Hosts filling a biscuit tin
You want enough chocolate digestives to share with several guests, so you compare the pack weight and, where stated, the number of servings.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Anyone catering for different tastes
You can choose between milk and dark chocolate, or put out both options if your guests have different preferences.
Anyone checking labels for guests
If a guest needs to avoid certain allergens or eats a gluten-free diet, check the ingredients and allergens on every pack you serve. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on labels.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide how many biscuits you want to put out, choose your chocolate flavour, then read the labels of the options you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity to share | Compare the pack weight and stated number of servings with the number of guests. | If I’m filling a plate for several guests, I want enough biscuits without having lots left over. For around 36% of consumers, quantity comes first. |
| Milk or dark chocolate | Check which type of chocolate is listed for the exact product. | If guests have different tastes, I want to decide whether one type is enough or whether to put out both. Flavour is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens and gluten-free options | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statements on the current label. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know whether this particular pack is suitable. For around 21% of consumers, this check is the top priority. |
| Storage after opening | Check the best-before date and make sure you can seal the pack properly afterwards. | If I shop in advance or have biscuits left over, I want to avoid leaving an open pack out for too long. Storage is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a plain digestive for a chocolate digestive
A plain digestive won’t fill the same spot on your biscuit plate if you’re specifically looking for a biscuit covered in chocolate. ALDI doesn’t describe its Biscotto Digestive Biscuits as chocolate digestives.
Check the product name and description before comparing pack sizes.
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Stopping at ‘gluten-free’ without reading further
According to Jumbo, its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Digestives Melkchocolade contain milk, oats and soya, and may contain nuts. So gluten-free doesn’t tell you whether the product is suitable for other allergies.
If a guest has a relevant allergy, read the label on the pack you’re actually serving.
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Opening a large pack well before the party
Biscuits left out in an open pack can lose their quality. This is worth bearing in mind if you expect to have some left after the party.
It’s best to open the pack when you’re ready to put the biscuits out. Store any leftovers somewhere cool, dry and dark, and seal them well, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
Brands to consider
Verkade
Verkade has a range of biscuits and cookies worth exploring if you’re considering options for your plate beyond digestives.
- The range includes different types of biscuits to compare.
- Check whether your chosen product contains chocolate and which allergens are listed on the label.
McVitie's
The McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate product reviewed is made with wheat biscuits topped with a layer of milk chocolate and comes in a 266 g pack.
- A specific option if you’re looking for this brand’s milk chocolate variety.
- The variety reviewed contains milk, soya and wheat, among other ingredients; check the full allergen information on the current pack.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive dark chocolate in a 400 g pack.
- The listed pack size helps you work out how much you’ll need for a group of guests.
- Albert Heijn lists this particular variety as discontinued. Check the label of any alternative you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes chocolate digestives with milk chocolate and with dark chocolate, both in 300 g packs.
- The same pack size makes it easier to compare the two chocolate flavours for your plate.
- The varieties reviewed contain gluten, milk, soya and wheat, among other ingredients; check the other allergen information for each variety too.
Sondey
Lidl lists Sondey dark chocolate digestives in a 300 g pack.
- An option to consider if you specifically want dark chocolate on your plate.
- Lidl says this product is only available in store, so check before you visit that you can get the variety you want.
Biscotto
ALDI lists Biscotto Digestive Biscuits in a 300 g pack.
- A plain digestive to consider if you’d also like to serve biscuits without a listed chocolate coating.
- The digestive shown isn’t described as a chocolate digestive, so don’t treat it as the same product variety.
Chocolate digestives at Joybuy
These two packs of McVitie's Digestives give you a choice of milk or dark chocolate for a plate to share. Choose the quantity to suit your guests and, if anyone has allergies, check the label on the variety you pick.
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McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate, 266 g
For a biscuit plate if you’d like to serve milk chocolate. The pack contains 266 g; work out how many packs you’ll need for your guests, and check the current label if anyone has allergies.
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McVitie's Digestives Dark Chocolate, 266 g
For a biscuit plate if you’d like to serve dark chocolate. The pack contains 266 g; check how much you’ll need and, if anyone has allergies, read the information on the current pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is the front of the pack enough to check for allergens?
No. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’re serving, including any ‘may contain’ statements. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
Are gluten-free chocolate digestives also free from milk, soya and nuts?
Not necessarily. According to Jumbo, Lekker Vrij van Gluten Digestives Melkchocolade contain milk, oats and soya, and may contain nuts. Check for all the allergens that are relevant to your guests.
Does ‘Digestive’ mean the biscuit helps with digestion?
No, the name alone doesn’t indicate that it has this effect. Jumbo says that the ingredients in the biscuit of McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate don’t contain substances that aid digestion.
How should I store chocolate digestives left over after the party?
Store the biscuits somewhere cool, dry and dark, and seal them well. Follow the storage advice on the pack too; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that biscuits may become less tasty if stored for a long time.