Dark chocolate fans
If you prefer a less milky chocolate flavour, compare what the label says about the amount of dark chocolate in the biscuit. Check separately whether it gives the cocoa percentage of that chocolate, too.
Which option is right for you?
Organisers handing out biscuits
A multipack is practical for serving biscuits from a platter, while small individually portioned packs may work better if you’re handing them out to each guest. Check how many biscuits or portions are actually in the pack.
Shoppers catering for allergens
If you’re buying for a group, read the label on every product you choose. The biscuits discussed here include ingredients such as wheat, milk and soya; some also state that they may contain nuts.
What should you look for when choosing?
A chocolate-coated biscuit, a larger cookie and a biscuit packed in pairs each suit different serving needs. Decide which format works for your festival, then compare the information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate flavour | Compare the amount of dark chocolate in the biscuit with any cocoa percentage given for the chocolate itself; these are two different pieces of information. | If I’m looking for a distinctly dark chocolate flavour, I want more to go on than just the word ‘dark’. For around 36% of consumers, being able to check the flavour profile would be the top priority. |
| Portions and serving | Check the number of biscuits or portions, and whether the biscuits are loose in a multipack or wrapped in individual portions. | When handing them out, I don’t want to have to put together a separate portion for every guest on the spot. That’s why around 29% of consumers would put the serving format first. |
| Allergens | Check the pack for both the listed allergens and information about the possible presence of other allergens. | When buying for a mixed group, I need to be able to say which biscuits are suitable for which guests. This would be the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Storage and transport | Check the storage instructions, best-before date and how to reseal the pack once it’s open. | If I’m packing the biscuits before the festival, I want to be able to transport and store them as instructed on the label. For around 14% of consumers, this would be the main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing the chocolate content with the cocoa percentage
Albert Heijn states that AH Zaans huisje contains 63% dark chocolate. That doesn’t mean the chocolate itself is 63% cocoa. The same distinction applies to the chocolate content Jumbo gives for the biscuit products discussed here.
If a high cocoa percentage is essential, look separately for the amount of chocolate in the biscuit and the cocoa percentage of that chocolate.
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Choosing on flavour alone and forgetting about serving
A large multipack needs to be served differently from biscuits wrapped in pairs. Once the pack is open, you’ll also need to follow the storage instructions on the pack.
Choose a multipack for a platter if you can seal it properly, or consider small portions if you want to hand biscuits out to individual guests.
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Assuming ‘dark chocolate’ means no allergens
‘Dark’ doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from milk, wheat, soya or possible traces of nuts. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority treats allergen labelling as important safety information.
Before buying and serving, check the current label on the pack you’ll be using. When serving guests with different requirements, keep the biscuits clearly separated.
Brands and product ranges compared
Albert Heijn
AH Zaans huisje is a butter biscuit topped with dark chocolate, for anyone looking for a biscuit with a chocolate coating.
- Albert Heijn states that this product contains 63% dark chocolate.
- That figure is not the cocoa percentage of the chocolate. The product contains milk, wheat and soya, among other ingredients; it may also contain hazelnuts.
Jumbo
Jumbo Chocolate Cookies are larger cookies with dark chocolate pieces, ideal for a platter or sharing.
- Jumbo states that the pack contains 40% dark chocolate pieces and twelve portions.
- The chocolate content doesn’t confirm a cocoa percentage. The product contains wheat and also lists possible allergens.
LU
LU Scholiertje combines a butter biscuit with dark chocolate and, according to the product information, is packed in pairs.
- Product information published by Jumbo states that it contains 48% dark chocolate.
- The product contains milk, wheat and soya; it may also contain nuts. The stated chocolate content is not a cocoa percentage.
McVitie's
McVitie's Digestives Pure Chocolade is a flatter biscuit with a dark chocolate coating.
- Jumbo states that this product contains 30% dark chocolate and 9% wholemeal wheat flour.
- These percentages don’t mean its cocoa percentage is higher than that of other biscuits. The product contains milk, soya and wheat.
Galler
The Galler product discussed here is a dark chocolate bar with a biscuit filling and biscuit pieces, rather than a traditional biscuit to serve on a platter.
- Albert Heijn states that this bar contains at least 60% cocoa.
- That cocoa percentage applies to this bar and isn’t directly comparable with the amount of chocolate in a biscuit.
Biscuits on Joybuy
These options range from a biscuit suited to handing out in portions to individually wrapped biscuits described as having a dark chocolate flavour, as well as a chunky cookie. If you’re specifically looking for a high cocoa percentage, check the label separately: a flavour description doesn’t confirm it.
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LU Scholiertje Chocolate 150 g
An option if you want to hand out biscuits in small portions rather than putting loose cookies on a platter.
Before buying for a group, check the current label for the cocoa percentage and allergen information.
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Franzzi Premium Dark Chocolate Flavour Cookies 70 g
The individual pack may be convenient for handing out or taking with you, without needing an open platter.
‘Dark Chocolate Flavour’ is a flavour description. If the amount of chocolate, cocoa percentage or allergens will determine your choice, check the label.
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Franzzi Mellow Dark Chocolate Flavoured Cookies 115 g
This is another option if you want to hand out or take along individually wrapped biscuits.
Don’t assume ‘Dark Chocolate Flavoured’ means a high cocoa content. Check the current label for chocolate and allergen information.
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quduoduo Chunky Cookies (Dark Chocolate Flavour) 72 g
The chunky cookie format is an alternative if you’d rather serve a larger cookie than a biscuit with a chocolate coating.
The flavour description doesn’t confirm that the chocolate pieces are dark chocolate. If this matters to your choice, check the label for this and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ on a biscuit pack mean the cocoa content is high?
No. The word ‘dark’ on its own doesn’t give you the cocoa percentage of the chocolate. A stated amount of dark chocolate tells you how much chocolate is in the biscuit; check separately whether the label also gives the cocoa percentage of that chocolate.
Which biscuits are handy if I want to hand them out to guests at a festival?
Biscuits in small individual packs are better suited to handing out to guests than an opened multipack. According to product information published by Jumbo, LU Scholiertje is packed in pairs; check the packaging and make sure you buy enough portions.
How should I store dark chocolate biscuits before the festival?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy. The product information discussed here recommends storing the biscuits in a cool, dry place, and sometimes in a dark place too, and resealing an opened pack securely. Also check the best-before date on the pack.
Can I rely on an online product page for allergen information?
Use the current label on the pack you receive to decide what to serve. Online product information is useful for comparing products, but ingredients and allergen information can change. Also check for any statements that the product may contain other allergens.