For an informal coffee break, biscuits are a natural choice if you simply want something to serve with your coffee. Choose a box of chocolates if you want to offer a choice of flavours to share, or give a small thank-you gift. If you do, check the portions, packaging and allergens for the specific product.
If several people will be sharing, individual portions and a range of flavours make it easier for guests to choose for themselves. For example, Jumbo describes the 250 g merci Assorti box as containing twenty individually wrapped bars in eight varieties.
When choosing a gift, the packaging matters as well as what’s inside. A box of chocolates may therefore be a better fit than an ordinary packet of biscuits.
The product name alone isn’t enough to tell you what someone can eat, whether you’re choosing biscuits or a chocolate selection. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re actually serving.
First, decide whether you’re buying for an informal coffee break, to share or as a thank-you gift. Then check the portions and flavours. If anyone needs to avoid certain ingredients, the information on the current packaging takes priority.
Choose these if: you want an informal treat to serve with coffee or tea and aren’t looking for gift packaging.
A point to consider: Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit that goes well with coffee. That’s the brand’s positioning, not a comparison of its flavour with chocolate.
Choose this if: you want guests to be able to choose from different chocolate flavours, or you’d like to give the box as a gift.
A point to consider: a selection may contain several allergens. Check the box you’ve chosen before offering its contents.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing and choice of flavours | Check the number of individual portions and the flavours listed. More flavours also mean you’ll need to pay attention to the ingredients. | If everyone should be able to help themselves during the coffee break, I want to offer a choice without having to divide up a treat. For around 42% of consumers, being able to share easily while offering a choice of flavours comes first. |
| Gift or everyday treat | Check whether the packaging is designed for gifting and whether the contents suit the recipient or group. | For a thank-you gift, I want to hand over something that looks the part. Gift appeal is the first consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings on the current packaging. | If someone needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the specific product before serving it. For around 25% of consumers, checking this comes first. |
Different types of chocolate may contain different ingredients and allergens. The Lindor Assorted chocolates described by Albert Heijn list milk, soya, barley and hazelnut, among other allergens.
If you’re serving a mixed group, ask in advance what people need to avoid, then check the allergen information on the packaging you’ve chosen.
A box that looks lovely as a thank-you gift won’t necessarily have the portions or flavours you’re after for an everyday coffee break. Likewise, a packet of biscuits to have with coffee doesn’t need to be a gift.
First decide whether you’re looking for an informal treat, a box to share or a gift for one person.
Albert Heijn notes that ingredient, nutrition and allergy information may change when a product is updated.
Before serving, check the ingredients, allergens, any warnings and the best-before date on the packaging you receive.
These brands offer examples of biscuits and chocolate for coffee breaks, sharing and gifting. The features of a particular selection don’t necessarily apply to other products from the same brand.
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy, caramelised biscuit to enjoy with coffee.
Jumbo describes the 250 g merci Assorti box as a selection of eight types of chocolate, with twenty individually wrapped bars.
The Lindor Assorted selection described by Albert Heijn contains chocolates with milk, hazelnut, white and extra dark chocolate, and a smooth-melting filling.
The brand offers chocolate gift boxes and Tiny’s selections. According to Tony’s Chocolonely, its mission is to end exploitation in the cocoa supply chain.
This selection includes biscuits for an informal coffee break and boxes of chocolates to share or give as a small thank-you gift. Check each pack to make sure its contents and allergens are suitable for the people you’re buying for.
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A box of chocolates to consider if you’d like something to share or give as a thank-you gift.
Contents: 400 g. If you have allergies, check the current packaging before serving the chocolate.
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Chocolate biscuits for anyone who’d rather put biscuits out for a coffee break than serve a box of chocolates.
Contents: 150 g. Check the packaging if your guests need to avoid certain ingredients.
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A smaller box of chocolates to consider if you’re looking for a thank-you gift.
Contents: 125 g. Check the packaging for ingredients and allergens.
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Coffee biscuits for an informal occasion when you want something to serve with coffee or tea.
Contents: 250 g. Check the latest allergen information before offering them to guests.
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A biscuit for anyone who doesn’t need a box of chocolates for an informal coffee break.
Contents: 250 g. If you have allergies, check the label on the packaging you receive carefully.
Choose biscuits if you simply want an informal treat to serve with coffee. Choose a box of chocolates if a choice of flavours for sharing or gift packaging matters. Lotus Bakeries positions Biscoff as a biscuit to enjoy with coffee, while Jumbo describes the 250 g merci Assorti box as suitable for sharing or giving as a gift.
Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings on the packaging of the box you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority notes that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.
No. A range of flavours doesn’t mean that everyone can eat something from the box. For example, the Lindor Assorted selection described by Albert Heijn lists milk, soya, barley and hazelnut. Ask what your guests need to avoid, then check the packaging you’ve chosen.
