Vendors who add flakes just before serving
If chocolate flakes are the dry finishing touch to a dish, you’ll need a sealable serving solution that protects your stock from moisture and dirt. Test in advance how many flakes you use per portion.
Who is this relevant to?
Stallholders serving both sauce and flakes
A squeeze bottle can help you portion a separate, smooth sauce. The dry flakes will also need their own packaging or serving container.
Buyers who need to provide allergen information
If you serve toppings unpackaged, you need to be able to inform visitors about allergens. Check the current packaging for each option you choose, not just the brand name or the description on the front.
What should you consider when choosing?
Serve dry flakes separately
When: Choose a dry serving option if you add the flakes just before serving.
Trade-off: As well as any sauce bottle, you’ll need a sealable place for the flakes.
Squeeze bottle for a separate sauce
When: A 250 ml bottle is an option if you want to portion a small quantity of smooth liquid sauce.
Trade-off: During continuous service, you’ll need to replace or refill a small bottle more often. Check whether the chosen cap can be reopened.
Before your festival, decide how you’ll serve the dry flakes. Then consider a squeeze bottle only for any liquid element.
| Consideration | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving method | Test the portion size and closure of the dry serving container. Use a squeeze bottle only for a separate, smooth liquid. | I want to add flakes without using a sauce bottle as an untested dispenser for them. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this dry serving method. |
| Hygiene and allergens | Check that you can keep the equipment clean and protect open toppings from dirt. Read the current allergen information for each option. | When serving unpackaged toppings, I want to give visitors accurate information and keep my topping protected; around 33% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Option and quantity | Compare the product type, ingredients and net weight of the exact packaging with your menu and planned working stock. | When choosing a topping for my menu, I want to know what type of flakes I’m using and how much I’ll open at a time. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this product choice. |
Common serving mistakes
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Using a bottle for ‘toppings’ for dry flakes too
The squeeze bottles described are intended for liquids. Van Beekum Specerijen also states that a smooth liquid is easier to dispense than a sauce containing large pieces; this doesn’t demonstrate that the bottles can dispense dry flakes.
Use the bottle for a separate, smooth sauce, and test your dry serving method before the festival for portion size, spills and closure.
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Choosing a cap that isn’t suitable for refilling
If the bottle has a cap that clicks permanently into place, you can’t reopen it without damaging it. That’s impractical if you want to refill it during service.
Before buying, check whether the chosen bottle’s closure can be reopened and whether you can clean the bottle and cap as required by your working practices.
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Assuming ‘pure’ or ‘vegan’ means allergen-free
The flakes reviewed have different allergen information. For example, according to PLUS product information, its own-brand dark option labelled vegan may contain milk and lactose.
Read the physical label on the exact option, and keep current allergen information available when serving flakes unpackaged.
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Leaving your working stock open
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing chocolate flakes in a dry place and closing the packaging securely. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires food sold at events to be prepared and stored safely and hygienically.
Protect the topping from dirt and moisture during service, and reseal the remaining stock after use.
Brands and product ranges to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers products including milk chocolate flakes and the Royaal option, with pack sizes that vary by product.
- For the Royaal option reviewed, Jumbo lists a 300 g pack.
- According to Jumbo, that Royaal option contains soya and may contain milk. For the 200 g milk option reviewed, PLUS lists milk, lactose and soya. Don’t apply this information to other options.
PLUS
PLUS lists a 300 g own-brand dark chocolate flakes option, alongside other flake products.
- PLUS describes the own-brand option reviewed as vegan and states that it contains Fairtrade Cocoa.
- According to PLUS, the option reviewed may contain milk and lactose. Check the pack label before use.
Kiekeboe
ALDI Netherlands lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in a 300 g milk or dark option.
- The milk or dark description makes it easy to search for the option you have in mind.
- Before serving unpackaged, read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ve actually chosen.
Choca
The 200 g Choca pack described by PLUS contains cocoa-flavoured fantasy flakes. This is a different product type from chocolate flakes.
- This is a separate option if cocoa-flavoured fantasy flakes suit your menu.
- For this option, PLUS lists wheat, cereals containing gluten and soya; it may contain milk. Check the current label.
Flakes for a separate, dry serving option
These are dry toppings to serve separately from any squeeze bottle. Compare the product type and pack size, test your portion in advance, and check the allergens on the physical packaging if serving unpackaged.
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Venz milk chocolate flakes – 400 g
For a dry finishing touch, served separately from a sauce bottle.
Milk chocolate flakes; net weight 400 g. Check the allergens on the physical packaging before serving unpackaged.
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g'woon milk chocolate flakes – 300 g
For anyone looking to use milk chocolate flakes as a separate dry topping.
Net weight 300 g. Read the current allergen information on the packaging before serving the product unpackaged.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast – 200 g
For a dry topping when a mix of chocolate and vanilla flakes suits your menu.
Net weight 200 g. Before serving unpackaged, check the allergens for this exact option on the packaging.
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Sprinkles Choca Flakes – 200 g
For a dry finish when cocoa-flavoured fantasy flakes, rather than regular chocolate flakes, suit your menu.
Net weight 200 g. Check the product type and current allergen information on the physical packaging.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure – 390 g
For anyone looking for a dark chocolate option as a separate dry sprinkling topping.
Net weight 390 g. The description ‘dark’ doesn’t in itself tell you whether the product may contain milk; check the label on this pack.
Frequently asked questions
Can I serve dry chocolate flakes from a squeeze bottle?
Don’t assume that a squeeze bottle for sauce can also dispense dry chocolate flakes. The bottles described are intended for liquids. Use one for a separate, smooth sauce, and test a dry serving method for the flakes in your own set-up.
What allergen information do I need for unpackaged flakes?
Tell visitors about the allergens in the flakes you serve unpackaged. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority refers to this requirement for sales at markets and events. Use the current information for the exact product packaging, as options can differ.
What should I consider at a temporary festival stall?
Keep anything that comes into contact with food clean, and protect open toppings from contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority emphasises safe, hygienic food preparation, sales and storage at markets and events.
How should I store chocolate flakes during service?
Store chocolate flakes in a dry place and seal the packaging securely after use, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Protect your stock from dirt during service and follow the storage advice on the pack you’ve chosen.