A host who wants to serve pastries
You’re looking for something to serve with coffee or tea at a birthday get-together. Canoe-shaped pastries are filled pastries; ALDI describes its version as a treat to enjoy with coffee.
Which option is right for you?
A gift-giver looking for chocolate
You want to give the birthday person a gift of their own. A box of truffles in gift packaging suits this purpose; Chocoladegift and Kaartje2go describe these products as individual chocolate gifts.
A host who needs to check allergens
You’re serving food to guests with different dietary needs. Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact product, rather than relying on the product category.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want something to put on the table or a gift to hand over. Then consider how much you’ll need and what allergen information your guests or the recipient need.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Treat or gift | Check whether you’re buying filled pastries or chocolate, and whether the packaging is suitable for gifting. | I want to give the birthday person something, not just put pastries on the table. For around 38% of consumers, gift presentation is the top priority. |
| How much to share | Compare the net weight with the number of guests and work out how many packs you’ll need. | I want to serve enough pastries for everyone with their coffee. Around 37% of consumers prioritise having a treat they can share. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, listed allergens and ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact product. | I want to know what I can offer my guests before serving anything. For around 25% of consumers, allergen information is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Buying canoe-shaped pastries when you’re looking for a chocolate gift
Canoe-shaped pastries are filled pastries; they aren’t automatically a substitute for a box of truffles or a personal gift.
Before you buy, decide whether you’re looking for something to put on the party table or a separate gift for the birthday person.
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Assuming all products of the same type have the same allergens
Ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings can vary between pastries and chocolate products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains where allergen information must be available for pre-packed and unpackaged food.
Ask guests what they need to avoid and check the information for the exact product. If you’re buying unpackaged products, ask for the allergen information before you buy.
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Mistaking a product listing for an available purchase option
A product page being visible doesn’t mean you can order the item at that time.
Check the product’s status and delivery options for your chosen location before you check out.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo lists 275 g Kano’s with butter, filled with almond paste.
- The listed pack contains five portions, which can help you work out how much you’ll need for your get-together.
- The product information includes almonds, egg, gluten, milk and soya. If you have allergies, check the label on the pack you buy.
PLUS
PLUS lists a 275 g pack of butter canoe-shaped pastries, decorated with almonds and filled with almond paste.
- The ingredients make clear that these are filled pastries to serve at the table, not a box of chocolates.
- The listed ingredients and allergens include wheat, milk, egg, soya and almonds; check the ‘may contain’ warning too.
Heerlijck Banket
ALDI describes Heerlijck Banket Kano’s, 330 g, as canoe-shaped pastries to enjoy with coffee.
- The listed net weight helps you estimate how many packs you’ll need for your group.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack if this information is important for your guests.
g'woon
The g'woon Kano’s listing on Joybuy is for a 275 g pack of filled pastries.
- The product listing describes a filling made with almond paste, making these a suitable choice to serve with coffee.
- Joybuy lists this product as no longer available, so don’t treat the listing as a current purchase option.
Chocolate for your get-together
These Joybuy products are chocolate assortments you could consider for your get-together. Check whether the packaging suits your needs: sharing chocolate and giving a gift aren’t always the same thing.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted 385 g
This assortment could be shared at your get-together or given as a gift; check whether the packaging suits the occasion.
If you have allergies, check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you buy.
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Lindt Lindor Assorted Chocolate Truffles 200 g
If you’d like to offer truffles in different flavours, check which varieties are included in this pack.
If you’re buying these as a gift, check the packaging, and if you have allergies, read the label on the exact product.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack 143 g
Consider this chocolate for your party table if the contents and product format suit what you’d like to serve.
Check the exact format and packaging before ordering; don’t assume it’s a box of truffles based on the name alone. If you have allergies, read the label.
Frequently asked questions
Are canoe-shaped pastries the same as a box of chocolates?
No. The Kano’s described by PLUS and Jumbo are filled pastries; a box of truffles is a different type of product. So you’ll make different choices for something to have with coffee and a separate birthday gift.
Which allergens should I check for my guests?
Check the ingredients, listed allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for each exact product. The Kano’s described here include wheat, milk, egg, soya and almonds; don’t assume a chocolate product has the same ingredients.
How should I store my purchase until the get-together?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy. Storage advice can vary between pastries and chocolate products, including after opening.