The match-night shopper
You want to estimate in advance how many chocolate flakes your group will get through. Check the net weight and choose a pack you can finish after the match, too.
Who are these choices relevant to?
The dark chocolate fan
You deliberately choose a dark variety or check the stated cocoa content. That percentage applies to a specific pack and, on its own, doesn’t tell you how all the varieties taste.
The one who checks the label for everyone
If you’re sharing food with guests who have allergies or specific dietary requirements, check the ingredients, allergen information and warnings on the current pack for each variety you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how many people will be eating and which flavours they prefer. Then check the pack size and, where necessary, the label for each product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Compare the net weight of the same type of product and think about how much you’ll use after match night. | When several of us are eating together, I want to have enough without choosing a pack that ends up sitting in the cupboard. Around 42% of consumers prioritise choosing an appropriate quantity. |
| Dark flavour | For the specific dark variety, check the stated cocoa content and the nutritional information per 100 g. | I’m mainly looking for a dark variety and want to know what the pack says about cocoa. For around 25% of consumers, this flavour choice matters most. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings about possible traces. | If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, the current label takes priority over flavour preferences. Around 17% of consumers put this check first. |
| Different flavours | Check which milk, dark or mixed variety you’re actually choosing, and read the label on each pack separately. | If not everyone wants the same flakes, I’d rather put a selection of flavours on the table. For around 16% of consumers, catering to different tastes is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming dark chocolate is automatically dairy-free
A dark product name doesn’t rule out allergens or a warning about possible traces. For example, Jumbo’s listing for De Ruijter Vlokken Puur names soya and includes a warning about milk.
If allergens matter to any of your guests, check the current ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen.
-
Treating the cocoa content as a measure of nutritional value
Jumbo states that De Ruijter Royaal contains at least 40% cocoa solids. This figure describes one feature of that variety, not its overall nutritional value.
If you’re comparing varieties, check the nutritional information per 100 g as well as the cocoa content.
-
Treating chocolate flakes as a frozen product
The chocolate flakes in this comparison are long-life bread toppings, not frozen products. Storage instructions depend on the specific variety.
Read the storage advice on the pack and check before match night whether the flavour you want is available from the shop or delivery service you use.
If you leave it until the last minute to look for a particular flavour, you may need to visit another shop.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack, as listed on its product page.
- A familiar own-brand option if you already shop at Albert Heijn.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, especially if you’re buying for other people.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range includes own-brand chocolate flakes, including a 300 g dark variety.
- The range includes several flavours, such as dark, milk and a duo mix.
- A mix and a dark variety aren’t the same product, so compare their labels separately.
PLUS
PLUS lists own-brand chocolate flakes in dark and milk varieties, both in 300 g packs.
- The dark variety’s product name mentions Fairtrade; the milk variety’s ingredients list includes whole milk powder.
- The dark and milk varieties have different ingredients. Check each pack to make sure it’s suitable for everyone eating with you.
Kiekeboe
ALDI Netherlands lists Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack, available in milk or dark varieties.
- ALDI Netherlands lists Rainforest Alliance certification on the product page.
- The page directs you to an ALDI shop, so check where you can buy the variety you want.
De Ruijter
De Ruijter makes several types of dark chocolate flakes; Royaal and the standard dark variety are separate products.
- Jumbo states that De Ruijter Royaal, in a 240 g pack, contains at least 40% cocoa solids.
- According to Jumbo’s listing, standard De Ruijter Vlokken Puur contains soya and may contain milk. Don’t assume the same information applies to Royaal without checking.
Chocolate flakes and similar spreads at Joybuy
These products offer a choice of chocolate flakes and chocolate sprinkles for a match-night get-together. Chocolate sprinkles are a different type of bread topping from flakes, so compare the product type first, then the flavour and pack size.
No image available
g'woon milk chocolate flakes 300 g
For a group who want milk chocolate flakes on their bread. A 300 g pack lets you work out how many packs you’ll need for your plans.
If relevant to your guests, check the current label for allergens, including milk and wheat.
No image available
De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
For anyone who wants to serve a different kind of flake at match night. The pack contains 200 g; check the flavour description if you’re comparing it with a dark or milk variety.
Check the current label for allergens, including wheat, soya and any mention of milk.
No image available
Sprinkles Choca Flakes 200 g
A flake option for anyone looking for a 200 g pack to share. Check the ingredients if you want to compare the flavour with other chocolate flakes.
Check the current label for allergens, including wheat, soya and any mention of milk.
No image available
g'woon milk chocolate sprinkles with smileys 600 g
For anyone who’d rather serve milk chocolate sprinkles than flakes at match night. The 600 g pack features smiley shapes.
If relevant to your guests, check the current label for allergens, including milk and wheat.
No image available
De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
For anyone who prefers dark chocolate sprinkles to chocolate flakes. The pack contains 390 g; compare the ingredients with those of any other bread toppings you’re serving.
If someone has an allergy, don’t rely on the word ‘dark’: check the current label, including its information about milk and soya.
Frequently asked questions
Are chocolate flakes a frozen product?
No, the chocolate flakes discussed here are long-life bread toppings. Check the storage instructions for the specific pack rather than assuming they need to be kept frozen.
How do I compare flakes in different pack sizes?
Start with the net weight and compare products of the same type and flavour. A pack that suits the number of people eating is also more practical if you want to use up the rest after match night.
Is the front of the pack enough to check for a milk or soya allergy?
No, read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings about possible traces. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods; the word ‘dark’ is no substitute for checking.
What information helps me compare nutritional value?
Check the nutritional information per 100 g on the packs you’re considering, including sugars and fats. A stated cocoa content doesn’t tell you the full nutritional value of chocolate flakes.