If each Advent calendar compartment needs to hold a chocolate treat you can enjoy on its own, mini bars are a better choice than ordinary chocolate flakes: Jumbo presents flakes as a bread topping, while PLUS describes mini mixes containing small bars. Flakes are more suitable if you want chocolate to sprinkle on something, such as bread. For mini bars, check their size, the number of pieces, whether they are individually wrapped and the allergens listed on the current packaging.
If you want to fill each compartment with something that can be eaten straight away as an individual snack, look at mini bars and check their dimensions. Jumbo sells flakes as a bread topping; a box of flakes is not the same as a selection of solid bars.
A mix of different mini bars can add variety. PLUS describes Mars Minimix as a combination that includes Snickers, Mars, Bounty, Twix and Milky Way. Be sure to read the ingredients and allergen information for the whole mix before filling the compartments.
If you’re mainly looking for chocolate to put on bread, a box of flakes is suited to that use. Jumbo describes Choca Vlokken Mix as a product for putting on bread; an individual calendar bar is a different purchase.
First decide whether the compartment needs to contain a snack you can eat straight away, or whether you’re looking for flakes to use later. Then check the product information that matters most to your choice.
Choose these: if you want to put one chocolate treat in each compartment that can be eaten straight away.
Bear in mind: a mix may contain different ingredients; and without checking the packaging, you can’t assume that a mini bar is individually wrapped or will fit in your compartments.
Choose these: if you want chocolate to sprinkle on something, such as bread, rather than putting an individual snack in the compartment.
Bear in mind: loose flakes from a box aren’t a solid, individually wrapped bar.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Size for each compartment | Check the number of pieces, the dimensions of each bar and whether each piece is individually wrapped. | If I want to fill each compartment with one treat that can be eaten straight away, the bar needs to fit. For around 50% of consumers, a suitable size for an individual treat is the priority. |
| Variety of flavours | Check which varieties are included in the mix and read the ingredients and allergen information for the whole pack. | If you want a different flavour every day, you’ll also need to consider the different ingredients. For around 33% of consumers, variety is the deciding factor. |
| Using it as a bread topping | Distinguish between loose flakes for sprinkling and bars to eat straight away. | If I mainly use chocolate on bread, I’m looking for flakes rather than a calendar bar. For around 17% of consumers, using it as a bread topping is the priority. |
Flakes are loose pieces of chocolate intended for use as a bread topping. A box sold by weight doesn’t tell you how many individual treats you’ll have for your calendar compartments.
If you’re looking for one snack per compartment, check the number of mini bars, whether they’re individually wrapped and their dimensions. Choose flakes if you’re after a product to sprinkle.
The bars in a mix may contain a range of ingredients. PLUS lists milk, egg, peanuts, gluten and soya among the allergens in Mars Minimix, and says the mix may contain nuts.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for the whole mix, not just for one familiar bar.
A product name or image doesn’t confirm that each bar is individually wrapped, fits in your calendar compartments or will be available when you order.
Before buying, check the current product page and packaging, and compare the dimensions with those of your calendar.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for chocolate flakes to use as a bread topping.
Venz makes mixed-flavour flakes for use as a bread topping.
A flake option if you want to use chocolate on bread.
The own-label range includes flakes in several chocolate flavours.
A brand to consider if you’re specifically looking for small chocolate bars.
Not if you mean one solid bar per compartment that can be eaten straight away. Jumbo categorises flakes as a bread topping and describes Choca Vlokken Mix as a product for putting on bread. If you want an individual snack, check the number of mini bars, their dimensions and whether they’re individually wrapped.
Yes. If the calendar is for someone with an allergy, read the allergen information on the full, current packaging. Different bars in a mix may contain different ingredients; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on food labels.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen. Jumbo says to store Choca Vlokken Mix in a cool, dry place; for other chocolate, check the label rather than assuming the same instructions apply.
For young children, first check the warnings and usage information for the specific product. PLUS warns that children under 4 years old may choke on small confectionery, as their ability to chew is limited, when describing Nestlé Mini Mix.
