Which option is right for you?

Dark chocolate fans stocking up

You’re looking for chocolate sprinkles and want to keep several packs in the cupboard. A stated cocoa percentage helps you choose more precisely than the word ‘dark’ alone. Also check how much you’re actually buying.

Fans of traditional anise seeds

You’re specifically looking for crushed, sugar-coated anise seeds to sprinkle on rusks or bread, for example. Cocoa percentage isn’t relevant to this choice: chocolate sprinkles won’t give you the flavour of anise.

Stocking up and checking allergens

You’re buying toppings for a household where the ingredients in each product matter. Read the label on every variety you choose: the Gestampte Muisjes we looked at contain wheat, while the dark chocolate sprinkles we looked at contain milk and soya.

What should you look for when buying?

Gestampte Muisjes

Choose this: if you’re looking for crushed anise seeds rather than chocolate sprinkles.

Bear in mind: the De Ruijter version we looked at has no cocoa listed in its ingredients.

Dark chocolate sprinkles

Choose these: if chocolate and a stated cocoa content matter more to you than anise flavour.

Bear in mind: these aren’t a variety of Gestampte Muisjes; check the allergens in the sprinkles you choose.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Cocoa and flavour Read the product description and check the cocoa percentage on the chocolate sprinkles you choose. Albert Heijn states that De Ruijter Specials Hagelslag Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids. If I’m mainly looking for chocolate flavour, I don’t want to accidentally stock up on anise seeds. Around 40% of consumers say that a stated cocoa content is their first selection criterion.
Stock and packaging Check the total quantity, number of individual packs, best-before date and storage advice. According to Albert Heijn, the Intens Puur 3-pack is supplied as separate items. If I use my supplies gradually, I want to be able to leave packs unopened until I need them. For around 30% of consumers, this practical way of organising their supplies comes first.
Anise seeds Check that the product is actually Gestampte Muisjes and read the ingredients and allergen information; the De Ruijter pack we looked at contains wheat starch. For rusks or bread, I want the familiar anise flavour, not chocolate sprinkles. This choice matters most to around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘dark’ means it’s a variety of Gestampte Muisjes

    You could end up buying anise sprinkles when you meant to buy chocolate sprinkles. The ingredients list for the De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes we looked at doesn’t include cocoa.

    First decide which type of product you want. If you’re looking for chocolate, check the ingredients and the stated cocoa percentage on the specific pack.

  • Assuming a multipack is automatically right for stocking up

    Having several packs isn’t necessarily practical if you won’t use them all within a storage period that works for you.

    Check the number of individual packs, the total quantity and the best-before date before choosing a multipack.

  • Assuming both types of product contain the same allergens

    The Gestampte Muisjes we looked at contain wheat; the dark chocolate sprinkles we looked at list milk and soya. The product name or colour is no substitute for checking the allergen information.

    Read the label on every pack you buy, even if you’ve used the product before.

  • Assuming the best-before date stays the same after opening

    According to the Voedingscentrum, a best-before date applies to an unopened pack. Different advice may apply once it’s open.

    Follow the storage advice and any instructions for after opening on the label of the product you choose.

Brands and retailers to consider

De Ruijter

Among the products we looked at, De Ruijter offers both anise-based Gestampte Muisjes and dark chocolate sprinkles.

  • The product information makes the difference clear: Albert Heijn states that Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids, while Royaal Extra Puur contains at least 43%.
  • These percentages apply to the chocolate sprinkle varieties mentioned, not to Gestampte Muisjes or De Ruijter’s entire range.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s product information describes the Gestampte Muisjes, dark chocolate sprinkles and Intens Puur 3-pack we looked at.

  • The 3-pack listing says that the items are supplied separately, which is useful if you want to store the packs individually.
  • Check the quantity and details on the pack you choose when you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes as crushed, sugar-coated anise seeds and also includes De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur in its range information.

  • The product description helps you tell anise seeds apart from chocolate sprinkles.
  • A product appearing in a range listing doesn’t in itself tell you whether it’s available to order individually.

Chocolate sprinkles at Joybuy

These products are suited to choosing chocolate sprinkles instead of anise seeds. If you’re stocking up, compare the quantity in each pack and check the cocoa content, best-before date and allergens for the variety you buy.

De Ruijter Intense Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, 200 g

De Ruijter Intense Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g

For anyone looking for chocolate sprinkles rather than anise seeds and wanting to plan their supplies pack by pack.

200 g pack. When buying, check how many packs you’ll receive, the cocoa content stated on the label and any allergens listed.

View at Joybuy
De Ruijter Pure Chocolate Sprinkles, 390 g

De Ruijter Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 390 g

For anyone looking for chocolate sprinkles and wanting to know how much is in one pack when stocking up.

390 g pack. If a particular cocoa content is important to you, check the percentage on the pack you choose. Also check the best-before date and allergens.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are Gestampte Muisjes the same as dark chocolate sprinkles?

No. The De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes we looked at are sugar-coated anise seeds; cocoa isn’t listed in their ingredients. If you want a chocolate topping, choose chocolate sprinkles and check the cocoa content of the specific variety.

When is a multipack useful for stocking up?

A multipack can be useful if you want to keep the individual packs unopened. Albert Heijn says that the Intens Puur 3-pack we looked at is supplied as separate items. Also check the total quantity and the best-before date on the packs.

How should I store anise seeds and dark chocolate sprinkles?

Follow the label on the product you buy. The storage advice for the Gestampte Muisjes we looked at is to keep them in a dry place; for the dark chocolate sprinkles we looked at, it’s to store them in a cool, dry place. According to the Voedingscentrum, the best-before date applies while the pack is unopened. Once opened, follow the instructions on the packaging.

Which allergens differ between the products we looked at?

Wheat is listed for the Gestampte Muisjes we looked at; milk and soya are listed for the Intens Puur and Royaal Extra Puur sprinkles. Always check the label on the pack you actually choose, including any information about other allergens.