Who might find this choice relevant?

Fan of a bold cocoa flavour

You’re looking for a biscuit with a pronounced dark chocolate flavour to enjoy late in the evening. Look beyond the word ‘dark’: the proportion of chocolate in a biscuit is different from its cocoa percentage.

Evening snacker comparing nutritional values

You want to compare the sugars, saturated fat and fibre in different biscuits. Check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion, so you can also take into account how much you plan to eat.

Shopper with allergy or portion requirements

You check ingredients and potential allergens, or want to know in advance how many biscuits make up a portion. If you have an allergy, check the current packaging. The products discussed include ingredients such as wheat, milk and soya.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you mainly want to assess the chocolate flavour, nutritional values, portion size or ingredients. Then compare the relevant information on the labels of the biscuits you’re considering.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important to?
Dark chocolate flavour and cocoa Check whether the percentage refers to the proportion of chocolate in the biscuit or the cocoa percentage. Read the ingredients list too. I want a bold dark chocolate flavour, but I don’t want to misread a percentage on the front of the pack. For around 33% of consumers, this question of flavour and cocoa comes first.
Nutritional value Compare sugars, saturated fat and fibre per 100 g; check the values per portion too. If I have a biscuit late at night, I want to know how its nutritional values compare with the amount I eat. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this comparison.
Portion size Check the number of biscuits and the weight per portion, and whether the biscuits are individually wrapped. I want to decide in advance how many biscuits to have, rather than eating straight from a large pack. Around 20% of consumers put having a set portion first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients list and any warnings about possible traces on the current packaging. If certain ingredients aren’t suitable for me, I need to be able to check the label before eating anything. For around 20% of consumers, this is their main priority.

According to Albert Heijn and Jumbo, the percentages for AH Zaans huisje and Jumbo Chocolade Biscuits Puur describe the proportion of chocolate in the product. They are not equivalent to a cocoa percentage for the whole biscuit. For a like-for-like comparison, Jumbo lists 27.4 g of sugars per 100 g for its Digestive Biscuit Pure Chocolade, compared with 37 g per 100 g for the chocolate biscuits mentioned from Albert Heijn and Jumbo. Portion sizes vary.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘dark’ means the biscuit has a high cocoa percentage

    A biscuit can contain a large proportion of dark chocolate without stating the cocoa percentage of the whole biscuit.

    Check exactly what a percentage refers to. If it’s your main selection criterion, look for a separate cocoa percentage.

  • Comparing sugars per 100 g alone

    The products mentioned have different portion sizes, including 14 g per biscuit and 25 g for two biscuits. So a difference per 100 g doesn’t, by itself, tell you what’s in the portion you choose.

    Use the values per 100 g to compare products, then check the nutritional information for the portion you plan to have.

  • Relying on an ingredients list you checked previously

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. This is particularly important if you need to avoid an ingredient.

    Just before eating, read the label on the pack you actually have.

  • Using ‘dark chocolate’ as an indication of nutritional value

    The term ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar or saturated fat a portion of chocolate biscuits contains.

    Assess the nutritional value using the table on the packaging, not just the type of chocolate.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

The supermarket’s own brand has a dark chocolate biscuit, with portion size and nutritional values listed on the product page.

  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Zaans huisje pure chocolade contains 63% dark chocolate; the stated portion is 14 g.
  • The 63% refers to the proportion of chocolate in the product, not a stated cocoa percentage for the whole biscuit. Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens.

Jumbo

The supermarket’s own brand offers different types, including chocolate biscuits and digestives with dark chocolate.

  • Jumbo lists 63% chocolate and a 14 g portion for Chocolade Biscuits Puur. For Digestive Biscuit Pure Chocolade, Jumbo states 30% dark chocolate, 27.4 g of sugars and 4.1 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The proportion of chocolate in a biscuit doesn’t tell you the cocoa percentage of the whole biscuit. Compare portion sizes too when looking at nutritional values side by side.

Verkade

With Verkade, the difference between a chocolate biscuit and a chocolate bar is relevant to this choice.

  • Verkade states that its Extra Puur bar contains at least 71% cocoa. This is an explicit cocoa percentage for anyone who wants to assess that figure in particular.
  • Extra Puur is a bar, not a biscuit. Duo’tjes Chocolade has a cream filling with 2% dark chocolate; don’t take that product description as an indication that the biscuit has a high cocoa percentage.

Lotus

Lotus combines speculoos with chocolate for anyone who is specifically looking for that biscuit base.

  • Lotus Bakeries states that Speculoos met Chocolade contains 22% chocolate.
  • Don’t assume this specific variety contains dark chocolate based on that statement. Check the variety and nutritional information on the packaging.

Lidl / Sondey

Sondey Digestives pure chocolade is another type of biscuit to consider.

  • Lidl describes these Sondey digestives as a 300 g pack, available in store.
  • Before comparing this variety with other biscuits, check the packaging for the chocolate or cocoa percentage, nutritional values, ingredients and allergens.

ALDI

At ALDI, Biscotto chocolate biscuits and dark chocolate bars are different product categories.

  • ALDI describes Biscotto chocolate biscuits with dark, white and milk chocolate. For one variety of the Moser Roth chocolate bar, ALDI states 90% cocoa.
  • The Biscotto biscuits aren’t an exclusively dark chocolate variety, and the Moser Roth bar isn’t a biscuit. Check the information for the specific variety of each product.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does 63% dark chocolate mean that 63% of a biscuit is cocoa?

No. For AH Zaans huisje pure chocolade and Jumbo Chocolade Biscuits Puur, that percentage describes the proportion of chocolate in the product, according to Albert Heijn and Jumbo. Look for a separate statement on the label to find the cocoa percentage.

How can I compare chocolate biscuits if I want to eat less sugar?

First compare the sugars per 100 g, then check how much is in your portion. Jumbo lists 27.4 g of sugars per 100 g for Digestive Biscuit Pure Chocolade. Albert Heijn and Jumbo each list 37 g per 100 g for the biscuits with 63% chocolate discussed here. Take portion size and other nutritional values into account too.

How should I store an opened pack of chocolate biscuits?

Follow the instructions on the packaging for your product. Jumbo recommends storing its Chocolade Biscuits Puur in a cool, dry place, sealing the pack tightly after opening and eating the remaining biscuits within a few days. For its Digestive Biscuit Pure Chocolade, Jumbo advises sealing the pack tightly and storing it in a dark place once opened.

Where can I check for allergens in packaged chocolate biscuits?

Read the ingredients list and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the current packaging. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens specified by law must be clearly stated on the label. Check the specific biscuit: the products discussed include ingredients such as wheat, milk and soya.