Fans of a pronounced chocolate flavour
You’re looking for a dark chocolate topping for Sunday breakfast and consider the described flavour and flake size important when choosing.
Who might like dark chocolate flakes?
Shoppers looking for standard dark flakes
You want dark chocolate flakes for bread, yoghurt or porridge, and pay attention to the pack size and how much you use.
People who check allergens
You need to know what the label says about ingredients such as soya, milk and lactose before using the flakes. The word ‘dark’ is no substitute for checking.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re mainly looking for a particular flavour and flake shape. Then compare the nutritional information, pack size and allergens of the products you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and flake shape | Read the product description and check that it’s flakes; look for any stated cocoa percentage on the packaging. | If you want a dark chocolate flavour and larger flakes, the flavour description may carry considerable weight. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this type of flavour. |
| Nutritional value and portion size | Compare sugars and saturated fat per 100 g, and consider how much you use at breakfast. | If you want to tailor the amount of sweet topping to your breakfast, look beyond the word ‘dark’. For around 30% of consumers, nutritional information is their first consideration. |
| Pack size | Check the weight of the pack and choose a size that suits how you use the product. | If you only use flakes occasionally, you may want to choose a suitable pack size. Pack size is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If you need to avoid an ingredient, the label should make this clear before you use the flakes. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this check. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming ‘dark’ means ‘low in sugar’
PLUS lists 63.8 g of sugars and 9.4 g of saturated fat per 100 g for its dark chocolate flakes. The product name therefore doesn’t tell you the nutritional values of a specific pack.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and consider how much you’ll actually use.
-
Assuming dark flakes don’t contain milk or soya
According to the product information from PLUS, De Ruijter Royaal contains soya and may contain milk. Milk and lactose are listed as possible allergens for PLUS’s dark flakes.
Before using the product, check the current allergen information on the packaging, even if it says ‘dark’.
-
Mistaking a flavour description for a taste test
PLUS describes De Ruijter Royaal as extra-dark and intended for people who enjoy an intense chocolate flavour. This describes how the product is positioned, not how every consumer will experience it.
Use the description to guide your choice of flavour, and check the ingredients and nutritional information too.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
The Royaal variety is worth considering if you’re looking for extra-dark, larger flakes for Sunday breakfast.
- PLUS describes De Ruijter Royaal as extra-dark and extra-large; the pack contains 240 g.
- The stated flavour intensity isn’t an independent taste assessment. The product information lists soya and says it may contain milk.
PLUS
PLUS dark chocolate flakes offer a standard dark variety in a 300 g pack.
- PLUS states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
- Check the current allergen information; according to the product details, the flakes may contain milk and lactose.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists its own dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.
- The product name and pack size make this variety easy to identify when comparing dark flakes.
- Check the packaging if the ingredients or allergens will affect your choice.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists both AH Dark Chocolate Flakes and De Ruijter Royaal Extra Dark in its range.
- You can compare the product names of a standard dark variety and an extra-dark option side by side.
- Albert Heijn notes that product information can change; check the packaging for the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Breakfast products
These dark chocolate toppings are options if you’re looking for something to spread or sprinkle on your Sunday breakfast. If you specifically want chocolate flakes rather than chocolate vermicelli, check the product format before choosing.
Image unavailable
De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
An option if you’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles for breakfast. The pack contains 200 g; check the product format and the latest ingredients and allergen information if these matter to your choice.
Image unavailable
De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure 390 g
Dark chocolate vermicelli for anyone considering a different type of chocolate topping. These aren’t chocolate flakes; the pack contains 390 g. Check the label if the cocoa content or allergens will affect your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ mean that chocolate flakes are low in sugar?
No. The word ‘dark’ doesn’t indicate the sugar content. PLUS lists 63.8 g of sugars per 100 g for its dark chocolate flakes and 56 g per 100 g for De Ruijter Royaal. Compare the nutritional information for the product you plan to use.
Can I use dark chocolate flakes if I need to avoid milk or soya?
Don’t assume they’re suitable just because they’re described as ‘dark’. According to the product information from PLUS, De Ruijter Royaal contains soya and may contain milk; PLUS’s dark flakes may contain milk and lactose. Before using the product, check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.
How should I store chocolate flakes after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal it well after use. PLUS advises storing its dark flakes in a cool, dry, dark place; for De Ruijter Royaal, PLUS recommends storing them in a cool, dry place.
Is the ingredients information on a product page always up to date?
Use the product page as a guide when choosing, but check the packaging before use. PLUS and Albert Heijn state that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change.