If you want a truly savoury breakfast without sweet spreads, dark chocolate flakes aren’t the answer: the dark varieties we looked at are still sweet sandwich toppings. If you’re mainly after a more pronounced cocoa flavour and are happy with a sweet spread, compare the cocoa content of the exact variety and check the nutritional information and allergen details on the packaging.
You’re looking for a topping without a sweet chocolate flavour. Dark chocolate flakes don’t meet that need; hummus or another savoury topping is a different product choice, not a flavour variation of chocolate flakes.
You’re happy to have a sweet spread with your breakfast but want to compare dark varieties. Check the stated cocoa content of the exact product, but don’t assume that it tells you how it will taste to you.
You want to compare sugars and fats for the same quantity, or need to take allergens into account. Check the nutritional information and the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy.
First, decide whether savoury really means non-sweet to you. Only compare dark chocolate products if a sweet spread suits your breakfast.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Eating something truly savoury | Decide whether you want to rule out sweet chocolate toppings. If so, choose another type of topping, such as egg or hummus. | If I don’t want a sweet topping with breakfast, dark flakes don’t solve my problem; around 36% of consumers prioritise suitability for a savoury breakfast. |
| Cocoa content | Compare the stated minimum cocoa content of the exact variety. Don’t treat the percentage as a measure of flavour. | If I’m happy with a sweet spread but mainly want a product with clearly stated cocoa content, this is my top priority; around 29% of consumers care most about this choice. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare sugars and saturated fat per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. | If I need to check ingredients or allergens, the label tells me whether a variety is suitable; around 21% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
| Packaging and where it’s sold | Check the pack size and where you can buy the product. Lidl lists its 300 g dark chocolate flakes as available in store only. | If I want to shop online or am looking for a particular pack size, I need to be able to buy the product through my preferred channel; around 14% of consumers put this first. |
Dark chocolate flakes are still a sweet topping. Jumbo lists 56 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur and 63.7 g per 100 g for Jumbo Chocolade Vlokken Puur.
First decide whether you want a sweet topping. For a truly savoury breakfast, choose a different type of topping; for a sweet breakfast, compare the nutritional information of the varieties you’re considering.
According to Jumbo’s product information, De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur contains at least 40% cocoa solids, while Jumbo Puur contains at least 35%. PLUS states that its Puur contains at least 32%. These figures don’t tell you how the products will taste to you.
Always compare the exact variety and use the same basis, such as per 100 g, when comparing nutritional values too.
The allergen information varies between the products we looked at. De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur contains soya and may contain milk; PLUS Puur may contain milk and lactose.
If you have an allergy or intolerance, read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you’re actually buying, even if the front of the pack highlights a different ingredient.
Offers several dark chocolate flakes, including Puur, Royaal Extra Puur and Intens Puur. Don’t compare these names as if they all refer to the same recipe.
Its own-brand Chocolade Vlokken Puur comes in a 300 g pack.
Its own-brand Chocoladevlokken Puur Fairtrade comes in a 300 g pack.
ALDI Netherlands lists Kiekeboe milk or dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack.
Lidl Netherlands lists Chocoladevlokken Puur in a 300 g pack.
Hummus is included here as an alternative topping for a truly savoury breakfast. The two De Ruijter products are chocolate sprinkles for anyone who wants a sweet chocolate topping instead; they aren’t savoury options or the same type of product as chocolate flakes.
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A different type of topping for anyone who wants a savoury rather than chocolate-sweet breakfast. If you have allergies, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
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For anyone who wants a sweet chocolate topping rather than a savoury breakfast. These are chocolate sprinkles, not chocolate flakes; if nutritional information and allergens affect your choice, compare the details on the packaging.
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A dark chocolate variety for anyone who is happy to have sweet sprinkles with breakfast. If you want to compare products by cocoa content or sugars, first check the label for the figures for this exact variety.
Not if by savoury you mean that you don’t want a sweet topping. The dark chocolate flakes we looked at are sweet sandwich toppings; egg or hummus is a different, savoury choice, not a chocolate-flavoured variety.
No, the term extra dark doesn’t mean that. Jumbo lists 56 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur; check the nutritional information for each variety rather than relying on its name or cocoa content alone.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re buying. The dark varieties we looked at list, among other things, soya and possible traces of milk; the information varies by product.
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the packaging. Jumbo’s product information for the Jumbo and De Ruijter varieties we looked at recommends storing them in a cool, dry place and closing the pack after use.
No, this varies by product. Lidl Netherlands lists its 300 g Chocoladevlokken Puur as available in store only, so check the ordering options currently offered by the retailer you want to buy from.
