Walkers looking for a pronounced dark chocolate flavour
If flavour comes first, a stated cocoa percentage gives you a better basis for comparing varieties than the word ‘dark’ on its own.
Who is this relevant to?
Walkers planning a sweet snack
You’ll want to know in advance how many carbohydrates and sugars the chocolate sprinkles contain, and how much you’ll actually put on a rusk. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and, where provided, per serving.
Walkers who check ingredients carefully
The varieties mentioned contain milk and soya, and some may carry ‘may contain’ warnings. Lower-sugar chocolate sprinkles may also contain polyols, and the usage warning could affect your choice.
What should you look for when choosing?
When choosing dark chocolate sprinkles for rusks on a walk, first decide what matters most to you: the chocolate flavour, nutritional information or ingredients. Then check the exact products against that priority.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate flavour and cocoa | Look for a clearly stated minimum percentage of cocoa solids. Albert Heijn lists at least 52% for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur; Jumbo lists at least 32% for Venz Puur. | I’m looking for a pronounced chocolate flavour on my rusks, rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ in the name. For around 36% of consumers, flavour comes first. |
| Carbohydrates and sugars | Compare both figures per 100 g and consider how much chocolate sprinkles you put on a rusk. Jumbo lists 68 g of carbohydrates and 65 g of sugars per 100 g for Venz Puur. | For a longer walk, I want to know what’s in my sweet snack. Around 29% of consumers give this nutritional information top priority. |
| Lower sugar and polyols | As well as the sugar content, check the amount of polyols and the warning on the label. Albert Heijn lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Puur Minder Suikers. | A lower sugar content is the deciding factor for me, but I don’t want to try a variety containing polyols for the first time while I’m out walking. This is the biggest consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Check the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warning for the exact variety; milk and soya appear in different ways in the products mentioned. | Before I pack anything, I need to know whether the ingredients in that product are suitable for me. For around 14% of consumers, this check comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark chocolate means low sugar
The name doesn’t tell you how much sugar a variety contains. Albert Heijn lists 64 g of added sugars per 100 g for AH Hagelslag puur; Jumbo lists 65 g of sugars per 100 g for Venz Puur. Note that these figures refer to different nutritional values.
Read the nutritional information on the product you’re buying and compare figures with the same description, such as sugars per 100 g.
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Taking a variety containing polyols on a long walk for the first time
Albert Heijn lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Puur Minder Suikers and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Read the warning, and don’t choose an unfamiliar variety for a walk based solely on its lower sugar figure.
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Assuming dark chocolate sprinkles don’t contain milk or soya
‘Dark’ describes the type of chocolate, not the allergens. Allergen information also varies by brand and variety.
If you have an allergy, check the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warning on the current packaging.
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Applying information about baker’s salt to chocolate sprinkles
Information about iodised baker’s salt in bakery products doesn’t show that chocolate sprinkles contain iodine. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.
Check the labels on your rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately; don’t assume the sprinkles have the same ingredients as the rusks.
Brands compared
The differences below apply to the varieties mentioned, not to a brand’s entire range.
De Ruijter
Alongside regular dark chocolate sprinkles, there’s an Intens Puur variety with a clearly stated cocoa claim.
- Albert Heijn lists at least 52% cocoa solids and 43 g of sugars per 100 g for the 200 g pack of Specials Intens Puur.
- That cocoa claim doesn’t automatically apply to De Ruijter Chocoladehagel puur 390 g. Check the milk and soya information for both varieties.
Venz
Venz Puur is a regular dark chocolate sprinkle topping for anyone who likes this flavour on rusks.
- Jumbo lists at least 32% cocoa solids and 68 g of carbohydrates per 100 g for the 400 g pack.
- The same variety lists 65 g of sugars per 100 g, contains milk and soya, and may contain lactose.
Albert Heijn
AH Hagelslag puur is a regular dark chocolate variety in a 600 g pack.
- Albert Heijn lists at least 32% cocoa solids for this variety.
- According to Albert Heijn, the variety contains milk and lactose. Check the current packaging for the ingredients and nutritional information.
Céréal
Céréal Puur Minder Suikers is an alternative if sugar content matters more to you than a traditional recipe.
- Albert Heijn lists 7.7 g of sugars and 40 g of polyols per 100 g for this variety.
- Albert Heijn warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. The variety contains soya and may contain milk.
Kiekeboe
Kiekeboe is a dark chocolate sprinkle variety from ALDI, sold in a 600 g pack.
- ALDI Netherlands states that the cocoa in this variety is Rainforest Alliance certified.
- If you’re choosing based on cocoa, sugars or allergens, compare the nutritional information and ingredients on the packaging.
Dark chocolate sprinkles on Joybuy
These products give you a choice between an explicitly intense dark variety and regular dark chocolate sprinkles for rusks. Use the label to decide which flavour, nutritional profile and ingredients suit your walking break.
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De Ruijter Intense Dark chocolate sprinkles 200 g
An option if you’re looking for a clearly stated cocoa claim for your rusks. Joybuy lists at least 52% cocoa solids for this variety; also check the sugars and allergens on the packaging.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles 390 g
A regular dark chocolate topping to pack with your rusks. If you’re comparing this variety with an intensely dark chocolate sprinkle topping, check the cocoa percentage and sugars on the exact packaging.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles 400 g
A regular dark chocolate variety for rusks. Check the nutritional information, allergens and storage instructions on the exact packaging before taking the sprinkles with you.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ automatically mean more cocoa and less sugar?
No, the name alone doesn’t tell you how the varieties compare. Jumbo lists at least 32% cocoa solids and 65 g of sugars per 100 g for Venz Puur; Albert Heijn lists at least 52% cocoa solids and 43 g of sugars per 100 g for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur. So compare both the cocoa claim and the nutritional information.
Are lower-sugar chocolate sprinkles a good choice for a long walk?
That also depends on the sweeteners used and the warning on the packaging. Albert Heijn lists 40 g of polyols per 100 g for Céréal Puur Minder Suikers and warns that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect. It’s best not to try an unfamiliar variety for the first time on a long walk.
How should I store rusks and chocolate sprinkles while I’m out?
Follow the storage instructions on the exact packaging; the chocolate sprinkle varieties mentioned should be stored in a cool, dry place. Keep your rusks protected from pressure and moisture, and seal opened chocolate sprinkles securely.
Do chocolate sprinkles contain iodine because baker’s salt is used in bakery products?
You can’t tell from the name ‘chocolate sprinkles’. Baker’s salt relates to how bakery products are made, and the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use it. Check the labels on rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately.
Which allergens should I check in dark chocolate sprinkles?
At the very least, check the information about milk and soya, including any ‘may contain’ warnings, for the exact variety. For De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur, Albert Heijn lists milk and soya, and possible milk proteins and lactose; for Venz Puur, Jumbo lists milk and soya, and possible lactose. Allergen declarations vary by product.