If you want a distinctly dark flavour for bread or a topping to take with you, compare the minimum cocoa content of the specific variety: Albert Heijn lists 32% for De Ruijter Puur, Jumbo lists 35% for Jumbo Puur, and Albert Heijn lists 40% for De Ruijter Royaal extra puur. That percentage alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar the flakes contain. Check the nutritional information and allergen details too, and choose packaging you can keep cool and dry during your journey.
If you want to take flakes with you for a sandwich or as a topping, compare the stated minimum cocoa content of the specific varieties. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo gives figures of 32%, 35% and 40% for the examples reviewed; the number alone won’t tell you exactly how they taste.
If you’re taking enough for several sandwiches or snacks, the pack size matters, as does whether you can seal the pack properly after use. Check the storage advice too: the product information reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, among others, says to store in a cool, dry place.
If you want to compare ingredients, allergens, sugar or saturated fat, check the nutritional information for your chosen variety per 100 g, and read the label on the pack before use.
Decide whether flavour, how you’ll transport them or the label information matters most for your car journey. Then compare the exact varieties: the word ‘dark’ alone doesn’t mean they have the same cocoa content or ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa and flavour | Compare the minimum percentage of cocoa solids on the pack of the variety you’ve chosen; the word ‘dark’ doesn’t indicate a fixed percentage. | If I’m specifically looking for a dark variety for a sandwich on the go, I want to know the minimum cocoa content stated by the manufacturer. For around 40% of consumers, flavour is the main consideration. |
| Packaging and transport | Check the pack size and whether you can seal the flakes after opening and store them somewhere cool and dry. | If I’m taking enough for several snacks, I want to avoid leaving an open box to get warm in the car. Around 30% of consumers say this practical consideration is their main priority. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the allergen information and compare sugar and saturated fat on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | If I need to consider ingredients or how many flakes I add to my snack, I start by checking the current label. An estimated 30% of consumers put this need for clear labelling first. |
The varieties reviewed have different stated minimum cocoa contents: Albert Heijn and Jumbo list 32%, 35% and 40% cocoa solids. These are product details, not the results of a taste test.
Check the percentage on the label of the exact variety you’re buying, rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ alone.
The packaging alone won’t tell you how much sugar or saturated fat the flakes contain per 100 g. Nutritional values vary between the products reviewed.
As well as checking the pack size, read the nutrition table and decide how many flakes you want to use as a filling or topping.
Ingredients and warnings such as ‘may contain’ can vary between varieties. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on the label.
Before use, read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ve actually bought.
The product information reviewed recommends storing the flakes in a cool, dry place. Direct sunlight or a warm car is not in keeping with that advice.
Reseal the pack after use and keep it out of the sun in a cool, dry place during your journey.
For anyone wanting to compare the stated cocoa content of different varieties from the same brand.
An own-brand option if you’re looking for a 300 g pack of dark chocolate flakes.
A 300 g dark variety if you want to compare its stated cocoa content with other products.
A 300 g variety of dark chocolate flakes with a Fairtrade statement for the cocoa.
A supermarket option if you’re looking for Kiekeboe chocolate flakes in a dark variety.
A supermarket option if you want to buy dark chocolate flakes for your journey.
This selection includes dark chocolate sprinkles and a separate Chocolate Chunks variety. Check each pack to see which form you’d like to use as a topping for bread or other food, and how to store it during your car journey.
Image unavailable
A 200 g pack for anyone wanting to take a dark chocolate variety with them. Store the flakes in a cool, dry place, and if you have an allergy, check the ingredients on the current label.
Image unavailable
For anyone who wants to take chocolate chunks as a topping rather than the usual flakes. The pack contains 390 g; check the label if you need a specific cocoa content or particular ingredients to make your choice.
Image unavailable
A 390 g pack for anyone looking for dark chocolate sprinkles. If cocoa intensity is your main consideration, check the cocoa percentage for this variety on the label. Store the pack in a cool, dry place.
No. You can’t tell that from the term ‘extra dark’ or the cocoa percentage alone. Compare the sugar and saturated fat per 100 g on the labels of the varieties you’re considering, and think about how much you’ll use as a filling or topping.
Take them in a well-sealed pack and keep it cool, dry and out of direct sunlight. The product information reviewed from Albert Heijn and Jumbo, among others, recommends storing them in a cool, dry place; make sure the pack is properly closed after opening.
Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the pack of the exact variety you’re buying. The product information reviewed mentions milk, soya and warnings about the possible presence of milk, so don’t rely on the word ‘dark’ alone.
If you choose flakes, you could use them as a topping on bread rather than making them the only part of your snack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a snack option; you can decide which combination and portion you’d like to take with you.
