If you’re stocking up on dark chocolate flakes, you can compare the standard options from De Ruijter, AH and PLUS if a minimum of 32% cocoa solids is enough for you. If you’d prefer a higher stated minimum, De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur, with at least 40%, is another option, although that percentage doesn’t guarantee a particular taste. Before you stock up, also check the allergens and best-before date, and make sure you can store the packs somewhere cool, dark and dry.
If you choose mainly by the cocoa content, compare the minimum stated on the pack. For the standard dark flakes reviewed, Albert Heijn lists at least 32% cocoa solids, and at least 40% for Royaal Extra Puur. Tasting the flakes is a different matter from comparing percentages.
If you use chocolate flakes often, check which pack size suits your usage. Check the best-before date and choose somewhere you can store the packs according to the label and reseal them properly once opened.
Allergen information differs between the dark flakes reviewed. De Ruijter lists soya and possible traces of milk; AH lists milk and lactose; PLUS lists possible traces of milk and lactose. So check the label on the pack you’re buying every time.
First, check that the ingredients and allergen information meet your requirements. Then compare the minimum cocoa content, storage instructions and a pack size you can use up.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa content | Compare the minimum cocoa solids stated on packs of chocolate flakes. The standard dark varieties reviewed list at least 32%; De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur lists at least 40%. | I want flakes with a higher stated minimum cocoa content for my stock, but I don’t want to judge the taste by the percentage alone. For around 33% of consumers, cocoa content would be the main consideration. |
| Storage | Check the best-before date, storage instructions and whether the pack can be resealed properly after opening. | If I’m stocking up on several packs, I want to store them away from heat, light and moisture, and use the oldest first. Storage would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information; the word ‘dark’ doesn’t mean a product is free from milk or soya. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, a pack is only worth adding to my stock if its label meets my requirements. For around 20% of consumers, this would be their first consideration. |
| Pack size | Compare the amount with your usage and the best-before date. The AH and PLUS own-brand packs reviewed contain 300 g; the De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur listed by PLUS contains 240 g. | I want to have enough in stock without leaving an opened pack unused for too long. The right quantity would be the most important factor for around 20% of consumers. |
The standard dark flakes reviewed list at least 32% cocoa solids; De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur lists at least 40%. So the product name alone doesn’t tell you the minimum stated on the pack.
Compare the percentage on chocolate flakes of the same type, and also check the ingredients if they matter to your choice.
For the dark chocolate flakes reviewed, AH lists milk and lactose. De Ruijter lists soya and possible traces of milk; PLUS lists possible traces of milk and lactose.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack before every purchase, even if you’ve bought the same product before.
Keeping a large stock requires a suitable storage space and packs that you can reseal carefully after use. Storage advice and best-before dates can vary by product.
Store the packs according to the label, put new packs behind older ones and choose an amount that suits your usage.
If you use the flakes slowly, an opened pack will stay in use for longer, so you’ll need to take care to reseal it each time.
The standard dark chocolate flakes reviewed and Royaal Extra Puur have two different stated minimum cocoa contents.
The AH own-brand product reviewed is a 300 g pack of dark chocolate flakes.
The PLUS own-brand product reviewed is a 300 g pack of dark chocolate flakes; PLUS also lists 240 g packs of De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur.
Krokovlokken puur & vanillesmaak is a mixed variety, not a pack containing only dark chocolate flakes.
No, compare the percentage for each product. For the standard dark flakes from De Ruijter reviewed, Albert Heijn lists at least 32% cocoa solids; for De Ruijter Royaal Extra Puur, it lists at least 40%. Check the current information on the pack you’re buying.
Follow the storage advice on the pack and reseal opened packaging carefully. The product listings reviewed recommend storing the flakes somewhere cool and dry; the AH and PLUS own-brand flakes are also described as needing to be kept in a dark place. Check the best-before date before buying several packs.
No, the word ‘dark’ isn’t enough to tell you that. The AH variety reviewed contains milk and lactose, while the De Ruijter and PLUS varieties reviewed are listed as possibly containing milk. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergens must be listed on the label.
