If you’re looking for dark chocolate flakes with a higher stated minimum cocoa content for New Year's Eve, compare De Ruijter Royaal extra puur (40%) with Jumbo Puur (35%) and PLUS Puur (32%), according to product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS. Also check the sugar content per 100 g and the allergens on the pack: a higher cocoa percentage alone doesn’t tell you how sweet the flakes will taste, and PLUS’s vegan label doesn’t rule out possible traces of milk.
If you’re serving dark chocolate flakes with a festive breakfast or dessert, compare the minimum cocoa solids percentage as well as the sugar content per 100 g. Albert Heijn lists a minimum of 40% cocoa for De Ruijter Royaal extra puur; Jumbo lists 35% for its dark flakes and PLUS 32%.
If you’re using flakes as a bread topping or to top food at different occasions, check how much is in each pack. The De Ruijter Royaal version reviewed here contains 240 g; the Jumbo and PLUS packs mentioned each contain 300 g.
If you need to take soy, milk or lactose into account when serving, check the current ingredients and allergen information. The products reviewed here differ; even a vegan label can appear on a pack that carries a warning about the possible presence of milk.
Start with the chocolate flavour you’re looking for, then check the sugar content, pack size and allergen information for the version you plan to serve.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa and sugars | Compare the minimum cocoa solids percentage and the sugar content per 100 g for the same version. | When making a dessert with dark chocolate flakes, I want to weigh up the cocoa flavour against the sugar content. This is a priority for around 44% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Check the net weight and work out how many packs you’ll need for the occasions you have planned. | If I’m putting out flakes for several guests, I want to know whether the pack contains enough. Around 33% of consumers prioritise having the right quantity. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and distinguish between ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’; consider any dietary label separately. | When guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to check what’s on the label first. For around 23% of consumers, this is the most important thing to consider. |
According to product information from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, the dark flakes compared here have minimum cocoa contents of 40%, 35% and 32% respectively. So the ‘dark’ label doesn’t mean these versions are all the same.
Check the cocoa solids percentage and sugar content per 100 g for the specific pack, rather than relying on the product name alone.
The PLUS flakes reviewed here carry a vegan label, but the product information also warns that milk and lactose may be present. A dietary label doesn’t replace the allergen information.
If you’re serving them to someone who needs to avoid milk, check the current information on the pack, including any warnings about possible presence.
A pack called ‘dark chocolate flakes’ doesn’t tell you the cocoa percentage, sugar content or allergens for that particular version.
For the Lidl and ALDI/Kiekeboe versions, check the information on the pack before comparing them with other flakes on these points.
The differences below apply to the specific product versions mentioned, not to a brand’s or shop’s entire range.
Albert Heijn lists a minimum of 32% cocoa solids for its standard dark chocolate flakes and a minimum of 40% for Royaal extra puur.
AH’s dark chocolate flakes come in a 300 g pack. Albert Heijn lists a minimum of 32% cocoa solids.
Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur is a 300 g version which, according to Jumbo, contains a minimum of 35% cocoa solids.
PLUS Chocoladevlokken puur is a 300 g version with Fairtrade Cocoa and vegan labels on the product page. PLUS lists a minimum of 32% cocoa solids.
ALDI lists Kiekeboe milk or dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.
Lidl lists 300 g packs of dark chocolate flakes as a supermarket product, without naming a brand.
These two De Ruijter products are options for topping breakfast or dessert around New Year's Eve. If you’re looking for a particular shape, note the difference between dark chocolate flakes and Chocolate Chunks.
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A pack of dark chocolate flakes for topping breakfast or dessert. The pack contains 200 g; check the current nutritional and allergen information before serving.
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A 390 g pack of chocolate pieces for anyone considering chunks as a topping. Compare their shape with regular chocolate flakes, and read the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
No. Albert Heijn lists a minimum of 40% cocoa for De Ruijter Royaal extra puur, Jumbo lists 35% for its dark flakes and PLUS lists 32% for its dark version. Check the minimum percentage on the pack you’re planning to buy.
No. The PLUS chocolate flakes reviewed here carry a vegan label, while the product information also says milk and lactose may be present. If you need to avoid milk, always check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, packaged foods in the Netherlands must carry a label identifying 14 allergens. Check the information on the specific pack, even when buying the flakes for guests.
According to their product information, store the De Ruijter, Jumbo and PLUS flakes reviewed here in a cool, dry, dark place and reseal the pack properly after use. For another product, follow the storage advice on its own pack.
