If you want to taste dark chocolate above all when enjoying coffee, choose a biscuit or cookie that clearly states how much dark chocolate it contains. If you prefer caramel filling and a milk chocolate coating, a filled cookie may suit your taste better. Check the cocoa percentage separately if that is a deciding factor for you: the proportion of dark chocolate in a biscuit doesn’t tell you how much cocoa that chocolate contains. Also check the latest ingredients and allergen information.
You’re looking for a crisp biscuit that specifically lists dark chocolate as an ingredient. Compare the proportion of chocolate in the biscuit, and check separately whether the cocoa percentage of that chocolate is stated.
You’d rather have a combination of caramel filling, milk chocolate and dark chocolate pieces than a simple biscuit with dark chocolate.
You need a biscuit whose current label suits your diet or avoids ingredients you need to steer clear of. A description such as ‘dark’ doesn’t replace checking the label.
First decide which flavour and texture you’d like with your coffee. Then compare the chocolate description, pack size and ingredients on the label.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate | Compare the proportion of dark chocolate or chocolate pieces in the biscuit with any separately stated cocoa percentage. | If I want dark chocolate to take centre stage, I want to know exactly what the stated percentage refers to. Around 36% of consumers put that chocolate flavour first. |
| Texture and filling | Decide whether you want a crisp biscuit, a cookie with chocolate pieces or a biscuit with filling and a chocolate coating. | For my coffee break, the bite determines whether I want a simple crisp biscuit or a filled one. For around 29% of consumers, texture is their top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the latest ingredients list and allergen information on the pack, including for products made with dark chocolate. | I can only choose once I know the ingredients are suitable and don’t include anything I need to avoid. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Pack size and portions | Compare the net weight, number of biscuits and whether they’re individually wrapped. | If I want to share the biscuits or save them for several coffee breaks, how the pack is divided up matters most. Around 14% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
Albert Heijn says that AH Zaans huisje contains 63% dark chocolate, while Jumbo says its Chocolate Cookies contain 40% dark chocolate pieces. These percentages describe the proportion of chocolate in the product, not the cocoa percentage of the chocolate itself.
Check what quantity the percentage on the pack refers to, and look separately for a cocoa percentage if that’s what you want to base your choice on.
Jumbo describes its Double Chocolate Cookies as biscuits with caramel filling, a milk chocolate coating and dark chocolate pieces. This has a different flavour profile from a biscuit with dark chocolate.
Look beyond the description ‘double chocolate’ and check whether the stated filling and coating suit your coffee break.
A biscuit made with dark chocolate may also contain ingredients such as milk, wheat or soya. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be clearly listed on the label.
Read the latest ingredients and allergen information on the pack before buying and eating the product.
AH Zaans huisje dark chocolate is a butter biscuit with a stated proportion of dark chocolate.
Jumbo describes both crisp cookies with dark chocolate pieces and a filled double chocolate version.
Lotus Bakeries presents Biscoff as a crisp, caramelised biscuit to enjoy with coffee.
ALDI describes Biscotto chocolate biscuits made with dark, white and milk chocolate.
Lidl describes its cocoa sourcing policy for own-brand products.
These three dark chocolate-flavoured cookies are options if you’re looking for a chocolate biscuit to enjoy during a coffee break. The flavour description doesn’t confirm a high cocoa percentage, so check the latest packaging if that will affect your choice.
Image unavailable
An option if you’d like a chunky cookie with a dark chocolate flavour alongside your coffee. The pack contains 72 g. Check the cocoa percentage and allergens on the latest label if they’re important to your choice.
Image unavailable
A dark chocolate-flavoured cookie for a coffee break. The pack contains 70 g. Check the latest label to see which cocoa ingredients and allergens are listed for this variety.
Image unavailable
Another Franzzi variety with a dark chocolate flavour, if you’re looking for a 115 g pack. Compare the latest ingredients and allergen information with the other variety; don’t infer the cocoa percentage from the flavour description.
No. ‘Dark’ may simply describe the chocolate or chocolate pieces used. Albert Heijn and Jumbo do state the proportion of dark chocolate in the biscuits discussed; check separately whether the cocoa percentage of that chocolate is listed on the label.
Check the allergen information for the specific variety on the latest packaging. Depending on the variety, the biscuits discussed may contain wheat, milk or soya, among other ingredients. If you have an allergy, any warnings on the label are important too.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal any opened biscuits securely. Jumbo recommends this for the Chocolate Cookies discussed; Albert Heijn recommends keeping AH Zaans huisje in a sealed tin.
