If you want something ready to serve
A box of chocolates, pralines or other shareable chocolate needs no preparation. Jumbo and PLUS offer separate ranges of chocolates for this purpose.
Which option is right for you?
If you want to make a themed treat
Aniseed sprinkles are a decorative option for occasions such as a new-baby celebration or baby shower. Jumbo shows how to use them on sponge fingers, which means you’ll need to put the treat together yourself.
If you’re buying for guests with food allergies
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the product you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels, but the information on the specific product you buy is what matters.
What should you look for when choosing?
Chocolate that’s ready to serve
Choose this if: you want something to share with coffee without having to prepare it. Jumbo and PLUS offer chocolates, pralines and chocolate gifts for this purpose.
Bear in mind: contents and ingredients vary by pack, so choose a specific assortment to suit your guests.
Aniseed sprinkles for decorating
Choose this if: the festive theme matters and you want to finish a treat yourself. Jumbo, for example, uses aniseed sprinkles on sponge fingers.
Bear in mind: aniseed sprinkles aren’t a ready-made box of chocolates; you’ll also need a base to serve them on and time to prepare it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to share | Check whether the pack actually contains individual pieces of chocolate to share, and what type of chocolate it includes. | If I don’t want to prepare anything, I look for something I can serve with coffee straight away. Around 40% of consumers prioritise being able to share something immediately. |
| Festive decoration | First choose what you want to decorate, such as sponge fingers, then decide which aniseed sprinkles you’ll need. | For a festive coffee get-together, I’d rather make something with aniseed sprinkles myself than open a box. This decorative touch is a priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about cross-contamination on the packaging of the product you choose. | When I’m buying for guests with a food allergy, I need to know what’s in the product. Ingredients and allergens are the main concern for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Buying aniseed sprinkles when you want something ready to serve
Jumbo lists aniseed sprinkles with sweet bread toppings and chocolates with its chocolate products. A pack of aniseed sprinkles on its own won’t give you the same ready-to-serve treat as a box of chocolates.
Decide in advance whether you want to serve something straight away or decorate it yourself. If you choose the latter, pick a suitable base too and allow time to prepare it.
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Assuming a mixed chocolate assortment will suit every guest
Ingredients and allergens vary between products. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, you should check the assortment as a whole.
Ask which ingredients matter to your guests and read the allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re actually buying.
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Relying on a specific in-store or promotional item
ALDI warns that promotional items can sell out quickly, while Lidl says one of its praline products is available in store only.
Check availability before planning your treat around a specific item, and think of an alternative if necessary.
Otherwise, you may need to make an extra trip to the shops.
Brands and shops to explore
De Ruijter
Jumbo and Albert Heijn list De Ruijter aniseed sprinkles as a sweet bread topping.
- An option if you’re looking for aniseed sprinkles to decorate a treat.
- You’ll also need a suitable base to make a coffee-time treat to share.
Jumbo
Jumbo has separate ranges for aniseed sprinkles and chocolate, including chocolates and chocolate gifts.
- The separate ranges make it easy to distinguish between decorating and serving straight away.
- Check the contents and ingredients of the item you choose.
PLUS
PLUS offers pralines, chocolates and chocolate assortments for a no-preparation option.
- You can search specifically for chocolate to share.
- PLUS says product information can change, so check the packaging.
ALDI
ALDI offers a range of chocolate products, including items similar to chocolates.
- There are different types of chocolate to consider individually.
- For promotional items, it’s a good idea to check availability in store.
Lidl
Lidl offers a praline selection and chocolate bars, among other products.
- The praline selection is a good fit if you’re looking for chocolate to share.
- The praline product described is available in store; check whether it’s stocked locally.
Chocolate to share with coffee
These Joybuy products are a good fit if you’re looking for chocolate you can serve without any preparation. The collection and the sharing bag are different types of product; the sharing bag isn’t a box of chocolates.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate collection for anyone looking for something to serve with coffee without any preparation. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before serving.
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M&M's Minis Milk Chocolate More To Share, 176 g sharing bag
A sharing bag of milk chocolate for a relaxed coffee break, rather than a box of chocolates or pralines. If anyone has allergies, check the packaging before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Can I serve aniseed sprinkles instead of a box of chocolates?
Not if you want to serve a similar treat without any preparation. Jumbo lists aniseed sprinkles as a sweet bread topping, so use them to decorate a base you choose separately.
How do I check allergens when buying for guests?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of every product you plan to serve. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels. If relevant to a guest, also look for any warnings about cross-contamination.
When should I prepare a treat with aniseed sprinkles?
Don’t decorate the sponge fingers with aniseed sprinkles too far in advance. That’s the guidance in Jumbo’s recipe, so plan to decorate them shortly before serving with coffee.