For a car journey, first decide what matters most to you: a biscuit with a clearly stated proportion of dark chocolate, small packs you can share, or a larger pack for several travellers. The percentage of a dark chocolate coating or chocolate bar is not the same as the cocoa content of the whole biscuit. Check the label if cocoa content is a deciding factor for you.
Want to compare the chocolate coating rather than relying on the word ‘dark’? Albert Heijn states that two biscuits contain 27% dark chocolate coating and 63% dark chocolate respectively. These percentages describe the chocolate component, not the total cocoa content.
If you’d rather not open a whole pack while you’re on the go, LU Scholiertje puur’s twin pack gives you a clear point of comparison. ALDI also lists this packaging for Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits, but that range includes white and milk chocolate as well as dark chocolate.
Ingredients, allergens and storage advice can all influence your choice. So check the packaging of the specific variety before you set off, especially if you won’t finish the pack in one go during your journey.
When comparing dark chocolate biscuits, first check exactly what the stated chocolate percentage refers to. Then see whether the portion packaging and label suit your planned journey.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate and cocoa | Check whether a percentage refers to the chocolate coating, a chocolate bar or the cocoa in the chocolate. Compare the ingredients too. | If I’m looking for a pronounced dark chocolate flavour, I want to know what the packaging claim refers to. For around 45% of consumers, flavour is the main priority. |
| Portions for the journey | See whether the biscuits are wrapped individually or in pairs, and check what to do with an opened pack. | I want to be able to share biscuits during a journey without taking them all out of the pack at once. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this convenience. |
| Ingredients and storage | Read the allergen information, any ‘may contain’ warnings and the storage advice on the current packaging. | If ingredients are important to my choice and there are biscuits left after the journey, I also want to know how to store them. This is the top priority for around 22% of consumers. |
The 27% dark chocolate coating on an AH biscuit and the 63% dark chocolate in AH Zaans huisje don’t tell you what percentage of the whole biscuit is cocoa.
Check what the percentage refers to. If a specific cocoa content is essential for you, look for an explicit statement on the packaging about the relevant chocolate component.
The term ‘dark chocolate’ doesn’t mean a biscuit is free from milk, gluten, soya or other allergens. Warnings about possible traces can also vary from product to product.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying, even if you already know the brand.
A larger pack may suit several travellers, but it will be open after the first portion. The AH products reviewed come with advice to store biscuits sealed, in a cool, dark and dry place.
Take a resealable container if you won’t finish the pack in one go, or choose packaging with smaller portions.
ALDI describes Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits as a mix of dark, white and milk chocolate. So, packs of two don’t necessarily all contain the same type of chocolate.
Check which varieties are included if you only want biscuits with dark chocolate.
These brands offer examples to help you compare chocolate claims and packaging. Always assess each product individually.
Albert Heijn states that its Gesuikerde biscuits contain 27% dark chocolate coating, while its Zaans huisje contains 63% dark chocolate.
LU Scholiertje puur is a butter biscuit with dark chocolate, packed in pairs.
Jumbo has an own-brand variety called Chocolade Biscuits Puur.
ALDI describes Biscotto Chocolate Biscuits as a mix of dark, white and milk chocolate, packed in pairs.
Lidl presents Sondey as a brand with a range of cookies and biscuits.
These dark chocolate-flavoured biscuits are related options for the journey. Their flavour description doesn’t confirm a high cocoa content, so compare the label with that of a biscuit if the amount of dark chocolate is what matters most to you.
No image available
An option to consider if you’d like to take a dark chocolate-flavoured cookie with you. Check the packaging for the cocoa content, allergens and whether the cookies are individually wrapped, if that matters for your journey.
No image available
This variety is worth considering if you’re looking for a larger pack of dark chocolate-flavoured cookies. For a car journey, check the portion packaging and storage advice. The flavour name doesn’t tell you the cocoa percentage.
No image available
Consider this cookie if the dark chocolate flavour and pack size suit your journey. Check the chocolate and cocoa content separately on the packaging, along with the allergens and any portion packaging.
No. The percentages Albert Heijn gives for the biscuits mentioned describe the dark chocolate or dark chocolate coating, not the cocoa content of the whole product. Look for a percentage on the packaging that directly relates to what you want to compare.
Packs of two are useful if you want to share small portions without opening a whole pack straight away; LU lists this packaging for Scholiertje puur. If you’re travelling with several people and choose a larger pack, think ahead about how you’ll keep the leftovers sealed.
Read the allergen information on the current packaging for the variety you’ve chosen, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. The Dutch Ondernemersplein explains that allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging. For the biscuits mentioned, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a cool, dark and dry place and keeping an opened pack sealed. Take a suitable storage container with you if needed.
