Who is this for?

If you specifically want a chocolate coating

You want to serve chocolate-coated taaitaai, not just plain taaitaai. An explicit mention of milk chocolate matters more to you than the size of the pack.

If you’re putting together a Christmas table for a group

You’re thinking about the quantity and how it will look alongside the other snacks. Taaitaai is also sold for the Sinterklaas season, so it’s worth checking the shapes and packaging before putting it on the table.

If you need to consider food allergies

Before buying or serving it to guests, you’ll need up-to-date allergen information for the product you’ve chosen. You can’t assume the information for plain taaitaai applies to a different version.

What should you look for when buying?

First, decide whether a chocolate coating is essential. Then check that the quantity and presentation suit your Christmas party, and always check the label on the chosen pack if any guests have allergies.

What to considerWhat to checkWho it matters to
Chocolate coating Check whether the current packaging describes your chosen version as taaitaai with the type of chocolate you want. If I want to serve chocolate-coated taaitaai, plain taaitaai isn’t an equivalent choice. Around 42% of consumers would therefore make the coating their top priority.
Quantity and presentation Check the pack size, the number of pieces if stated, and the shapes or packaging. When I’m catering for a group, I want to put out enough without a prominent Sinterklaas theme taking over my Christmas table. Around 33% of consumers would put quantity and presentation first.
Allergen information Read the allergen information on every current pack, including if you’re choosing a different version of the same type of biscuit. If a guest has a food allergy, I want to be able to assess the product I’ve chosen using its label. For around 25% of consumers, this check would be their top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking plain taaitaai for a chocolate version

    Jumbo explicitly mentions milk chocolate for its product; the listed products from AH, PLUS, ALDI and Dirk don’t confirm this. The word taaitaai in a product name alone doesn’t mean you’ll get the coating you want.

    If chocolate is essential, check the exact version on the packaging.

  • Leaving it until serving time to check the seasonal design

    Albert Heijn describes AH Taai taai as featuring Piet figures; PLUS and ALDI also list taaitaai as part of their Sinterklaas ranges. This may not suit the look you want for a Christmas table.

    Check the shapes and packaging in advance. If you’re mainly interested in the biscuits themselves, you can serve them on a neutral plate outside their original packaging.

  • Assuming allergen information applies to another version

    The listed plain taaitaai from Albert Heijn and PLUS contains milk and cereals containing gluten. This doesn’t tell you which allergens are listed on the label for Jumbo’s milk chocolate version.

    If food allergies are relevant, read the current label on every pack you plan to buy or serve.

Brands to consider

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Taai Taai Melkchocolade 250g as a separate product.

  • The product name mentions both taaitaai and milk chocolate, and gives a pack size of 250 g.
  • For your Christmas party, check the current allergen information, design and availability.

Albert Heijn

AH Taai taai is listed as a 500 g pack of plain taaitaai.

  • Albert Heijn provides ingredients and allergen information for this product.
  • The description mentions Piet figures; check the exact version if a chocolate coating or Christmas design matters to you.

PLUS

PLUS lists Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken, a 250 g pack, as part of its Sinterklaas range.

  • The product information includes ingredients and allergen details.
  • The product name doesn’t confirm a chocolate coating; also check whether the presentation suits your Christmas table.

ALDI

ALDI lists 500 g of taai-taai with aniseed flavour, in assorted shapes.

  • The stated pack size gives you a useful guide when planning how much to buy for a group.
  • The product is part of a Sinterklaas range; check the design and exact version if you’re looking for chocolate.

Dirk

Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai in a 500 g pack.

  • The mini size could suit a table where you want to serve smaller biscuits.
  • Check the packaging to see whether your chosen version has a chocolate coating and which allergens are listed.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is plain taaitaai an alternative to chocolate-coated taaitaai?

Only if a chocolate coating isn’t essential for your Christmas party. Don’t use plain taaitaai as an alternative for guests with food allergies without checking the label: the listed products from Albert Heijn and PLUS contain, among other things, milk and cereals containing gluten.

Where can I find allergen information for pre-packed taaitaai?

Check the label on the pack you’re planning to buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for pre-packed foods must be shown on the label and made available before purchase.