Adults looking for a dark chocolate flavour
Want flakes for a shared holiday snack, but prefer a more pronounced cocoa flavour yourself? Compare the minimum cocoa content on the label, but don’t treat it as a taste test.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families using flakes as a topping
For a treat on bread or yoghurt, both the amount you use and the rest of the meal matter. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends not eating sweet chocolate sandwich spread too much or too often.
Label checkers
When comparing different packs, check the ingredients, allergens, pack size and current availability as well as the cocoa content. These details can vary between products.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the feature that matters most for your snack: the dark chocolate flavour, the portion size or whether the specific pack suits your household.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Dark cocoa flavour | Compare the stated minimum cocoa solids content. Jumbo lists 40% for De Ruijter Royaal and 35% for Jumbo Puur; Albert Heijn and PLUS list 32% for their respective dark varieties. | If I’m looking for a more pronounced dark chocolate flavour for adults, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘dark’ alone. Cocoa content is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Portion size and nutritional information | Check the suggested portion size and compare sugars and saturated fat per 100 g on the pack you choose. | When adding a treat to bread or yoghurt, I want to be able to decide how many flakes to use. Portion size and nutritional information are the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Label and availability | Read the ingredients and allergen declaration for the variety you’ve chosen, and check that it’s available. | If I’m bringing flakes home for the family, I want to know whether the label suits our needs and whether I can buy that variety. Around 30% of consumers put these practical checks first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means ‘low in sugar’
A higher cocoa content doesn’t tell you how much sugar the flakes you’ve chosen contain. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also highlights sugar and saturated fat in chocolate sandwich spread.
Compare the nutritional information for the exact variety you’re choosing, and decide how much to use as a topping.
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Assuming dark flakes are dairy-free
Albert Heijn lists milk and lactose in its dark chocolate flakes; for the varieties listed, Jumbo and PLUS state that they may contain milk. ‘Contains’ and ‘may contain’ are not the same warning.
If you have a relevant allergy or intolerance, read the ingredients and allergen declaration on the pack, even if the product is described as ‘dark’.
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Assuming the highest cocoa percentage guarantees the best taste
A stated minimum makes products comparable on that measure, but it doesn’t prove which flakes someone will enjoy most.
Use the percentage as one factor when choosing, and take into account the taste preferences of everyone sharing the snack.
Brands to compare
De Ruijter
Among the dark varieties listed, you can compare different stated minimum cocoa contents.
- According to Jumbo, Vlokken Puur contains at least 32% cocoa solids, while Vlokken Royaal contains at least 40%.
- Vlokken Puur lists soya and possible traces of milk. Check current availability and the label for Royaal too.
Albert Heijn
Dark chocolate flakes in a 300 g pack, with a stated minimum of 32% cocoa solids.
- The minimum cocoa content is listed on Albert Heijn’s product page.
- The ingredients include whole milk powder; the allergy information lists milk and lactose.
Jumbo
The dark own-brand flakes listed come in a 300 g pack and contain at least 35% cocoa solids.
- The stated minimum cocoa content gives you a clear point of comparison with other dark varieties.
- Jumbo lists 63.7 g of sugars per 100 g and warns that the product may contain milk.
PLUS
A 300 g pack of dark chocolate flakes for which PLUS lists a minimum of 32% cocoa solids.
- The product information mentions Fairtrade cocoa.
- PLUS states that the product may contain milk and lactose. If you have an allergy, a vegan label doesn’t replace checking this warning.
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
ALDI lists a 300 g Kiekeboe variety in milk or dark chocolate.
- ALDI states on the product page that it is Rainforest Alliance certified.
- If you want to compare the cocoa content or ingredients of the dark variety, check the label in store.
Dark flakes for a holiday snack
If you’re looking for dark chocolate flakes to top a snack, the De Ruijter Intense pack below may suit you. Also compare the nutritional information and allergens on the current label before choosing.
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De Ruijter Intense dark chocolate flakes 200 g
For anyone who wants to use dark chocolate flakes as a topping, for example on yoghurt or porridge. The pack contains 200 g.
Before use, check the nutritional information and allergen declaration on the pack you’ve chosen.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ mean chocolate flakes are suitable for eating every day?
No. The word ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you how often or how much you should eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends not eating chocolate sandwich spread too much or too often, partly because of its sugar and saturated fat content. Check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion for the flakes you choose.
Can I use dark chocolate flakes if I have a milk allergy?
Don’t rely on the word ‘dark’: Albert Heijn lists milk in the variety mentioned, while Jumbo and PLUS warn that their listed dark flakes may contain milk. Check the allergen declaration on the specific pack before using it.
How should I store chocolate flakes during the school holidays?
Store them in a cool, dry, dark place and reseal the pack after use. Also check the storage instructions and best-before date on the pack.
What can I serve flakes with at a child’s breakfast or lunch?
Use flakes as a small topping rather than a replacement for the main part of the meal. For children’s breakfast and lunch, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends choosing mainly foods from the Wheel of Five, including wholemeal bread.
Should I check availability just before buying?
Yes, check whether the variety you want is available at the time. For example, Jumbo’s product page for De Ruijter Vlokken Royaal said that it was no longer part of its online range; this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s unavailable from other retailers.