Larger families and regular visitors
Do you regularly use chocolate flakes on bread, yoghurt or porridge? If so, the pack size, number of servings and storage instructions after opening are all worth considering.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hosts organising coffee mornings and buffets
Individual portions can be handy when serving several guests. Makro lists De Ruijter milk chocolate flakes in 80 sachets of 15 g.
Shoppers checking ingredients and allergens
If someone has a known allergy or intolerance, it’s important to check the label for the exact flavour. The De Ruijter and PLUS dark chocolate varieties reviewed have different declarations for soya, milk and lactose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether guests will serve themselves from a pack or receive an individual portion. Then choose a flavour and read the label for that exact product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging and portion size | Compare the net weight with the number of guests. For its buffet pack, Makro lists 80 sachets of 15 g. | If I’m stocking up for a larger group, I want to choose between serving it myself and giving each guest a set portion. Around 42% of consumers prioritise packaging and portion size. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen declaration for your chosen variety; a vegan label doesn’t replace these checks. | If a guest has a known allergy, I want to know exactly what’s in that variety. Around 33% of consumers prioritise ingredients and allergens. |
| Flavour and serving | Choose from options such as dark or milk chocolate, and consider whether you’ll use the flakes as a bread topping or as a garnish. | When I serve bread or yoghurt with coffee, I want to choose a flavour that goes well with it. Around 25% of consumers prioritise flavour and presentation. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a 300 g pack is automatically suitable for a buffet
A standard retail pack lets you portion it yourself. By contrast, the buffet pack described by Makro contains individual 15 g sachets, changing how you serve each guest.
Decide in advance how many people you’re serving and whether they can help themselves from a pack.
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Assuming dark or vegan means allergen-free
The PLUS dark chocolate flakes reviewed are labelled vegan, but PLUS also states that they may contain milk and lactose. For De Ruijter Royaal dark, Jumbo lists soya and possible traces of milk.
Check the current label for each variety separately, and keep the product information available for guests who can’t see the pack themselves.
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Choosing portion sachets without considering how you’ll serve them
Individual sachets can be handy at a buffet, but they add little when a small group can easily help themselves.
Choose the packaging to suit the occasion, not just the total quantity.
Individual sachets mean more packaging per serving.
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Treating chocolate flakes as a complete afternoon snack
Chocolate flakes are a sweet topping for bread or other foods, not a complete meal on their own.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, and decide what else you’ll serve with coffee.
Brands compared
De Ruijter
Options include retail packs of chocolate flakes and a portion pack listed by Makro with 80 sachets of 15 g.
- The portion pack provides a set amount in each sachet, making it easy to serve several guests.
- Allergen declarations vary by flavour. For Royaal dark, Jumbo lists soya and possible traces of milk.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists own-brand chocolate flakes in 300 g packs, including dark, milk and duo mix.
- The listed flavours give you a choice within the same pack size.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific variety you plan to serve.
PLUS
PLUS lists 300 g packs of dark and milk chocolate flakes.
- PLUS labels the dark variety reviewed as vegan.
- According to the label, this dark variety may contain milk and lactose; the vegan label isn’t a substitute for checking allergens.
Kiekeboe
ALDI lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in milk or dark varieties, in 300 g packs.
- Both flavours are listed in the same pack size.
- Check the label for ingredients and allergens for your chosen variety.
Products for portioning yourself
These retail packs are suited to a coffee break where you’ll portion the product yourself. Alongside chocolate flakes, this selection includes chocolate sprinkles and De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks; check the product type if you’re specifically looking for flakes.
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g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smileys, 600 g
A pack for several servings when you want to portion it yourself. These are chocolate sprinkles, not chocolate flakes; check the ingredients and allergens before serving.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles, 390 g
For anyone who wants to serve dark chocolate sprinkles at a regular coffee break and portion them out themselves. The dark chocolate description doesn’t mean they’re suitable for someone with an allergy, so check the label.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks, 390 g
A 390 g pack for portioning yourself. Check how this product differs from chocolate flakes before choosing it for a particular way of serving.
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g'woon milk chocolate flakes, 300 g
A pack of chocolate flakes for a coffee break where you decide how much to serve each guest. Check the ingredients and allergens for this milk variety.
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De Ruijter milk chocolate flakes, 200 g
A smaller pack of chocolate flakes for a coffee break when you don’t need a larger pack. Before serving, read the ingredients and allergens on this packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 300 g pack suitable for a coffee morning with lots of guests?
It can be, if you want to portion it yourself and the quantity is right for the number of guests. If you’d like to give everyone an individual portion, Makro also lists a pack of De Ruijter milk chocolate flakes with 80 sachets of 15 g.
How should I store chocolate flakes after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve bought. The De Ruijter and PLUS product information reviewed recommends storing the product in a cool, dry place; De Ruijter also says to close the packaging carefully after use.
Can I serve vegan chocolate flakes to someone with a milk allergy?
Don’t rely on the vegan label alone: PLUS states that its dark variety reviewed may contain milk and lactose. If someone has an allergy, check the current ingredients and allergens on the exact pack you plan to serve.
How can I make sure guests can check the allergen information?
Keep the packaging and information for every variety you serve available, even if you’ve put the flakes into bowls beforehand. That way, guests can check the listed ingredients and allergens for the product in question.