Who are these biscuits for?

Coffee drinkers looking for a cocoa content

You’re after a dark chocolate flavour and want to check that it has a high cocoa content. Look for a clearly stated cocoa percentage: the proportion of chocolate in a biscuit doesn’t tell you this.

Hosts who want to share biscuits

You want to put enough individual biscuits on the table for several friends. The number of biscuits or portions and the pack weight can help you decide which pack is right for your group.

Shoppers comparing labels

You take ingredients, allergens or nutritional value into account when serving food. Check the current packaging for each product, and compare nutritional information on the same basis, for example per 100 g.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether a stated cocoa percentage is essential for you. Then consider which biscuit shape, pack size and labelling will suit your guests.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important to?
Cocoa percentage Look for a clearly stated cocoa or cocoa solids percentage for the chocolate used; don’t confuse this with the proportion of chocolate in the biscuit. If I’m looking for a dark chocolate biscuit specifically because of its cocoa content, I don’t want to base my choice on the word ‘dark’ alone. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a cocoa percentage they can check.
Biscuit shape and portions Compare the number of biscuits or portions, and choose between a chocolate-coated biscuit, a digestive or a cookie with chocolate pieces. For coffee with several friends, I want individual portions that are easy to serve. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this convenience.
Pack size Compare the net weight and number of biscuits with the number of guests and how much you want to serve. I want to serve enough biscuits without being left with a pack that isn’t right for the occasion. The right pack size matters most to around 21% of consumers.
Allergens and nutritional value Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings; if needed, compare sugars, saturated fat and salt per 100 g. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in each biscuit before serving. For around 21% of consumers, the label and nutritional information are their first consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Reading the chocolate content as the cocoa percentage

    Albert Heijn states that 63% of the biscuit in AH Zaans huisje pure chocolade is made up of dark chocolate. That figure doesn’t tell you how much cocoa the chocolate contains.

    If cocoa content affects your choice, look for a separate statement of the cocoa or cocoa solids percentage.

  • Looking only at the pack weight

    A heavier pack doesn’t necessarily contain the number of individual portions you want to serve your guests.

    Check the number of biscuits or portions too, and decide in advance how many you want to put on the table.

  • Guessing allergens from the photo or brand name

    Ingredients and warnings can vary between biscuits. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority notes that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods.

    Check the current packaging before buying, and again before serving if a guest has a food allergy.

  • Assuming a product page means an item is always available

    Albert Heijn lists the Verkade Verk digestive puur shown as discontinued. Lidl presents Sondey Digestives pure chocolade as an in-store product.

    Check shortly before buying to see whether your chosen biscuits are available and whether the pack still suits your needs.

Brands to consider

Verkade

Verkade offers chocolate biscuits and chocolate products, which you should assess as separate product types.

  • According to Verkade, its Extra Puur bar contains 71% cocoa.
  • The bar isn’t a biscuit. Albert Heijn lists the Verkade Verk digestive puur shown as discontinued.

Lotus

Lotus Biscoff is a caramelised coffee biscuit, not a dark chocolate biscuit.

  • According to Lotus Bakeries, Biscoff goes well with a cup of coffee.
  • Don’t choose it if dark chocolate or a verifiable cocoa content is a must.

Albert Heijn

AH Zaans huisje pure chocolade is a butter biscuit with dark chocolate.

  • Albert Heijn states that the biscuit contains 63% dark chocolate and comes in a 125 g pack with 9 portions.
  • The 63% refers to the chocolate content, not the cocoa percentage of that chocolate.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers, among other things, chocolate-coated biscuits, cookies with dark chocolate pieces and Chocolettes Puur.

  • Jumbo states that its Chocolade Biscuits Puur contain 63% chocolate, while its Chocolate Cookies contain 40% dark chocolate pieces.
  • These percentages describe different proportions in different biscuits; check the allergens for each product too.

Lidl

Lidl lists Sondey Digestives pure chocolade in a 300 g pack.

  • A dark chocolate digestive offers a different style of biscuit from a chocolate-coated butter biscuit.
  • Lidl lists this product as available in-store only; check the packaging and availability before buying.

Aldi

ALDI lists Biscotto chocolate biscuits in a pack of 20 butter biscuits weighing 250 g.

  • The biscuits are individually wrapped in pairs, which can be handy if you don’t want to open the whole pack at once.
  • The pack contains dark, white and milk chocolate varieties, so it isn’t made up exclusively of dark chocolate biscuits.

Biscuits on Joybuy

These Franzzi biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour are options for a coffee break with friends. Pack weights vary, so check the number of biscuits and the label if portions, cocoa or allergens affect your choice.

Franzzi Premium biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour, 70 g

Franzzi Premium biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour, 70 g

For a coffee break when you want to serve biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour. The pack contains 70 g; check how many biscuits it includes if you’re serving several guests. Check the label for a cocoa percentage, if stated, and up-to-date allergen information.

View on Joybuy
Franzzi Mellow biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour, 115 g

Franzzi Mellow biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour, 115 g

For anyone looking for biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour to enjoy with coffee and considering a 115 g pack. Compare the number of biscuits with your guest list, and check the label if you’re choosing based on cocoa percentage or allergens.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does 63% dark chocolate mean a biscuit contains 63% cocoa?

No. For AH Zaans huisje pure chocolade and Jumbo Chocolade Biscuits Puur, the product information says this percentage refers to the proportion of chocolate in the biscuit. You’ll need a separate statement to find out the cocoa content of the chocolate.

Which allergens should I check when friends are coming round?

Check the allergens on the current packaging for each biscuit, and look out for any ‘may contain’ warnings too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the mandatory labelling of 14 allergens; don’t rely on a product photo or on another biscuit from the same brand.

How should I store chocolate biscuits after opening?

Seal the pack securely after opening and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Before serving them at your next coffee break, check that the biscuits are still suitable to eat.

Does dark chocolate tell you anything about a biscuit’s nutritional value?

The word ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you the full nutritional value of a biscuit. Compare the nutritional information for the products you’re considering on the same basis, for example sugars and saturated fat per 100 g, and check the ingredients list too.