Choose a pack of chocolate biscuits for coffee with friends by looking at the number of biscuits or portions, rather than relying on the ‘family pack’ label alone. Small individual packs are handy if you want to serve one to each guest or keep unopened portions for later; if you’re expecting a larger group, a stated number of biscuits makes planning easier. For the variant you choose, also check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the packaging.
If you want to know in advance how many biscuits you can serve, the number of biscuits and how they’re divided into portions tell you more than ‘family pack’. For example, ALDI lists 20 Biscotto chocolate biscuits, while Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists Biscoff packs including 20 × 2 biscuits. The standard Biscoff is not the same type of product as chocolate biscuits.
Small individual portions can be handy if you don’t want to put all the biscuits out at once. For example, Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists chocolate speculoos in packs of 7 × 3 biscuits. As well as checking how they’re divided up, consider the total number of biscuits you need.
If this matters to a guest, check the exact packaging before serving the biscuits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens which must be declared need to appear on the label. Albert Heijn points out that online ingredient and allergy information can change.
First, work out how many biscuits you want to be able to serve. Then choose the pack format and type of chocolate biscuit. Always check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the specific variant.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare the number of biscuits or portions with the net weight. ‘Family pack’ on its own doesn’t tell you how many biscuits are inside. | If several friends are coming over, I want to know in advance how many biscuits I can serve, rather than judging by a pack that looks large. Getting enough is the top priority for around 28% of consumers. |
| Type of chocolate | Check whether the chosen variant has chocolate filling, a chocolate topping or chocolate in the biscuit itself; compare the ingredients for that variant. | For my coffee table, I’m looking for a biscuit with the kind of chocolate my guests enjoy, rather than just any biscuit from the same product range. The right chocolate flavour matters most to around 22% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the label on the exact pack, including any ‘may contain’ information if it’s relevant to a guest. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check whether this particular biscuit is suitable. Around 22% of consumers put this check first. |
| Individual portions | Check how many biscuits are in each individual pack and how many individual packs the larger pack contains. | I want to be able to serve something to each guest and keep the remaining portions sealed. For around 17% of consumers, this is the first thing they consider when choosing how to serve biscuits. |
| Portion size and nutritional value | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and, if provided, per portion; check the size of that portion. | If I’m considering different biscuits, I want to know what a portion from each pack contains. Around 11% of consumers prioritise portion size and nutritional value. |
Packs can vary considerably: ALDI lists 20 Biscotto chocolate biscuits weighing 250 g, while Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists chocolate speculoos in packs of 7 × 3 biscuits. The wording on the front doesn’t tell you how many guests one pack will serve.
Work out how many people you’re expecting, then compare the number of biscuits, portions and net weight.
Even variants in the same product range can contain different ingredients. For Verkade Duo'tjes, Jumbo lists milk, oats, soya and wheat, as well as possible traces of other allergens.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re actually going to serve, even if you’ve bought the product before.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives an example nutritional value for a large biscuit, but also notes that values can vary by brand. That example isn’t the nutritional information for your pack.
Compare the table on your chosen pack per 100 g and, where available, per portion. Check how large the stated portion is, too.
Verkade offers several types of chocolate biscuit, including Duo'tjes with chocolate filling.
Lotus Bakeries Nederland lists different pack formats for Biscoff and chocolate speculoos.
Albert Heijn lists a chocolate biscuit assortment and other biscuits with chocolate.
Jumbo lists chocolate biscuits in a range of pack weights, from its own-brand products and other brands.
Lidl describes, among other products, a Double Chocolate Cookie with pieces of dark and white chocolate.
ALDI lists Biscotto chocolate biscuits in a pack of 20, weighing 250 g, individually wrapped in twos.
These two chocolate biscuits are worth considering if you’re looking for a filled biscuit or one with milk chocolate to serve with coffee. If you’re buying for a group, compare the pack quantities: particularly for the Ulker pack, it’s not possible to tell the total contents clearly from the information provided.
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An option if you’d like to serve biscuits filled with chocolate cream alongside coffee. The quantity information for this product isn’t clear: before buying, check the packaging to see how many individual packs and biscuits you’ll receive. Also read the ingredients and allergen information if it’s relevant to a guest.
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An option if you’d like to serve biscuits coated in milk chocolate with coffee. The product name states that the pack weighs 150 g; check the packaging for the number of biscuits or individual portions to see whether it’s enough for your guests. Also read the ingredients and allergen information before serving.
Yes. For prepacked foods, allergens that must be declared need to be listed on the label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority identifies 14 allergens and says they must be clearly distinguishable in the ingredients list. Check the packaging of the variant you’re serving.
Use it to help you make your choice, but also read the packaging of the product you buy. Albert Heijn points out that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the biscuits you choose, and leave any unopened individual packs sealed. Advice can vary by product: Verkade Duo'tjes should be stored in a cool, dry place, while LU Prince biscuits should be kept dry and protected from heat.
