People shopping for several guests
You want to know which pack size suits the number of rusks you’re serving and whether you’ll use any leftovers later.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fans of the classic Dutch birth celebration treat
You want to serve the familiar rusk with aniseed sprinkles. According to Stichting Ambachtelijke Bakkerij, aniseed sprinkles are part of this traditional Dutch birth treat; chocolate flakes are a different topping.
People with dietary or allergen requirements
For the product you choose, you need to read the ingredients and allergen warnings rather than relying on the flavour name or a label for another product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want aniseed sprinkles for the traditional treat, flakes as an extra flavour option, or both. Then compare only packs of the product type you actually want to serve.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare the weight in grams and consider whether you’ll use an opened pack later. | I’m serving several rusks and want to choose an amount I can use up. An estimated 45% of consumers consider a suitable pack size the most important factor. |
| Treat and flavour | Choose aniseed sprinkles for traditional rusks with aniseed sprinkles; decide whether you’d also like to offer milk, dark or other chocolate flakes. | I want the treat to remain recognisable, even if I’m considering a chocolate flavour. An estimated 36% of consumers say this is their main consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen warning on the current pack of the exact product you’re considering. | If someone needs to avoid an ingredient, I don’t want to rely on a flavour name or dietary label alone. An estimated 19% of consumers put suitability for that person first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming flakes are the same product as aniseed sprinkles
Chocolate flakes offer a different flavour. According to Stichting Ambachtelijke Bakkerij, aniseed sprinkles are what make the traditional Dutch birth celebration treat distinctive.
Decide first whether you’re serving the traditional rusk with aniseed sprinkles, and only add flakes as a separate option.
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Taking a dietary label as a guarantee for allergy sufferers
PLUS labels its dark chocolate flakes as vegan, but also states that they may contain milk and lactose. The vegan label doesn’t remove that warning.
If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and warnings on the current pack of the exact product.
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Treating different product types as the same
Jumbo describes Choca Vlokken as cocoa-flavoured fantasy flakes containing ingredients such as wheat starch and soya. They aren’t necessarily the same product type as chocolate flakes with a stated cocoa specification.
Read the product description and ingredients before assuming that different products are interchangeable.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers chocolate flakes in several flavours and product variations, including Royaal.
- According to the product information on Jumbo’s website, De Ruijter Vlokken Royaal contains at least 40% cocoa solids.
- That cocoa specification alone doesn’t tell you which flavour your guests will prefer.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers own-brand chocolate flakes in milk, dark and duo varieties.
- The milk and dark varieties mentioned come in 300 g packs.
- Check the flavour and ingredients for the product you choose; the duo variety isn’t the same as milk or dark chocolate on its own.
PLUS
PLUS offers, among other products, 300 g packs of dark chocolate flakes made with Fairtrade cocoa, according to its product page.
- PLUS labels its dark variety as vegan.
- PLUS warns that the same product may contain milk and lactose; if you have a milk allergy, assess this separately.
Kiekeboe
Kiekeboe is the brand name ALDI uses for its 300 g packs of milk or dark chocolate flakes.
- ALDI lists Rainforest Alliance certification for this product.
- Check which variety is available in store and read the label on that product.
Choca
Jumbo describes Choca Vlokken as cocoa-flavoured fantasy flakes, a different product description from chocolate flakes.
- The product information lists ingredients such as wheat starch and soya, which you can take into account when comparing products.
- Don’t automatically treat this variety as an equivalent substitute for dark chocolate flakes.
Products for this treat
These products include aniseed sprinkles for traditional rusks, as well as chocolate toppings for a separate flavour option. Pay attention to the product type: chocolate sprinkles and flakes aren’t the same thing.
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g'woon milk chocolate flakes 300 g
A milk chocolate option to serve separately from aniseed sprinkles.
Pack size: 300 g. If you have allergen requirements, check the ingredients and warnings on the pack.
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De Ruijter pink aniseed sprinkles 330 g
Aniseed sprinkles are the traditional topping for rusks; these aren’t chocolate flakes.
Pack size: 330 g. If you have dietary or allergen requirements, read the label on the pack.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
A dark chocolate topping to offer alongside traditional aniseed sprinkles. If you’re specifically looking for flakes, check the product description on the pack: chocolate sprinkles and flakes are different product types.
Pack size: 390 g. If you have allergen requirements, read the current label.
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De Ruijter milk chocolate flakes 200 g
A milk chocolate option if you’d like to serve flakes as well as aniseed sprinkles.
Pack size: 200 g. Check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the pack you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need chocolate flakes for rusks with aniseed sprinkles?
No. Aniseed sprinkles are the defining topping for traditional rusks with aniseed sprinkles. You can offer chocolate flakes if you’d like to provide a different flavour option.
Is a vegan label enough if someone has a milk allergy?
No. Check the allergen information on the exact pack too. PLUS labels its dark chocolate flakes as vegan, but states that they may contain milk and lactose.
How should I store chocolate flakes for a treat?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy. The product information used for these PLUS and De Ruijter varieties recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place and closing the pack securely after use.