Fans of a pronounced cocoa flavour
If you want a clear cocoa note with a leisurely weekend breakfast, a stated percentage of cocoa solids gives you a more useful comparison point than the name ‘dark’ alone.
Who are these options relevant to?
Comparing sugars and sweeteners
If you want to compare sugar levels, check the nutritional information per 100 g and consider your usual portion size. For a sweetener-based option, the ingredients and warnings are important too.
Breakfast shoppers who need to check allergens
If you need to avoid milk, soya or possible traces of other ingredients, read the information on the specific pack. The word ‘dark’ tells you nothing about this.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with what matters most for your breakfast: a cocoa note, the recipe, allergens or a pack size that suits how much you use. Then check the details for the option you’ve chosen. A higher cocoa percentage, on its own, says nothing about the sugar content or allergens.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it’s most relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa content | Compare the stated percentage of cocoa solids for the specific options. | If I’m looking for a clear cocoa note, I want more to go on than the word ‘dark’ on the front of the pack. For around 29% of consumers, cocoa content comes first. |
| Sugars and sweeteners | Check the sugars per 100 g and the ingredients. For products containing polyols, also check the usage warning. | I want to know whether I’m putting a typical sugar-based recipe or a sweetener-based option on the table. Around 24% of consumers give this choice of recipe their highest priority. |
| Allergens | Check the current ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ statement on the pack. | If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to check the specific option. Allergen checks are the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Compare the weight in grams with how much you expect to use, the best-before date and the storage advice. | If I only use sprinkles for a few weekend breakfasts, I don’t want to choose a pack that will be left open for longer than intended. The right pack size is the first consideration for around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ always means the same cocoa content
Albert Heijn lists at least 52% cocoa solids for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur, while Jumbo lists at least 32% for Venz Puur. So the same category description doesn’t give you a consistent point of comparison.
If a pronounced cocoa note is your main criterion, look for the percentage on the pack. The percentage alone doesn’t guarantee a particular taste experience.
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Considering ‘less sugar’ without looking at the rest of the recipe
A different sugar content may go hand in hand with sweeteners. Jumbo also states that excessive consumption of Céréal Hagelslag Puur may have a laxative effect.
As well as the sugars per 100 g, read the ingredients and any warnings for the option you’re considering.
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Assuming ‘dark’ means there’s no milk or soya
The De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur and Venz Puur products reviewed list milk and soya. A flavour name is not reliable allergen information.
Before eating, check the current label on every pack you buy, even if you already know the brand.
Brands to consider
The details below apply to the options named, not automatically to a brand’s full range.
De Ruijter
The regular dark chocolate sprinkles and Specials Intens Puur offer different things to consider if you’re looking for a cocoa note.
- Albert Heijn lists at least 52% cocoa solids for Specials Intens Puur.
- Albert Heijn lists 64 g of sugars per 100 g for the regular 390 g dark option. Check the allergen information for each option too.
Venz
Venz Puur 400 g is a regular dark chocolate sprinkles option with a stated cocoa percentage.
- Jumbo lists at least 32% cocoa solids for Venz Puur.
- The option reviewed contains milk and soya. Check the rest of the allergen information on the current pack too.
Jumbo
Among the own-brand options reviewed, there’s a 200 g dark sprinkles option with a modified sugar recipe to compare.
- According to Jumbo, this option contains at least 30% less sugar than Jumbo hagelslag puur. This comparison applies to these two named products.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on each pack. The recipe may differ in another pack size.
Céréal
Céréal Hagelslag Puur is worth considering if you want to assess the sugar content alongside the use of sweeteners.
- The option described by Jumbo lists 7,7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g.
- The product lists soya and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. Check the full allergen information too.
Kiekeboe
Kiekeboe Puur is an own-brand option to look at if you’re after a larger pack.
- ALDI Nederland lists a pack size of 600 g and Rainforest Alliance cocoa for this option.
- Before buying, read the ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details on the pack you’ve chosen.
Products on Joybuy
For a weekend breakfast, you can compare two dark chocolate sprinkles options here, alongside g'woon Flakes Pure. For the latter, bear in mind the product type: flakes aren’t necessarily the same choice as sprinkles.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
An option to consider if you’re looking for a pronounced cocoa note for your weekend breakfast. Before choosing, compare the cocoa percentage, sugars per 100 g and allergens on the current pack.
Pack size: 200 g.
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g'woon Flakes Pure 300 g
Consider these flakes if the shape of the chocolate topping matters for your breakfast. Don’t rely on the word ‘dark’ alone: check the ingredients and nutritional information for this specific pack.
Pack size: 300 g.
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De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 390 g
Regular dark chocolate sprinkles to compare with an intense dark option. If cocoa content is your main criterion, look for the percentage on the current pack.
Pack size: 390 g. Albert Heijn lists 64 g of sugars per 100 g for the 390 g option. Check the allergens on the pack you buy too.
Frequently asked questions
Do dark chocolate sprinkles always have a high cocoa content?
No. Albert Heijn lists at least 52% cocoa solids for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur, while Jumbo lists at least 32% for Venz Puur. So compare the percentage for the specific options: ‘dark’ alone doesn’t tell you how much cocoa they contain.
Does ‘dark’ mean chocolate sprinkles contain less sugar?
No. Albert Heijn lists 64 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Chocoladehagel Puur 390 g. Compare the nutritional information for the options you’re considering. For products containing sweeteners, check the ingredients and usage warnings too.
Can I choose dark chocolate sprinkles if I need to avoid milk or soya?
Don’t base your choice on the word ‘dark’ alone. The De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur and Venz Puur products reviewed list milk and soya. Before using them, read the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack.
How should I store chocolate sprinkles after opening?
Follow the storage advice on the pack you’ve chosen and seal it properly after use. The product information reviewed for De Ruijter and Jumbo says to store in a cool, dry place. Jumbo also advises keeping its reduced-sugar option in a dark place.