Who is this choice relevant to?

Organising a larger dessert buffet

You want to know in advance how many biscuits you can put out. The number of biscuits or portions per pack is more useful for this than the pack weight alone.

Fans of a pronounced dark chocolate flavour

You want to know whether ‘dark’ matches the flavour you’re looking for. Check whether the product states a cocoa percentage; the proportion of chocolate in the biscuit is a separate detail.

Buffet organisers who need to consider allergens

You want to be able to tell guests what the biscuits contain. Read the packaging of the packs you’ve bought, and keep information about possible traces available when serving.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether flavour, portion numbers or allergen information is the deciding factor for your buffet. Then compare the details on each product’s packaging: the percentage of the chocolate coating and the cocoa percentage don’t answer the same question.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Dark chocolate flavour If cocoa intensity matters, look for a stated cocoa percentage. To compare sweetness, also check the sugars per 100 g. If I’m looking for a less sweet-tasting biscuit, I don’t want to assume that ‘dark’ or a thick chocolate coating guarantees it. Around 40% of consumers put checking the chocolate flavour first.
Buffet portions Compare the number of biscuits or portions per pack with how many biscuits you want to serve, and check the pack weight too. For a larger group, I want to avoid the plate being empty after one round. Having enough portions is the main concern for around 30% of consumers.
Allergen information Check the ingredients, stated allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you’ve bought. When guests help themselves to biscuits, I want to be able to show them the information from the correct packaging. Around 30% of consumers prioritise clear allergen information.

Common pitfalls

  • Assuming ‘dark’ means a specified high cocoa content

    The proportion of chocolate in a biscuit isn’t the cocoa percentage of that chocolate. For example, Jumbo lists 30% dark chocolate for its digestive and 63% chocolate for its smaller biscuit; these figures don’t indicate the cocoa percentage.

    If cocoa intensity is a deciding factor, look for an explicit cocoa declaration on the specific product. Don’t judge how sweet it will taste by the name ‘dark’ alone.

  • Looking only at the pack weight

    A heavy pack and a large number of individual biscuits aren’t the same thing. Albert Heijn lists around 30 portions for its 400 g pack, while Jumbo lists nine biscuits in its 125 g pack of chocolate biscuits.

    Decide how many biscuits you want to put out, then compare the stated number of biscuits or portions per pack.

  • Relying on the product name for allergen information

    The biscuits mentioned contain, among other things, cereals containing gluten, milk and soya. Depending on the product, warnings about possible traces may also be relevant.

    Check the label on each pack you’ve bought just before serving, and keep the packaging or a clear photo of the ingredients and allergen list to hand.

Brands to consider

The examples listed vary in biscuit shape, chocolate content and pack size. A brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a particular variety has the flavour you want or suitable allergen information.

Albert Heijn

AH Sugar-coated biscuits with dark chocolate are an option if you want to plan portions for a larger buffet.

  • Albert Heijn lists 400 g, around 30 portions and a coating of 27% dark chocolate.
  • The proportion of chocolate coating isn’t a cocoa percentage. Check the allergens and nutritional information on the pack you’ve bought.

Jumbo

Jumbo has two different types of biscuit here: a 300 g digestive and smaller 125 g chocolate biscuits.

  • Jumbo lists around 18 portions and 30% dark chocolate for the digestive; the smaller variety contains nine biscuits and, according to the product page, 63% chocolate.
  • Neither of these chocolate percentages is a cocoa percentage. Check the allergens on the packaging for each variety too.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy biscuit with a caramelised flavour, for example to enjoy with coffee.

  • A different flavour option for guests who aren’t specifically looking for a dark chocolate biscuit.
  • Don’t take Biscoff as an indication of a dark chocolate coating or high cocoa content.

Sondey (Lidl)

Lidl offers a range of cookies and biscuits under the Sondey brand, and also lists 400 g packs of sugar-coated chocolate biscuits.

  • The stated pack weight gives you a starting point when working out how much you’ll need for the buffet.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and any cocoa declaration on the label of the biscuit you choose.

Biscotto (ALDI)

The Biscotto pack described contains 20 butter biscuits weighing 250 g in total, with dark, white and milk chocolate varieties.

  • The mixed pack offers different chocolate flavours on the same buffet table.
  • Not every biscuit in this mix is a dark chocolate biscuit. Check the packaging for the ingredients and allergens in each variety.

Buffet biscuits at Joybuy

These biscuits are suited to anyone looking for small portions with a dark chocolate flavour; the Bourbon variety combines it with matcha. Check the label if a specific cocoa content or allergen information will determine your choice.

Franzzi Dark Chocolate Flavour Cookies, 70 g

Franzzi Dark Chocolate Flavour Cookies 70 g

An option if you want to put dark chocolate-flavoured cookies on the buffet. The pack contains 70 g; check how many cookies it includes before deciding how many packs you’ll need. ‘Chocolate Flavour’ doesn’t tell you how much cocoa or chocolate the product contains, so check the label, along with the ingredients and allergens.

View at Joybuy
Bourbon Alfort Mini Chocolate Dark Matcha, 12 pieces, 60 g

Bourbon Alfort Mini Chocolate Dark Matcha 12 pieces 60 g

An option if you want to offer matcha alongside a dark chocolate flavour at your buffet. The pack contains 12 pieces according to the product name and weighs 60 g; compare that quantity with the portions you’re planning. Check the cocoa content and ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before serving the biscuits.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘dark’ mean a biscuit has a high cocoa content?

No. The name ‘dark’ doesn’t automatically give you a cocoa percentage. For two of its biscuits, Jumbo lists 30% dark chocolate and 63% chocolate in the product respectively; these aren’t percentages of cocoa in the chocolate. Look for an explicit cocoa declaration on the biscuit you want to buy.

What allergen information should I have available at the buffet?

Keep the information for every pack actually being served to hand, including the ingredients, stated allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings. The biscuit examples mentioned contain, among other things, cereals containing gluten, milk and soya; check the current label for each variety rather than relying on one general list for the whole plate.

How should I store opened chocolate biscuits until the buffet?

Reseal the packaging securely after opening and follow the storage advice for your chosen biscuit. Albert Heijn recommends storing its sugar-coated biscuits in a sealed tin; Jumbo advises sealing the packaging securely and storing its digestive biscuits in a dark place.

Is the online product description enough when shopping for Christmas?

Use the online description to compare products, but check the packaging when you buy them too. Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so for a buffet the label on the pack you’re serving is the one you need to check.