If you want to share chocolate or give it as a small gift, a box of individually wrapped assorted chocolates is a good choice. For a single late-night snack, you could also opt for a measured piece of dark chocolate. If you prefer something crunchy, speculoos biscuits are a better choice than a box of chocolates. Whichever you choose, check the portion size and the label for the exact product, especially if ingredients or allergens are a consideration.
Individually wrapped chocolates or a piece of chocolate chosen in advance make it clear how much you’re having as a snack. Check the amount in each piece: a pack of individually wrapped portions doesn’t decide your serving size for you.
A box of assorted flavours can also be suitable for sharing. Check what chocolate is actually inside, and bear in mind any ingredients the recipient needs to avoid.
The name or appearance of a box doesn’t tell you enough about milk, nuts, soya or possible cross-contamination. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen before offering or eating it.
First decide whether you want a selection of chocolates to share, one set portion of chocolate for a snack, or a biscuit instead. Then compare the contents and labels of products that suit your needs.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion for a late-night snack | Check the weight per piece or portion, and the nutritional information per portion and per 100 g. A portion size on the label is only useful if it matches the amount you actually eat. | If I want something to eat late in the evening, I want to be able to choose one set amount in advance. For around 33% of consumers, a clearly defined portion comes first. |
| Small gift or something to share | Check the net weight, the number of individually wrapped pieces and the types of chocolate in the box. | For a small gift or a shared snack, I’m looking for a selection that gives several people something to choose from; this is the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Different flavours | Read which types of chocolate and any fillings are included in the pack. A pack of biscuits isn’t an assortment of chocolates. | I want to be able to choose between flavours, whereas one familiar biscuit flavour is less appealing to me. This variety is the deciding factor for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, listed allergens and warnings about possible cross-contamination on the exact product packaging. | If I need to avoid an ingredient, I also need to know whether the selection is suitable for me or the recipient. Around 17% of consumers put this check ahead of their other priorities. |
Lotus Biscoff Original is a speculoos biscuit. It isn’t an assortment of chocolates or chocolate bars, even though both options can work for a late-night snack.
Before comparing packs, decide whether you want to give or eat biscuits or assorted chocolates.
According to the product information, the merci Geschenkdoos we looked at contains milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, among other ingredients, and may contain peanuts and egg. A range of flavours doesn’t mean it’s suitable for someone with an allergy.
Check the current packaging for the exact product you’re buying, especially if you need to take the recipient’s allergies into account.
According to the Voedingscentrum, an average 7 g square of sugar-free dark chocolate still contains 32 kcal.
For the specific product, also check the portion size, energy and saturated fat on the label.
If allergens or other ingredients are an important factor in your choice, the information needs to match the packaging of the product you’ve selected.
So, before eating it, read the label on the packaging itself, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
Worth considering if you want to share or give a box of assorted chocolates.
A biscuit option for anyone who’d rather have speculoos than chocolates from a box.
The chocolate gifts category is useful for comparing different types of box and pack sizes.
Product information can help you compare ingredients, allergens and nutritional values before choosing a box.
These Joybuy products include a chocolate gift pack and individual chocolate and biscuit snacks. A chocolate biscuit or wafer bar isn’t a substitute for the presentation and mix of flavours in an assorted box, so first choose what suits your snack or gift.
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The tubes are handy if you want to grab or share one pack at a time; this isn’t a gift box with assorted chocolate flavours.
If you’re allergic to milk, wheat or barley, check the current label.
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A gift pack for anyone who wants to give chocolate or try different flavours together. Check what’s inside if a particular type of chocolate or filling matters to you.
If you have allergies, check the current information about milk, almond, hazelnut, soya and egg, as well as the warning about possible cross-contact.
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For anyone who’d prefer a chocolate biscuit for a late-night snack rather than a box of assorted chocolates.
If you have allergies, check the label for milk, wheat and soya, and for the possible presence of nuts.
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A chocolate wafer snack with matcha for anyone who’d rather choose an individual snack than a mixed box of chocolates.
Check the best-before date and, if you have allergies, read the current information about wheat, milk and soya, as well as possible contact with egg, almond and sesame.
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A bag of milk chocolate sweets to share. If you want a set portion for a late-night snack, decide how many to take from the bag.
If you have allergies, check the label for milk and soya, and for the possible presence of peanuts.
Yes. In the Netherlands, allergens must be clearly listed on the label of pre-packed foods. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists 14 allergens. Read the information on the specific packaging, not just the front of the box.
You can’t tell from the word ‘assortment’. According to the product information, the merci Geschenkdoos we looked at contains hazelnut and almond and may contain peanuts. If you have an allergy, check the current packaging for the exact product you’ve chosen.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you’ve chosen. For the merci pack we looked at, the advice is to store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, heat sources and moisture.
‘Sugar-free’ doesn’t mean that chocolate contains no calories. The Voedingscentrum gives an average of 32 kcal for a 7 g square of sugar-free dark chocolate. Check the nutritional information for your brand and decide how much you’ll have.
