If you fancy a speculaas biscuit with a chocolate coating, choose a biscuit product such as Lotus Speculoos with chocolate; according to Lotus, this variety contains 22% chocolate. If you’re mainly after chocolate with a hint of speculaas, Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade is a better fit: Jumbo describes it as milk chocolate with 10% biscuit crumbs. For breakfast, also compare the portion size, nutritional values and allergens on the current packaging.
You want the biscuit, rather than the chocolate, to take centre stage. Check the product description: Lotus describes Speculoos with chocolate as a biscuit product, while Jumbo describes Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade as milk chocolate with biscuit crumbs.
You have something sweet alongside breakfast and want to compare sugars, energy and saturated fat per 100 g. Then consider how much you actually eat: a value per 100 g is not the same as a value per portion.
You’ll need the ingredient information for the exact variety. The product information for Lotus Speculoos with chocolate and Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade lists wheat, milk and soya, among other ingredients. Always check the current packaging.
First decide whether you want a biscuit or mainly chocolate. Then compare the nutritional information for the exact variety, and check the label if the ingredients are important to you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Biscuit or chocolate bar | Read the product description. Lotus states that Speculoos with chocolate contains 22% chocolate; according to Jumbo, Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade contains 10% biscuit crumbs. | I want a speculaas biscuit with chocolate for breakfast, not a chocolate bar with a hint of speculaas. The product format is the deciding factor for around 42% of consumers. |
| Portion and nutritional values | Compare sugars, energy and saturated fat per 100 g on the packaging, then decide how much you’ll have. | If I have something sweet with breakfast, I want to weigh up the portion against the rest of what I eat. This is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens on the current packaging. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the allergen information determines whether I can choose a product. This is the first concern for around 25% of consumers. |
The balance of biscuit and chocolate varies. Lotus describes Speculoos with chocolate as a biscuit product containing 22% chocolate; Jumbo describes Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade as milk chocolate with 10% biscuit crumbs.
Choose based on the product format you want, not just the words ‘chocolate’ and ‘speculaas’ in the name.
Chocolate speculaas alone doesn’t tell you what the rest of your breakfast consists of. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using foods from the Wheel of Five as the basis for breakfast.
Check the nutritional information per 100 g and the amount you eat, then consider the biscuit or bar as part of your whole breakfast.
A product name doesn’t give you a complete list of ingredients or warnings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains which allergens must be listed on the label of prepacked foods.
Read the current packaging for the exact variety, including the ingredients list and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens.
Albert Heijn listed Hellema Banket speculaas met chocolade as ‘in-store only’. So a product page doesn’t necessarily mean you can order the product online.
Check current ordering or in-store availability before basing your choice on this variety.
A good option if you’re specifically looking for a speculaas biscuit with chocolate. Lotus describes its Speculoos with chocolate as a biscuit product made with Belgian chocolate.
Albert Heijn listed Hellema Banket speculaas met chocolade in a 200 g pack.
A good option if you want chocolate to take centre stage: Jumbo describes Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade as milk chocolate with biscuit crumbs.
It’s best to enjoy chocolate speculaas as a sweet extra rather than as the basis for breakfast. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a breakfast that includes foods from the Wheel of Five. Also consider your portion and the other foods you eat.
Check which product format is emphasised in the description. Lotus states that Speculoos with chocolate is a biscuit product containing 22% chocolate; Jumbo describes Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade as milk chocolate with 10% biscuit crumbs.
Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact variety you’re buying. The product information for the Lotus and Verkade varieties mentioned includes wheat, milk and soya, among other ingredients. Also look out for any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be listed on the label of prepacked foods.
Store Verkade Speculaas Melkchocolade according to the instructions for the exact variety. Jumbo advises keeping it ‘cool, dry and dark’; also check the use-by date on the packaging.
