Office managers filling a communal tin
If the tin is regularly passed around, the number of biscuits in each pack matters, as does packaging that can be resealed properly once opened.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Teams with varying numbers of people in the office
If the tin doesn’t run empty every day, packs of two or other small portions make it easy to put out just a few biscuits at a time.
Buyers who need to consider allergens
When sharing a tin, it’s important to check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the current pack for each variant you choose.
What should you look for?
First, consider how quickly the tin will be emptied and what portion sizes you want to put out. Then choose a type of chocolate biscuit and check that the specific pack suits your team’s dietary requirements and preferences.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| A tin for sharing | Compare the number of biscuits, any flavour assortment and the storage advice for after opening. | If the tin is passed around frequently, I want to put out enough biscuits without having to open a new pack each time. Around 31% of consumers put shareability first. |
| Small portions | Check how many biscuits are in each individual pack and follow the storage instructions on the pack. | When office attendance varies, I want to put out just a few biscuits at a time. For around 25% of consumers, small portions are the top priority. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens, ‘may contain’ statements and any dietary claims on the current packaging. | When colleagues have different dietary needs, I want to know what the chosen variant contains before sharing it. Around 25% of consumers put checking allergens and dietary suitability first. |
| Type of biscuit and chocolate | Check whether the biscuit is covered or coated in chocolate, or contains chocolate chips only; also check the type of chocolate. | With a coffee, I sometimes look specifically for a speculoos biscuit, cereal biscuit or chocolate stick rather than a plain biscuit. Around 19% of consumers choose primarily based on this distinction. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every chocolate biscuit is coated
A biscuit with chocolate chips is different from one with a chocolate coating. According to Jumbo’s product listings, LU Mikado is coated in 49% milk chocolate and LU Time Out in 22% milk chocolate; they also come in different biscuit shapes.
If you’re looking for a particular type, check the product description for terms such as ‘covered’, ‘coated’ or ‘with chocolate chips’.
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Looking only at the outer packaging
If the tin will be emptied gradually, the way the biscuits are packed inside makes a difference. ALDI lists Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits in packs of two, while Albert Heijn describes the Lotus Biscoff variant mentioned as six packs of three biscuits.
Compare the individual packs with the number of colleagues who usually help themselves, and follow the storage advice on the pack after opening.
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Confusing a dietary claim with allergen suitability
A product being described as vegan doesn’t mean it’s suitable for someone with a food allergy. Allergens vary between variants, and warnings about possible traces are relevant too.
Check the current packaging of the exact product you’re sharing; don’t rely on the brand name or type of biscuit alone.
Brands to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Caramelised speculoos offers a different flavour from a classic chocolate biscuit. For the specific Speculoos Belgian Chocolate 2-pack, Albert Heijn lists six packs of three biscuits.
- Albert Heijn describes this particular variant as suitable for vegans.
- That description doesn’t automatically apply to other Lotus Biscoff products; check the ingredients and allergens on the current pack.
LU
Mikado sticks and Time Out cereal biscuits offer different biscuit shapes, both coated in milk chocolate.
- The product listings reviewed state that Mikado has a 49% milk chocolate coating and Time Out a 22% coating.
- Check the allergens for each variant; the Time Out listing mentions milk, cereals containing gluten and soya, among other things.
Jumbo
The own-brand products reviewed include milk chocolate biscuits in a pack of 9 and cereal biscuits in 9 twin-packs.
- For its Milk Chocolate Biscuits, Jumbo advises storing them in a sealed biscuit tin after opening.
- Check the allergens on each pack; the Jumbo products reviewed mention milk and cereals containing gluten, among other things.
Biscotto
ALDI describes a pack of 20 butter biscuits with dark, white and milk chocolate.
- According to ALDI, the biscuits are packed in pairs, making it easy to put out small quantities.
- Before buying, check the current packaging if the types of chocolate or ingredients matter to your team.
Sondey
Lidl lists products under this brand including Choco biscuits milk, 125 g.
- An option to consider if you’re specifically looking for milk chocolate biscuits.
- Check the pack of this specific variant for ingredients, allergens and dietary suitability.
Chocolate biscuits and wafers at Joybuy
This selection includes biscuits, biscuit sticks and chocolate wafers. If you only want biscuits for the office tin, check the product type before buying. For shared snacks, always check the current allergen information.
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Milka Choco Wafer Milk, 180 g
A chocolate wafer for anyone looking to offer wafers as well as biscuits. The listed pack size is 180 g; check the label for allergens before sharing.
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LU Scholiertje Milk Chocolate Biscuits, 150 g
A milk chocolate biscuit for anyone looking for a biscuit rather than a wafer. The listed pack size is 150 g; check the pack for how the biscuits are wrapped and which allergens are listed.
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Nestle Kitkat Strawberry Short Cake, 9 stuks, 104,4 g
A strawberry-flavoured option for anyone considering a snack other than a classic biscuit. The product name lists 9 pieces and 104,4 g; check the product type, individual packaging and allergens on the pack.
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LU Time Out Cereal Biscuit Chocolate, 171 g
A chocolate cereal biscuit for anyone who prefers this type of biscuit to a classic one. The listed pack size is 171 g; check the individual packaging and allergens for this variant.
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LU Mikado Milk Chocolate Biscuit Sticks, 75 g
Thin biscuit sticks for anyone who wants to offer something different from a regular biscuit. The listed pack size is 75 g; Jumbo describes this Mikado variant as coated in 49% milk chocolate. Check the current label for allergens and storage advice.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check for allergens before putting biscuits in a communal tin?
Yes. Check the current packaging of each variant you choose before sharing the biscuits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label; also look out for warnings such as ‘may contain’.
Is a vegan biscuit also suitable for colleagues with a food allergy?
Not automatically: a vegan label doesn’t replace the need to check for specific allergens. Albert Heijn describes the Lotus Biscoff Speculoos Belgian Chocolate variant mentioned as suitable for vegans, but advises checking the current packaging because product information can change.
How should I store chocolate biscuits after opening?
Follow the storage advice on the specific pack. For its Milk Chocolate Biscuits, Jumbo advises resealing the packaging properly and storing the biscuits in a closed biscuit tin after opening.