Anyone looking to share a treat with a drink
Chocolate biscuits can be just the thing for a relaxed coffee or tea break. Pay particular attention to how you keep the packet sealed while you’re out and how you store any leftover biscuits.
Who is each option best suited to?
Anyone bringing a small chocolate gift
A box of individually wrapped pieces is handy if you want to give someone a gift or share them among a group. Check how many pieces the box contains: gift packaging alone doesn’t tell you that.
Anyone catering for food allergies
If your group has a range of dietary requirements, start by checking the label. Look at the ingredients and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the exact pack you’re buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
Chocolate biscuits
Choose these: if you mainly want to serve a biscuit with coffee or tea.
Bear in mind: an opened packet needs to be kept tightly sealed. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place.
Box of chocolates
Choose this: if it’s a small gift or you want to hand out individual pieces.
Bear in mind: an assortment may contain different ingredients. Check the allergens on the pack you choose and keep the chocolate away from heat.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing or giving as a gift | Check the number of pieces and whether they’re individually wrapped. | If I want to give something to someone or share it with a group, presentation and individually wrapped pieces matter most to me. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Taking it with you and storing it | Check that the packaging is intact and read the storage instructions. | I’m mainly looking for a snack I can take with me unopened and store any leftovers properly. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the label for the exact product, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If someone in the group has a food allergy, I need to be able to check the product’s ingredients first. This check takes priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a mixed box of chocolates is suitable for everyone
Different flavours may also mean different ingredients and allergens. An individual wrapper doesn’t automatically make a piece of chocolate suitable for someone with a food allergy.
Check the allergen information on the exact box. If in doubt, choose an individual product whose label you can check.
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Taking an opened packet with you without considering the conditions
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, biscuits can go soft or stale if they’re stored in unsuitable conditions. Heat can also affect chocolate.
It’s best to take the product with you unopened, seal any leftovers tightly and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
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Judging by the gift packaging alone
The outside of a box doesn’t always tell you how the contents are divided up. If you’re sharing it, it matters whether the pieces are individually wrapped and how many people you want to offer them to.
Compare the contents, number of pieces and ingredients before deciding which pack is right for your group.
Brands to consider
Verkade
Worth considering if you’re specifically looking for chocolate biscuits. Verkade describes its Chocorondjes Milk Chocolate as biscuits topped with a layer of milk chocolate.
- Verkade also sells Duo’tjes Chocolade in a small pack.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each product you’re considering; the product type alone doesn’t tell you what they are.
Merci
An option to consider if individually wrapped pieces are important for giving or sharing.
- Albert Heijn describes the Merci Gift Box as containing 32 individually wrapped chocolate bars.
- Check the allergen information for this mixed box and store the chocolate according to the instructions on the packaging.
Ferrero Rocher
Worth considering if you want to give someone a box rather than serve a packet of biscuits.
- Albert Heijn describes a Ferrero Rocher gift box containing 16 pieces.
- Check the label on the box you choose if allergens are a concern, and bear the storage instructions in mind.
Chocolate biscuits and chocolate to share
This selection of Joybuy products includes biscuits and wafers for a relaxed snack, as well as chocolate assortments you can take with you to give as a gift or share. If sharing is your main priority, check how many individual portions are in the pack you choose.
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Milka Choco Wafer Milk, 180 g
A chocolate wafer for anyone looking to serve a snack with a drink. The pack contains 180 g; check how it’s divided into portions before sharing, and read the label for this product if anyone has allergies.
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Lu Scholiertje milk chocolate biscuits, 150 g
A biscuit option for a relaxed coffee or tea break. The pack contains 150 g of milk chocolate biscuits; read the label on the pack you choose if ingredients or allergens are a concern.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift pack to consider if you want to bring something along to give as a gift or share. The pack contains 288 g; if you want to hand out pieces individually, check whether they’re individually wrapped, and read the label if anyone has allergies.
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Celebrations assorted chocolates, 385 g
A chocolate assortment for anyone who wants to put something out on the table or bring along to share. The pack contains 385 g; check the number of pieces and wrappers if everyone needs an individual portion, and check the allergens on the label.
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Garden Bb Bear bear-shaped biscuits with chocolate flavour (Calcium), 100 g
A biscuit option if you’re not looking for a gift box. The pack contains 100 g of bear-shaped biscuits with chocolate flavour; check the seal and portion sizes if taking them with you or sharing them matters, and read the label if anyone has allergies.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to check each product separately if someone has a food allergy?
Yes. Check the label on the exact pack, even if you already know the brand. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, prepacked products must include allergen information; also look for any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
How should I store leftover chocolate biscuits?
Keep an opened packet tightly sealed in a cool, dry, dark place. This follows the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage advice for biscuits; also follow the instructions and use-by date on the packaging.
What does a white coating on chocolate mean?
A white coating can appear when fat rises to the surface. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, this coating is not harmful in itself. Also check the condition of the packaging and follow the storage instructions and date information on the label.