Start by choosing the type of chocolate: a biscuit coated in dark chocolate is different from a cookie with chocolate chips. A stated percentage can help you choose, but it doesn’t necessarily tell you how much cocoa the chocolate contains or how intense the whole biscuit will taste. If you’re sharing a drink, consider the pack size and portions too, and always check the current packaging if you have allergies.
You want to know how much dark chocolate a biscuit contains when enjoying it with coffee or another drink, rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ alone. Bear in mind that the proportion of dark chocolate isn’t the same as the cocoa percentage of that chocolate.
You’re putting biscuits out for several people and want to know how many are in the pack and how the portions are arranged. A larger pack isn’t automatically more practical if you’re left with lots of biscuits after your drinks.
You’re buying for yourself or someone else with an allergy and need to check the ingredients and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. The product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and McVitie's lists ingredients including wheat, milk or soya in the biscuits discussed here. Always check the label on the pack you buy.
First decide whether you want a chocolate coating, chocolate chips or simply a biscuit that’s easy to share. Then check the pack for any information that’s especially important for your group.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Type of chocolate | Check whether the stated percentage refers to the dark chocolate in the biscuit, the chocolate chips or a coating. Look separately for a cocoa percentage if that’s what will determine your choice. | With coffee, I mainly want to know what part the dark chocolate plays in the biscuit, without treating different percentages as if they measure the same thing. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Quantity | Compare the net weight and, if stated, the number of portions with the number of people sharing. | When I put biscuits out for a group, I want to have enough without being left with an awkward amount. Around 31% of consumers prioritise quantity. |
| Taking them with you and storage | Check the portion size, whether the biscuits are individually wrapped and the storage instructions after opening. | I’d rather take a few biscuits with me than carry an opened pack that’s difficult to store. Convenience matters most to around 23% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, including any relevant ‘may contain’ warnings. | If I’m buying for someone with an allergy, I need to be able to check the label before we eat the biscuits. This is the top priority for around 15% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn states that AH Zaans huisje contains 63% dark chocolate, Jumbo lists 40% dark chocolate chips in its Chocolate Cookies, and McVitie's product information describes a 30% dark chocolate coating on its Digestives. These percentages refer to different parts of the biscuit, so they aren’t directly comparable cocoa percentages.
First decide whether you want a coating, chocolate chips or a biscuit with a stated proportion of dark chocolate. Check the cocoa percentage separately if it matters to you.
‘Dark chocolate’ doesn’t tell you whether a biscuit contains wheat, milk or soya. Warnings about the possible presence of other allergens also vary from product to product.
Read the current label before eating, even if you’ve already checked the ingredients online. If you have an allergy, take any warnings about possible cross-contamination into account.
AH Zaans huisje dark chocolate is a butter biscuit for anyone looking for a product with a clearly stated proportion of dark chocolate.
Jumbo Chocolate Cookies with Dark Chocolate Chips are crunchy cookies for anyone who likes chocolate chips in their biscuits.
Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy, caramelised biscuit that goes well with coffee. It offers a different flavour from a biscuit with dark chocolate.
These biscuits go well with a drink and offer either a dark chocolate coating or a dark chocolate flavour. Choose McVitie's Digestives if you specifically want a biscuit with a stated dark chocolate coating. For products described as having a ‘chocolate flavour’, check the ingredients separately if the chocolate itself is an important factor for you.
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For anyone who wants a wheat biscuit with a dark chocolate coating to enjoy with a drink. McVitie's states that this variety contains 30% dark chocolate; this isn’t the cocoa percentage of the chocolate. If you have allergies, check the current packaging for ingredients including wheat, milk and soya.
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For anyone looking for a small pack of dark chocolate-flavoured cookies to enjoy with tea or another drink. The flavour description doesn’t specify a cocoa percentage; check the current ingredients list if the chocolate itself matters to you. If you have allergies, also check the information about wheat, milk and egg.
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For anyone who wants to take some dark chocolate-flavoured cookies along to enjoy with a drink. The product information says they’re individually wrapped. Check the current packaging to find out what type of chocolate is used, and if you have allergies, check the information about wheat, soya and milk.
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For anyone looking for a pack of chunky cookies with a dark chocolate flavour to enjoy with a drink. The flavour in the product name doesn’t confirm what type of chocolate is used; check the ingredients if you specifically want dark chocolate. If you have allergies, also check the current information about wheat, soya and milk.
No. The words ‘dark chocolate’ don’t tell you the cocoa percentage on their own. Albert Heijn states that AH Zaans huisje contains 63% dark chocolate, Jumbo lists 40% dark chocolate chips in its Chocolate Cookies, and McVitie's product information describes a 30% dark chocolate coating on its Digestives. Check what each percentage refers to, and look for the cocoa percentage separately if that will determine your choice.
Read the allergen information on the current packaging, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination that are relevant to you. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens which must be declared should be clearly highlighted on the label. The product information discussed here lists ingredients including wheat, milk and soya, but the information varies from one biscuit to another.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the biscuits you choose. Jumbo recommends sealing its Chocolate Cookies tightly after opening, while Albert Heijn recommends storing AH Zaans huisje in a closed tin. Check the instructions before keeping an opened pack for another drink.
Not if dark chocolate is a must. Lotus Bakeries describes Biscoff as a crunchy, caramelised biscuit to enjoy with coffee. Choose it for that flavour profile, and check the specific packaging if you’re looking for chocolate.
