If you want to serve crushed aniseed sprinkles dry at Easter, don’t automatically reach for a squeeze bottle. De Ruijter describes them as crushed, sugared aniseed seeds, while HENDI and OXO describe the squeeze bottles we looked at as being for liquids. A shaker or another controlled way of sprinkling them dry is a more suitable choice, provided you test the opening first. Use a squeeze bottle only for a separate liquid topping.
You want to sprinkle crushed aniseed sprinkles over cupcakes or cakes without mixing them with a liquid. In that case, control over the shaker opening matters more than the capacity of a squeeze bottle.
You’re serving the sprinkles on bread or rusks, or with yoghurt, and want guests to be able to add the dry topping themselves without making too much mess.
You want to serve a sauce or dressing alongside the dry sprinkles. A squeeze bottle can hold that separate liquid, but that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for the sprinkles themselves.
First decide whether you want to sprinkle the aniseed sprinkles dry or also serve a liquid topping. Bottle capacity only matters for the second option.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Serving them dry | Check that the shaker opening is suitable for the granules, and try it over a bowl first. De Ruijter describes its crushed aniseed sprinkles as dry, crushed aniseed seeds with sugar. | If I want to sprinkle them directly over rusks or Easter bakes, I want to control the amount without adding a liquid. For around 40% of consumers, being able to sprinkle them dry and accurately is the top priority. |
| Liquid topping | Choose a capacity to suit the amount of sauce or dressing. HENDI lists bottles in 0.2, 0.35 and 0.7-litre sizes; OXO offers different nozzles for oil and thicker sauces or dressings. | When decorating desserts, I want to dispense a separate liquid topping precisely without leaving too much in the bottle. Choosing a suitable bottle for that topping is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Food contact and allergens | Choose a dispenser intended for food contact and follow the cleaning instructions. Check the current packaging of De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes: Jumbo lists wheat as an ingredient. | When several guests are sharing a table, I want to check the packaging and serving method before putting out the topping. For around 20% of consumers, food contact, cleaning and allergens are the most important considerations. |
HENDI and OXO describe the squeeze bottles we looked at as being for sauces, dressings and oil, among other liquids. That doesn’t mean dry crushed aniseed sprinkles will flow through them evenly.
Choose a dry serving method for the sprinkles first, and test your chosen shaker over a bowl before using it at the table.
HENDI offers bottles in 0.2, 0.35 and 0.7-litre sizes, among others, for liquids. The largest size isn’t necessarily practical if you’re serving only a small amount of one topping.
Choose a size based on how much liquid topping you’ll serve and how often you want to refill the bottle, not on how many dry aniseed sprinkles you have.
If any liquid is left over, you’ll also need to empty and clean the bottle afterwards.
Jumbo lists wheat among the ingredients of De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. Any reusable serving container must also be suitable for food contact.
Read the packaging of the product you’ve bought, use a dispenser intended for food contact, and make sure it’s clear which topping is in each container when serving several toppings together.
According to product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes are a dry topping made from crushed, sugared aniseed seeds. Jumbo lists a 270 g pack.
HENDI describes dispenser bottles in 0.2, 0.35 and 0.7-litre sizes for sauces, dressings and oil, among other liquids.
OXO describes squeeze bottles with different nozzles for liquids, and also offers separate shakers for dried herbs.
Don’t assume a standard squeeze bottle will dispense dry aniseed sprinkles well. De Ruijter describes them as crushed, sugared aniseed seeds, while HENDI and OXO describe the squeeze bottles we looked at as being for liquids. If you want to sprinkle them dry, check the opening of a shaker and test it over a bowl first.
Choose a bottle capacity based on how much liquid topping you’ll serve and how often you want to refill it. HENDI lists dispenser bottles in 0.2, 0.35 and 0.7-litre sizes for sauces and dressings, among other liquids. A larger capacity is most useful when you want to serve more of the same liquid. This sizing advice doesn’t apply to dry aniseed sprinkles.
Choose a dispenser explicitly intended for food contact and follow the instructions for use and cleaning for that specific item. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that food contact materials must not release chemicals in quantities that could endanger health. So a random craft or cosmetics bottle isn’t a suitable choice.
Before serving, check the packaging of the crushed aniseed sprinkles you’ve bought. Jumbo lists wheat among the ingredients of De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes. If you’re serving them at a shared table, keep the packaging clearly paired with its serving container too.
