Lunchtime shoppers looking for an intensely dark variety
You’re choosing chocolate sprinkles for a sandwich or crispbread and want to compare the stated cocoa content. Jumbo states that De Ruijter Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers keeping an eye on sugar
You want to use dark chocolate sprinkles, but compare the amount of sugars per 100 g rather than relying on the word ‘dark’ alone.
Lunchtime shoppers looking for a pack to use more than once
You often have chocolate sprinkles on bread or crispbread and pay attention to the pack size, best-before date and the information you need on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide which feature matters most for your lunch. Then compare the details on the specific pack: higher cocoa content, a different sugar value and a larger pack size are all different reasons to buy.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa content | Compare the stated minimum cocoa solids in the varieties you’re considering. Jumbo states that De Ruijter Intens Puur contains at least 52%, compared with at least 32% for Venz Puur. | When choosing chocolate sprinkles for my lunchtime sandwich, I’m mainly looking for a more intense dark chocolate flavour and want to see how much cocoa is stated on the pack. This is the main purchasing consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Sugars | Check the nutritional information per 100 g. Albert Heijn states that AH Puur Minder Suiker contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g, while AH Puur contains 64 g per 100 g. | I want dark chocolate sprinkles on my crispbread, but I also want to compare the sugar values of two varieties. Around 27% of consumers put this comparison first. |
| Pack size | Check the pack size and best-before date if you want to use a pack for several lunches. The packs mentioned range from 200 g to 600 g. | When I have chocolate sprinkles at lunchtime more often, I want to choose an amount I can use up in time. This need is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Check the current ingredients and allergen information every time you buy, including any warnings about traces. The word ‘dark’ is no substitute for checking. | If milk, soya or possible traces matter to me, I need to be able to check the information for the exact variety I’m considering. Checking the label is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means low in sugars
Sugar levels vary between varieties. Albert Heijn states that AH Puur Minder Suiker contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g, while AH Puur contains 64 g per 100 g.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g. For products labelled ‘less sugar’, also check which product the manufacturer is comparing them with.
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Choosing a large pack without checking the best-before date
A 600 g pack calls for a different estimate of how much you’ll use than a 200 g pack.
Check the best-before date and storage instructions before choosing a size for several lunches.
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Assuming the word ‘dark’ tells you about allergens
Milk and soya are listed for De Ruijter Intens Puur; other dark varieties may also contain allergens or carry a warning about possible traces.
Always check the current label for the variety you’ve chosen, including the ingredients and any warnings about possible traces.
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Confusing iodine in bakers’ salt with a feature of chocolate sprinkles
Whether a lunchtime sandwich has been made with bread baked using iodised bakers’ salt is a question about the bread, not the chocolate sprinkles brand. According to the Voedingscentrum, using bakers’ salt when baking bread is not compulsory.
If the type of salt used matters to you, check the bread label or ask the baker.
Brands and varieties compared
Compare the features of the varieties listed; a feature of one product does not automatically apply to every chocolate sprinkle made by the same brand.
De Ruijter
De Ruijter offers a standard dark chocolate sprinkle in a 390 g pack and a smaller 200 g Intens Puur variety.
- Jumbo states that Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
- Milk and soya are listed for Intens Puur; check the current label if these allergens are relevant to you.
Venz
Venz Puur is a standard dark chocolate sprinkle in a 400 g pack.
- Jumbo states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
- The ingredients for this variety include milk fat and soya lecithin; check the label if you have a relevant allergy.
AH
AH offers a standard dark variety in a 400 g pack and a Puur Minder Suiker variety in a 250 g pack.
- Albert Heijn states that these varieties contain 64 g and 43 g of sugars per 100 g respectively.
- The ‘30% less sugar’ claim for Puur Minder Suiker compares it with AH Chocolade Hagel Puur, not with all dark chocolate sprinkles.
Kiekeboe
Kiekeboe Puur is an ALDI variety in a 600 g pack.
- ALDI Nederland states that the cocoa in these chocolate sprinkles is Rainforest Alliance certified.
- If cocoa content, ingredients or allergens are deciding factors, check the information on the pack.
Mister Choc
Mister Choc offers a 600 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles, which Lidl lists as a product available in its shops.
- The 600 g pack is worth comparing if you’re buying chocolate sprinkles for several lunches.
- Check the pack if cocoa content, ingredients or allergens will determine your choice.
Dark chocolate sprinkles for bread or crispbread
These Joybuy products are dark chocolate sprinkle varieties for bread or crispbread at lunchtime. Pack sizes vary, so use the information for each individual variety to make your choice.
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De Ruijter Intens Puur chocolate sprinkles 200 g
For anyone looking for a more intensely dark variety for a lunchtime sandwich. The pack contains 200 g; if you have a milk or soya allergy, check the current label.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles 400 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for anyone looking for a pack to use on several sandwiches. The pack contains 400 g; Joybuy lists milk and possible traces of wheat for this variety.
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De Ruijter Hagelslag Puur 390 g
For anyone who wants to enjoy standard dark chocolate sprinkles on a lunchtime sandwich. The pack contains 390 g; compare the label with an intensely dark variety if cocoa content will determine your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Does dark chocolate sprinkle automatically mean fewer sugars?
No, the word ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar a variety contains. Albert Heijn states that AH Puur Minder Suiker contains 43 g of sugars per 100 g, while AH Puur contains 64 g per 100 g. So compare the nutritional information for the products you’re considering.
Can I have dark chocolate sprinkles with every lunch?
That depends on your choice of portion size and what else you have on your bread. The Voedingscentrum doesn’t include chocolate sprinkles in the Wheel of Five and advises not eating them too much or too often, partly because of their sugar and saturated fat content.
Which allergens should I check for in dark chocolate sprinkles?
Check the ingredients, allergen information and warnings on the current packaging for the variety you’ve chosen. Milk and soya are listed for some dark varieties; for g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles in the 400 g pack, Joybuy lists milk and possible traces of wheat.
Is iodine in bakers’ salt a reason to choose different chocolate sprinkles?
No, this is a question about the bread and the salt used to bake it, not the chocolate sprinkles. According to the Voedingscentrum, using bakers’ salt is not compulsory; check the bread label or ask the baker if the type of salt used matters to you.