Dark chocolate lovers
If the chocolate is the main draw for you, compare the proportion of chocolate in the product with any stated cocoa solids percentage. These are two different figures.
Who are these biscuits suitable for?
Hosts putting out a biscuit selection
If you’re serving coffee or tea to several guests, it’s useful to compare the pack weight and the number of biscuits or portions. For a smaller gathering, individually portioned packs may be better suited to the occasion.
Shoppers who need to check allergens
If a guest has an allergy, the current label is what matters. Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the pack you’re actually serving.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing dark chocolate biscuits for a St Nicholas’ Eve gathering with adults, flavour, the quantity for your guests and allergen information each play a different part.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate flavour | Check how the chocolate is described and look for a cocoa solids percentage on the exact pack. The proportion of chocolate in the biscuit is a different figure. | I want the dark chocolate to be the star of the biscuits for adults, not just to see ‘dark’ on the front of the pack. For around 42% of consumers, this question of flavour would be the main consideration. |
| Quantity and portions | Compare the pack weight, number of biscuits or portions, and storage instructions after opening. | When I’m filling a plate for my guests, I don’t want to run unexpectedly short of biscuits or have lots left over. Around 33% of consumers would focus mainly on getting the right quantity. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. | If a guest has a relevant allergy, I need to be able to assess whether this particular pack is suitable to serve. For around 25% of consumers, checking the label would come first. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming ‘dark’ means a high cocoa percentage
Jumbo states that Chocolade Biscuits Puur contains 63% chocolate; Albert Heijn states that AH Gesuikerde biscuits have a coating of 27% dark chocolate. Neither percentage, on its own, tells you how much cocoa solids the chocolate used contains.
If the cocoa content is a deciding factor, look for an explicit cocoa statement on the pack of the biscuits you choose.
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Choosing a pack without checking the portions
A large pack for putting out on a plate and smaller, individually portioned packs suit different serving needs. So, as well as comparing the weight, check how many biscuits or portions you can serve.
Choose a quantity to suit the number of guests, and check how to store any biscuits left in an opened pack.
A pack that doesn’t suit your gathering could leave you with biscuits to spare or mean you need to open an extra pack.
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Relying on the front of the pack for allergen information
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the labelling requirements for 14 allergens. The product information discussed here includes wheat, milk and soya; some products also mention possible traces of nuts.
Before serving, read the current physical label, including any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. If you’re unsure about a relevant allergy, don’t serve the product without checking.
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Comparing a chocolate letter with a biscuit
A dark chocolate letter is festive, but it isn’t a biscuit to serve with coffee or tea. You can’t use the cocoa percentage of a chocolate letter as the cocoa content of a biscuit.
If you want to serve both, treat the chocolate letter as an extra and choose the biscuits separately.
Brands and own-label options to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo Chocolade Biscuits Puur is a biscuit option to put out with coffee or tea.
- Jumbo states that the pack contains 125 g, nine biscuits and 63% chocolate in the product.
- That proportion of chocolate isn’t a cocoa percentage. If you have allergies, check the current label; the product information lists wheat, milk and soya, and says the product may contain nuts.
Albert Heijn
The 400 g pack of AH Gesuikerde biscuits pure chocolade is an option to consider when serving several guests.
- Albert Heijn states that the pack contains 30 portions and has a coating of 27% dark chocolate.
- The biscuits also have decorative sugar. The 27% figure describes the chocolate coating, not the cocoa content of the chocolate.
Lotus
Lotus Biscoff Speculoos with dark chocolate offers a different flavour option if you’d also like to serve speculoos biscuits on St Nicholas’ Eve.
- Lotus states that the pack contains 7 × 3 biscuits.
- With their speculoos flavour, these aren’t the same as biscuits where the flavour comes mainly from a neutral base and dark chocolate.
Lidl / Sondey
Sondey Digestives dark chocolate are an own-label option if you’re specifically looking for digestives with dark chocolate.
- Lidl describes a 300 g pack.
- Before choosing this variety for guests, check the ingredients, allergens and any cocoa statement on the pack.
ALDI / Biscotto
Biscotto Chocoladekoekjes are designed for a plate with a selection of different chocolates.
- ALDI describes a 250 g pack containing 20 butter biscuits with dark, white and milk chocolate.
- This pack doesn’t contain dark chocolate only. Check the current pack for allergen information.
Verkade
Verkade’s dark chocolate letter is an extra St Nicholas’ treat, not a chocolate biscuit.
- Verkade states that its 135 g letter contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
- Don’t use that percentage to assess the cocoa content of biscuits. The letter may contain milk, hazelnut and almond.
Joybuy products to consider
For serving with chocolate and biscuits, you could consider dark chocolate digestives alongside a smaller pack of LU Scholiertje Chocolate. If a dark chocolate flavour or crisp biscuit texture is what matters most to you, check the description and product details on the exact pack, particularly for the Chocolate variety.
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McVitie's Digestives with Dark Chocolate 266 g
Dark chocolate digestives to consider for a plate of biscuits with coffee or tea. The pack contains 266 g. If the cocoa percentage matters to you, check the current label, and remember to check the allergens for your guests.
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LU Scholiertje Chocolate 150 g
A smaller pack to consider if you prefer to serve modest portions with coffee or tea. The pack contains 150 g. For this Chocolate variety, check whether the chocolate and biscuit base suit the dark flavour and crisp texture you’re looking for; if you have allergies, read the current label.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark chocolate’ in a biscuit automatically mean a high cocoa content?
No: the word ‘dark’ on its own doesn’t give you a cocoa solids percentage. Jumbo states that Chocolade Biscuits Puur contains 63% chocolate in the product, while Albert Heijn states that AH Gesuikerde biscuits have a coating of 27% dark chocolate. To find out the cocoa content of the chocolate used, you’ll need a separate statement on the exact pack.
Which allergens should I check when serving chocolate biscuits to guests?
Read the full allergen information on the current pack of every biscuit you choose. The product information discussed here includes wheat, milk and soya, and some products warn that they may contain nuts. Don’t rely on the front of the pack.
Is online product information enough if someone has an allergy?
No. Also check the packaging of the product you’re going to serve. Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and allergen information, among other details, may change, so if someone has a relevant allergy, it’s important to check the current information on the physical pack.
How should I store chocolate biscuits left over after St Nicholas’ Eve?
Follow the storage instructions on the specific pack. For its sugared biscuits, Albert Heijn recommends storing them in a sealed tin after opening. Jumbo advises sealing its Chocolade Biscuits Puur well and eating any remaining biscuits within a few days.