Dark chocolate lovers
You’re looking for a biscuit where the chocolate takes centre stage. Compare the proportion of chocolate in the whole biscuit, but check the chocolate’s cocoa percentage separately if that’s your main criterion.
Who are these biscuits for?
For sharing over coffee or tea
Whether you’re marking Valentine’s Day or having visitors, it’s worth checking how many biscuits are in the pack and how to store the rest after opening. A larger pack isn’t automatically more convenient for two people.
For shoppers who need to consider allergens
If you’re buying biscuits for someone else, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack. The products reviewed include ingredients such as wheat, milk and soya; warnings about possible cross-contamination vary by product.
What should you look for when choosing?
Before choosing biscuits for Valentine’s Day, decide whether the chocolate layer, sharing, a suitable quantity or the label matters most to you. A claim such as 63% chocolate describes the proportion of chocolate in the whole biscuit, not the cocoa content of that chocolate.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate layer and cocoa content | The proportion of chocolate in the biscuit and, if you want to choose based on it, the separately stated cocoa percentage. | I want the chocolate to be noticeable, but I don’t want to assume it has a high cocoa content just because it’s described as dark. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this flavour-led choice. |
| Sharing and presentation | The number of biscuits and whether they’re decorated, for example. | If I’m serving biscuits with coffee, I want to know whether there are enough for everyone and whether they suit the occasion. For around 27% of consumers, sharing is the main consideration. |
| Pack size | The net weight and storage advice after opening. | For a small gesture, I don’t want to open a bigger pack than we can finish. A suitable quantity is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens | The ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the physical pack. | If I’m buying for someone with a relevant allergy, the current label must meet their requirements. Around 20% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing the chocolate percentage with the cocoa percentage
Jumbo states that its Dark Chocolate Biscuits contain 63% chocolate in the product. This doesn’t mean that the chocolate itself is 63% cocoa, so you can’t use it to compare how bitter these biscuits are with others.
Use the chocolate proportion to assess the balance between the chocolate and the biscuit. If you specifically want to choose by cocoa content, look for a separate cocoa percentage on the label.
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Assuming dark chocolate is suitable for someone with an allergy
A layer of dark chocolate doesn’t rule out ingredients such as milk, wheat or soya. Warnings about possible cross-contamination can also vary from pack to pack.
Before giving or sharing the biscuits, read the current physical label and bear in mind the requirements of the person you’re buying for.
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Assuming products with similar names are the same biscuit
Biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour, biscuits with a dark chocolate layer and assorted chocolate varieties aren’t necessarily interchangeable.
When you buy, check the type of biscuit, ingredients and packaging of the exact variety you’ve chosen.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo’s own-brand range includes several dark chocolate biscuits, from a compact pack of chocolate biscuits to cookies and digestives.
- According to Jumbo, its Dark Chocolate Biscuits contain 63% chocolate in the whole biscuit, with nine biscuits in a 125 g pack.
- That percentage isn’t the cocoa percentage; check the allergens for the variety you choose.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s own-brand sugar-coated biscuits combine a layer of dark chocolate with decorative sugar.
- Albert Heijn lists this variety as a 400 g pack, with a 27% dark chocolate layer and 6% decorative sugar.
- The decorative sugar is an important difference if you’re specifically looking for a biscuit without a sweet topping.
McVitie's
McVitie's offers a wheat digestive with a layer of dark chocolate in this selection.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, the Digestives Dark Chocolate contain 30% dark chocolate and come in a 266 g pack.
- The product information lists milk, soya and wheat as allergens; 30% describes the chocolate proportion, not the cocoa content.
Biscotto
Biscotto is an ALDI biscuit brand with products including chocolate biscuits and digestives.
- The chocolate biscuits described by ALDI come in a 250 g pack of 20, individually wrapped in pairs.
- The pack contains dark, white and milk chocolate varieties, so it isn’t an all-dark chocolate option.
Sondey
Sondey is a Lidl biscuit and snack brand with a variety of biscuits.
- The range includes several types of biscuits to explore individually.
- For a specific Sondey biscuit, check whether it actually contains dark chocolate; the brand name doesn’t tell you anything about its cocoa content.
Biscuits for a dark chocolate moment
These Joybuy products are digestives and cookies with dark chocolate or a dark chocolate flavour. Choose between a chocolate layer and a chocolate-flavoured biscuit based on the product description; the two terms don’t mean the same thing.
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McVitie's Digestives with dark chocolate, 266 g
For anyone looking for a wheat digestive with a chocolate layer. The product information for this variety states that the biscuit contains 30% dark chocolate; this isn’t the cocoa percentage of the chocolate.
Before buying, check the current label for wheat, milk, soya and any additional warnings.
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quduoduo Chunky Cookies with dark chocolate flavour, 72 g
A small pack of cookies for anyone looking for a dark chocolate flavour. The term ‘chocolate flavour’ doesn’t tell you how much cocoa the biscuits contain; check the label if that will affect your choice.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information if you’re sharing the biscuits with someone.
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Franzzi Premium Cookies with dark chocolate flavour, 70 g
A 70 g pack for a small biscuit break. If you’re looking for a chocolate layer or a particular cocoa content, you can’t tell from the description ‘dark chocolate flavour’ alone.
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Franzzi Mellow Cookies with dark chocolate flavour, 115 g
This Mellow variety comes in a 115 g pack. If you’re sharing, compare the quantity with the number of people and check the ingredients on the pack if a chocolate layer or a specific cocoa content matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ mean a biscuit contains a lot of cocoa?
No, not unless the cocoa content is stated separately. The percentages listed by Jumbo, McVitie's and Albert Heijn for the biscuits discussed refer to the proportion of chocolate in the whole product. Check the label if you want to know the cocoa percentage of the chocolate.
Which allergens should I check when giving biscuits as a gift?
Always read the current label for the variety you’ve chosen. The biscuits discussed include ingredients such as wheat, milk and soya; also look for warnings about possible cross-contamination and make sure your choice meets the recipient’s requirements.
How should I store biscuits after opening them, until it’s time to share?
Follow the storage advice on the pack and seal opened biscuits well. For the varieties discussed, Jumbo and Albert Heijn’s product information recommends storing them in a cool, dry, dark place.
Is online ingredients information enough if I’m buying for someone else?
Use it to help you choose, but check the physical packaging before giving or sharing the biscuits. Ingredients and allergen information can change when a product is updated.