Choose a pack size based on how you want to hand out the chocolate biscuits: individually wrapped portions make it easy to count how many people you can serve, biscuits packed in pairs are ideal for two-biscuit portions, and a pack for a sharing plate means more dividing at the table. Then compare the number of biscuits or portions with the weight. If any guests have allergies, check the label on the exact variety you’ve chosen.
If you want to give everyone a portion on St Nicholas’ Eve, check the stated number of biscuits or portions. ALDI lists 20 biscuits in its Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits; Albert Heijn lists 16 individually wrapped portions of its AH Chocolate Mini Caramel Biscuits.
Pay attention to how the biscuits are packed inside, not just the outer packaging. Individually wrapped portions and biscuits packed in pairs give you different amounts to take with you each time.
Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the variety you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires 14 allergens to be listed on the label. A familiar brand name is no substitute for checking.
First, work out how many individual portions you need for St Nicholas’ Eve. Then consider whether the pack will also work for anything you want to take with you afterwards. Always check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions to hand out | Look for the number of biscuits or portions, and check whether they’re individually wrapped or packed in pairs. | If I want to give everyone a set portion on St Nicholas’ Eve, I want to know in advance how many there are to share out. Around 27% of consumers prioritise how easy a product is to hand out. |
| Taking some home after the celebration | Check whether the pack format suits the amount you want to take with you each time. | If there are biscuits left for lunchboxes, I don’t want to keep dividing up an opened pack. For around 20% of consumers, convenience when taking food with them is the main priority. |
| Quantity | Compare the weight per 100 g of similar products, and also check the stated number of biscuits or portions. | For a sharing plate, I want to know whether the pack contains enough biscuits, even when two packs look roughly the same size. Around 27% of consumers give quantity top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and, where relevant, any ‘may contain’ warning for the variety you’ve chosen. | If I’m buying for someone with an allergy, checking whether the specific product is suitable has to come before my packaging preference. For around 26% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
The outer packaging doesn’t tell you how the contents are divided up. ALDI describes its Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits as packed in pairs, while Albert Heijn says its AH Chocolate Mini Caramel Biscuits come in individually wrapped portions.
Check whether the label gives a number of biscuits, pairs or individual portions, then choose the pack that suits how you plan to hand them out.
Weight and the number of portions answer different questions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g; for a celebration, you’ll also need to know the number of biscuits or portions.
Make a note of how many portions you want to hand out and compare that number with what’s on the pack, even if the total weight seems generous.
Ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings apply to specific biscuit varieties. For example, Verkade says its Duo'tjes Chocolade may contain traces of peanuts, nuts, sesame seeds and egg. That doesn’t automatically tell you anything about another product from the same brand.
Check the current label on the variety you’re actually planning to serve every time you buy.
Albert Heijn lists St Nicholas’ chocolate as a separate category in its range. When planning your celebration, don’t assume that a particular seasonal product will be available every time you shop.
Check for the product you want shortly before buying, and consider whether a standard chocolate biscuit would also work for your plans.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for chocolate biscuits, with options including Duo'tjes Chocolade and Chocorondjes.
A useful point of comparison for individually wrapped portions: AH Chocolate Mini Caramel Biscuits come in a 350 g pack containing 16 portions of 21 g.
A useful point of comparison for different pack sizes; Jumbo lists products including Milk Chocolate Biscuits, with 9 biscuits in 125 g.
An example of a pack of biscuits in pairs: ALDI describes its Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits as 20 biscuits in 250 g, packed in pairs.
An alternative to compare if speculoos would also suit your St Nicholas’ Eve celebration: Lotus Bakeries Netherlands lists formats including 3 × 125 g, 8 × 2 biscuits and 20 × 2 biscuits.
These Joybuy products include chocolate biscuits and related biscuit or wafer products in a range of pack sizes. Wafer bars aren’t classic chocolate biscuits, so first choose the type of product you want to serve, then check how the contents are divided into portions.
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An option if you’d like to hand out chocolate wafer bars rather than classic chocolate biscuits. The pack weighs 284 g. Check the packaging to see how many individual portions you can hand out, and read the label if anyone has allergies.
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A stick-shaped option to consider if you want small portions of chocolate biscuit to take with you. The pack weighs 47 g. Check how many sticks it contains if you want to count out portions for guests in advance, and read the current label for allergen information.
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A wafer bar option if you’re mainly looking for a stated number of pieces rather than a classic chocolate biscuit. The pack lists 10 pieces and 113 g. Check whether the bars are individually wrapped if you want to put them straight into lunchboxes.
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A chocolate biscuit to consider if you want to hand them out in pairs. The pack weighs 150 g. Check how many pairs it contains before working out how many guests it will serve.
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A multipack to consider if you’re looking for several units to put on a sharing plate. The title lists 10 × 96 g. Check how many biscuits are in each unit and whether the units are sealed before planning portions to hand out.
Start with the number of people and how many portions you want to give each person. Then compare this with the stated number of biscuits or portions on the pack. Albert Heijn lists 16 portions for its AH Chocolate Mini Caramel Biscuits, ALDI lists 20 biscuits for its Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits, and Jumbo lists 9 biscuits for its Milk Chocolate Biscuits. If the biscuits are packed in pairs, count the number of wrapped pairs as part of your plan.
Yes. Check the label on the exact chocolate biscuits you’re planning to serve. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that 14 allergens must be listed on the label. Ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings can vary between varieties.
Check for the product you want shortly before buying. Albert Heijn has a separate category for St Nicholas’ chocolate, but a category in the range doesn’t guarantee that a particular variety will be available when you shop.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the biscuits you’ve chosen. Reseal an opened pack as instructed, and don’t assume that guidance for another variety applies without checking.
