the packaging. This is estimated to be the main reason for buying for around 50% of consumers. |
| Ease of serving | Check the biscuit shape, number of pieces and portion size on the packaging. | When I’m having coffee, I want to be able to serve something small without breaking up a bar first. This convenience is estimated to be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Canoe shape | Check that the product really is canoe-shaped, and look separately for any mention of chocolate. | I specifically want a familiar pastry to go with my coffee, even if a stated cocoa percentage matters less to me. An estimated 20% of consumers would choose the canoe shape as their main reason. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming a dark appearance means a high cocoa content
A dark chocolate filling doesn’t tell you what percentage of cocoa the whole biscuit contains.
If a stated percentage is your deciding factor, look for one explicitly and check the current packaging.
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Treating a canoe-shaped pastry and a chocolate bar as the same kind of treat
A bar with a stated cocoa content suits a different preference from the pastry shape of a canoe-shaped treat.
Before choosing a product, decide whether cocoa content, a small biscuit or the classic canoe shape matters most to you.
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Relying only on online allergen information
Ingredients and allergen information can change. This matters if you have a food allergy and are serving something to others.
Before serving, read the allergen information on the current physical packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on the labels of prepacked foods.
Relevant brands to consider
Verkade
Verkade has several products for anyone considering chocolate with their coffee: the Extra Puur bar and Duo'tjes Chocolade oat biscuits.
- Verkade says Extra Puur contains at least 71% cocoa; Duo'tjes Chocolade has a dark chocolate filling.
- Neither product is a canoe-shaped pastry. The description of the filling in Duo'tjes doesn’t state a cocoa percentage for the biscuit.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s product listings are useful if you’re looking for a classic butter-rich canoe-shaped pastry.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Roomboter kano's and AH Kano's roomboter.
- The product names don’t confirm that these are a dark chocolate variety. Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergen information.
Chocolate bars to enjoy with coffee
These Joybuy products are chocolate bars with a cocoa percentage in the product name. They’re suited to anyone looking for a clearly stated cocoa content, rather than a canoe shape or a filled biscuit.
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Lindt Excellence 78% Cacao, 100 g
For anyone who wants a bar with a clearly stated cocoa content to enjoy with coffee, rather than a canoe-shaped pastry. The product name states 78% cocoa and 100 g; if you have allergies, check the current label before serving.
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Lindt Excellence 90% Cocoa Supreme Dark, 100 g
For anyone specifically looking for a bar with 90% cocoa to enjoy with coffee, without needing the canoe shape. The product name states 100 g; check the current packaging for ingredients and allergen information.
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Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate, 100 g
For anyone looking for a chocolate bar with a stated cocoa content to enjoy with coffee, rather than a canoe-shaped pastry. The product name states 70% cocoa and 100 g. The allergen information for this bar isn’t clear-cut; check the current packaging before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Is a butter-rich canoe-shaped pastry also a dark chocolate variety?
You can’t tell from that product name alone. Albert Heijn lists butter-rich canoe-shaped pastries, but if you’re specifically looking for chocolate or a cocoa percentage, check the current packaging of the product you choose.
Does a dark chocolate filling mean a biscuit contains a lot of cocoa?
No. The description of the filling doesn’t give a cocoa percentage for the whole biscuit. Verkade describes Duo'tjes Chocolade as oat biscuits with a dark chocolate filling; look for an explicitly stated percentage if it’s important to your choice.
Where can I check allergen information before serving something with coffee?
Read the allergen information on the current physical packaging of the product you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on labels for prepacked foods; online product information may have changed in the meantime.
Does a high cocoa percentage automatically make chocolate healthy?
No. A cocoa percentage alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is healthy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that chocolate also contains saturated fat and calories. Use the percentage here to compare the stated composition of the products, not as a health claim.