Fans of a pronounced cocoa flavour
You’re looking for dark chocolate sprinkles for film night and want to compare the stated cocoa content rather than relying on a name such as ‘intense’.
Who is this comparison useful for?
Shoppers keeping an eye on sugar
You’re comparing sugars per 100 g and want to know which product a claim such as ‘less sugar’ is being compared with.
Shoppers buying a larger pack
You use the sprinkles for several film nights or as a topping, and want to check whether the pack size suits how you’ll use them.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing dark chocolate sprinkles for a film night, first decide what matters most to you: cocoa flavour, sugars, pack size or allergens. Then compare the information for the exact version you’re thinking of buying.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa content | The stated minimum percentage of cocoa solids for the exact version; also compare sugars per 100 g. | I want a pronounced cocoa flavour with my film and am looking for a product that clearly states its cocoa content. This flavour preference comes first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Sugars | Sugars per 100 g and the product used as the comparison for a ‘less sugar’ claim. | If I’m keeping an eye on sugar, I don’t want to rely only on the wording on the front of the pack. Sugar content is the first consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Pack size | The number of grams and whether the pack size suits how often you use the product. | For several film nights, I want a pack I’ll actually finish. Pack size matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens | The current ingredients and allergens on the pack, including warnings about possible traces. | If I’m serving something to someone with an allergy, I need to check the label on that specific pack first. Around 14% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means a fixed cocoa content
The versions we reviewed state different minimums: according to Albert Heijn’s product information, De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids; according to Jumbo, its reviewed 200 g version contains at least 50%, while Venz Puur contains 32%. The product names alone don’t make them equivalent.
Check the cocoa content for the exact version and also look at the nutritional information per 100 g.
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Assuming ‘less sugar’ means less than every other brand
Jumbo compares its reviewed 200 g version only with Jumbo dark chocolate sprinkles. So the claim doesn’t tell you how the product compares with every other type of dark chocolate sprinkles.
Read what the claim is comparing the product with, then compare the sugars per 100 g for the options you’re considering.
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Relying only on allergen information online
Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergy information can change. The versions we reviewed mention milk and soya, among other ingredients, and possible traces of other allergens.
Before serving, read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re actually using.
Brands worth comparing
De Ruijter
The Specials Hagelslag Intens Puur version we reviewed is worth comparing if you’re looking for a product with a high stated cocoa content.
- Albert Heijn states that this 200 g version contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
- As well as the cocoa content, check the sugars and the milk and soya listed on the current pack.
Venz
The Venz Puur Chocolade Hagelslag we reviewed is a dark chocolate option in a 400 g pack.
- Jumbo states that this version contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
- The product information we reviewed states 65 g of sugars per 100 g, and lists milk and soya, as well as possible traces of milk protein and lactose.
Jumbo
The 200 g dark own-brand version we reviewed combines a stated cocoa content with a product-specific sugar comparison.
- Jumbo states that this version contains at least 50% cocoa solids and 43,1 g of sugars per 100 g.
- The claim of at least 30% less sugar compares it only with Jumbo dark chocolate sprinkles. The product information lists milk and possible gluten and wheat.
Mister Choc (Lidl)
Mister Choc Hagelslag Puur is a Lidl option if you’re looking for a larger pack in store.
- Lidl lists a pack size of 600 g and marks the product as ‘in store only’.
- Check the label on the pack if cocoa content, sugars or allergens are key to your choice.
Kiekeboe (ALDI)
Kiekeboe Hagelslag Puur is a dark own-brand option in a 600 g pack.
- ALDI states that the cocoa in this product carries the Rainforest Alliance certification.
- Before comparing it with another version, check the ingredients, sugars and cocoa content on the current pack.
Dark chocolate sprinkles at Joybuy
These products include dark chocolate sprinkles and dark chocolate flakes. Flakes are a different type of product, so don’t compare them as if they were the same kind of sprinkles when the cocoa content or nutritional information of sprinkles is what matters to your choice.
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De Ruijter Intense dark chocolate sprinkles 200 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for anyone who wants to assess the stated cocoa and sugar values in a smaller pack. The pack contains 200 g. Check the nutritional information and allergens on the pack before comparing this version with other products.
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g'woon Flakes Pure 300 g
Dark chocolate flakes for anyone considering a different type of topping as well as sprinkles. The pack contains 300 g. If you want to compare them with dark chocolate sprinkles, check the cocoa content, sugars and allergens on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘intense dark’ mean the sprinkles are low in sugar?
No, the name doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains per 100 g. Check the cocoa content and nutritional information separately. For its reviewed 200 g dark version, Jumbo states 43,1 g of sugars per 100 g and compares its less-sugar claim only with Jumbo dark chocolate sprinkles.
How do I compare the nutritional information on different packs?
Compare the nutritional values per 100 g, even if the packs are different sizes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends using this basis for comparison; also check the ingredients for the exact version you’re considering.
Can dark chocolate sprinkles also be used as a topping for a film night?
Yes. The product information for the De Ruijter and Venz versions we reviewed also mentions using them with yoghurt and in baking, among other things. Whether the sprinkles stay crunchy in a warm or moist dish depends on how you use them.
Which allergens should I check in dark chocolate sprinkles?
Check the ingredients, allergens and warnings about possible traces on the pack you’re going to use. The Venz version we reviewed lists milk and soya; the Jumbo version we reviewed lists milk and possible gluten and wheat. Don’t assume this information is the same for every type of dark chocolate sprinkles.