When choosing dark chocolate sprinkles for your lunch, don’t go by the variety name alone. Compare the stated cocoa content, sugars per 100 g and ingredients of the exact pack you’re buying. A larger pack is most suitable if you’ll use it before its best-before date; if you have allergies, always check the current label.
If you want a dark variety for a sandwich you’re taking with you, compare the stated cocoa content and ingredients rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ alone. Albert Heijn and Jumbo give a specific cocoa percentage for some varieties.
If you want to compare different dark varieties, check the sugars per 100 g as well as how much you use. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sugar levels can vary between brands.
If you regularly use chocolate sprinkles on lunch sandwiches, pack size may also matter. Compare the pack contents and best-before date, while keeping an eye on differences in recipes and allergens.
Decide what matters most for your lunch: a stated cocoa content, the amount of sugars or a pack size you’ll actually use up. Then compare like for like, as ‘dark’ doesn’t mean there’s one standard recipe.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa content | Check the stated percentage of cocoa solids and the ingredients for the exact variety. A percentage isn’t a measure of flavour. | If I mainly want to choose my lunch topping by its cocoa profile, a specific percentage is more useful than a name that simply sounds dark. This cocoa-led choice is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Sugars | Compare sugars per 100 g in the nutritional information, and also consider how much chocolate sprinkles you use on each sandwich. | When sugar is my first selection criterion, I want to be able to compare the nutritional information on the packs I’m considering. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Pack size | Check the net weight, best-before date and storage instructions; if you like, compare the current price per kilo too. | If I use chocolate sprinkles regularly at home, I want to choose a pack I can finish in time. Around 30% of consumers put this decision about pack size and stocking up first. |
Jumbo’s product information states at least 50% cocoa solids for a 200 g dark variety and at least 32% for a regular 600 g dark variety. So the name alone won’t tell you what percentage is in your pack.
Check the cocoa content, sugars per 100 g and ingredients of the variety you want to buy.
Albert Heijn lists milk and soya among the ingredients of De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Sprinkles. The word ‘dark’ is no substitute for allergen information.
If you have an allergy, always read the current label on the exact pack.
A larger pack may have a different recipe from a smaller one. For example, Jumbo’s tested 200 g and 600 g dark varieties also have different cocoa and sugar levels.
Compare pack size alongside the nutritional information, best-before date and storage instructions.
A large pack also needs enough space for storage in line with the instructions, and offers little practical benefit if you won’t use it all.
A brand offering regular dark chocolate sprinkles as well as separately named extra dark varieties.
A 400 g variety of dark chocolate sprinkles to compare as a separate product.
A supermarket own brand offering dark chocolate sprinkles and a separately named ‘dark, less sugar’ variety.
A supermarket own brand with tested dark varieties in both 200 g and 600 g packs.
A 600 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles listed by ALDI.
A 600 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles listed by Lidl for in-store sale.
This selection includes dark chocolate sprinkles in different pack sizes and one pack of dark flakes. Flakes aren’t the same as sprinkles: first choose which product you want for your lunch sandwich, then compare the information on the packaging.
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A 200 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles to consider if you’re looking for a topping for lunch sandwiches. Before comparing this variety with other packs, check the current label for cocoa content, sugars per 100 g and allergens.
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This 300 g pack is an option if you want dark flakes for your sandwich, rather than sprinkles specifically. If you’re choosing between the two product types, compare the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the packaging.
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This 390 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles is a good option if you want to keep enough at home for several lunch sandwiches. If cocoa content, sugars or allergens are important to your choice, compare the current label with those of other varieties.
No, compare the figures for each variety. Jumbo states that its 200 g dark variety contains at least 50% cocoa solids and 43.1 g sugars per 100 g, compared with at least 32% and 65.8 g per 100 g for its regular 600 g dark variety.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen, and check the best-before date if you’re buying a large pack. Jumbo advises storing its tested dark varieties in a cool, dry place; for the 200 g variety, it also says to keep the pack away from light.
No, read the ingredients and allergens on the exact, current pack. Albert Heijn lists milk and soya among the ingredients of De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Sprinkles; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label.
Use the ingredients, allergens, net weight, best-before date and nutritional information to compare pre-packed chocolate sprinkles. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, these details must be on the label where applicable; a variety name is no substitute for this information.
