For afternoon coffee, first decide what kind of chocolate coating you’re looking for: a biscuit described as having a layer of chocolate is different from one with chocolate on just one side. If coffee and biscuits are a regular fixture, check how many biscuits are in each individual pack and compare the nutritional information and allergens for the variety you choose.
If you mainly want a chocolate-topped speculoos biscuit to enjoy with your coffee, check the exact product description. Albert Heijn describes Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Belgian chocolate as speculoos with a layer of Belgian chocolate, and suggests serving it with coffee.
For a coffee break for one or two people, the individual packaging can make a difference. Albert Heijn describes its Lotus Biscoff Belgian chocolate 3-pack as containing packs of three biscuits; ALDI describes its Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits as individually packed in pairs.
If sugar, fat or a food allergy is a consideration, the label on the variety you choose matters more than the brand name. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per serving, and check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
Decide whether the biscuit will be an occasional treat or a regular part of your afternoon coffee. Then choose the type of chocolate coating you prefer and a pack size that suits the number of biscuits you want to serve.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritional balance | Compare sugar, fat and nutritional values per 100 g and per serving; consider the rest of your diet when making your choice. | If I regularly have a biscuit with my coffee, I want to know how it fits in with what else I eat. Nutritional balance is the main consideration for around 40% of consumers making this choice. |
| Portion size and packaging | Check how many biscuits are in each individual pack and the storage advice once opened. | When I’m making coffee for one or two people, I don’t want to open more biscuits than we intend to eat. Portion size and convenience are the main considerations for around 30% of consumers. |
| Chocolate coating and ingredients | Look for a layer, a chocolate-covered underside, pieces or a filling, and check the ingredients and allergens for that exact variety. | I’m looking for a particular type of chocolate biscuit and need to know whether the ingredients are suitable for the person I’m buying it for. This combination is the deciding factor for around 30% of consumers. |
A chocolate layer, chocolate on one side, chocolate pieces and a filling all describe different types of product. For example, Albert Heijn describes its Chocolate Biscuits as biscuits with a milk chocolate-coated underside.
Check how the chocolate is described in the product details before choosing based on the picture.
Different flavours or versions from the same brand may contain different ingredients. The Lotus Biscoff dark chocolate variety described by Jumbo lists milk, wheat and soya.
If you have an allergy or dietary requirement, always check the label on the exact flavour and pack you’re buying.
What someone eats overall also matters if they regularly have coffee and a biscuit. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that snacks can be high in energy and low in nutrients, and that older people need enough nutrients and fluids.
Distinguish between a treat and an everyday snack. In the latter case, also consider other options that fit into your usual diet.
A flavour, pack or online range you looked at previously may not match the product in front of you now.
Check the current product description before buying, and read the label when it arrives, especially if ingredients or allergens are important.
Speculoos in a range of chocolate varieties; the version you choose determines the type of chocolate coating and ingredients.
Own-brand biscuits, including options with chocolate on one side rather than a differently applied chocolate layer.
The chocolate biscuit range includes a variety of products, such as biscuits and digestives with milk or dark chocolate.
ALDI describes a range of butter biscuits under this brand, with dark, white and milk chocolate.
These products offer different options for a sweet coffee break: a biscuit with milk chocolate, chocolate-coated biscuit sticks and chocolate wafers. A wafer is a different type of product from a speculoos biscuit. Choose the shape and style you prefer, and always check the packaging for the variety you select if you have dietary or allergy concerns.
No image available
A biscuit for anyone looking for milk chocolate to enjoy with their coffee.
Contents: 150 g. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
No image available
A wafer option to consider if you’d like a chocolate and strawberry flavour alongside biscuits.
The pack contains 9 pieces and weighs 104.4 g. If you’re comparing nutritional values, check the label for information per 100 g and per serving.
No image available
Biscuit sticks for anyone looking for something different from a traditional coffee biscuit.
Contents: 47 g. Check the nutritional information and allergens for this variety before choosing it for someone with specific requirements.
No image available
A wafer option for anyone who’d like chocolate with a salted caramel flavour alongside their coffee.
The pack contains 9 pieces. If you have an allergy, also check the current packaging for information about possible cross-contamination.
No image available
A biscuit option for anyone considering milk chocolate with pistachio flavour to enjoy with their coffee.
The pack contains 10 pieces of 12.5 g each. Before buying, check the label if allergens or nutritional values are important to your choice.
Don’t automatically treat a chocolate biscuit as an everyday snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that snacks can be high in energy and low in nutrients, and that older people need enough nutrients. It’s worth considering the rest of their diet too.
Read the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging for the exact variety you’ve chosen. The products described list different ingredients depending on the version, so don’t rely on a previous purchase from the same brand.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging. For the biscuits described, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a sealed tin once opened; Jumbo says its Lotus Biscoff variety should be kept in a cool, dry place.
Compare the nutritional information for the exact variety with the person’s dietary advice, rather than relying on the product name. If it’s not clear how the biscuit fits that advice, discuss your choice with their healthcare professional or dietitian.
