If a high cocoa content is essential for you, only choose a spritz biscuit if the chocolate’s cocoa percentage is stated on the packaging or product page. Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn all list dark chocolate in their spritz biscuits, but don’t state its cocoa percentage. If you’re taking them to a festival campsite, also check the allergens and storage instructions on the pack you’re bringing.
You want a spritz biscuit with dark chocolate and use a stated cocoa percentage to compare the chocolate. Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn’s product information all mentions dark chocolate, but not how much cocoa it contains.
You want to take a sealed pack that you can store as directed. Check the best-before date, that the packaging is intact and whether the product needs to be kept cool.
You want to know what ingredients and allergens the spritz biscuits contain before setting off. Check the current label on each pack, even if the product name only refers to the chocolate.
When: If you’re looking for a particular cocoa content, compare only spritz biscuits whose chocolate has a stated cocoa percentage.
Bear in mind: ‘Dark chocolate’ or the proportion of chocolate in the biscuit doesn’t tell you its cocoa percentage.
When: If a dark chocolate coating is enough for you and you don’t require a minimum cocoa content.
Bear in mind: The stated chocolate content of Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn’s spritz biscuits doesn’t allow you to compare their cocoa content.
When: If dark chocolate isn’t a requirement for your purchase.
Bear in mind: According to the product listing at PLUS, Verkade Sprits Melk contains milk chocolate, so it isn’t a dark chocolate spritz biscuit.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa content | Look for the chocolate’s cocoa percentage. The proportion of chocolate in the whole biscuit is something different. | I want a pronounced dark chocolate flavour and don’t want to rely on the word ‘dark’ alone. For around 42% of consumers, being able to check the cocoa content would be their main concern when buying. |
| Storage and taking it with you | Check the best-before date, that the pack is intact and the storage instructions; Albert Heijn also says to keep it cool. | I want my biscuits to be protected from moisture and direct heat at the campsite. Storage and transport would be the main consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens and portions | Check the allergens, ingredients and nutritional information on the current pack; compare nutritional values on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | If I’m packing for others, I want to know what everyone can eat and how much is in a pack. For around 25% of consumers, this consideration for the group would be their top priority. |
Jumbo and PLUS each state that their spritz biscuits contain 18% dark chocolate; Albert Heijn states 15%. These figures refer to the proportion of chocolate in the biscuit, not the cocoa percentage of that chocolate.
If a specific cocoa percentage is essential to your taste preference, make it a requirement when buying.
A dark chocolate coating doesn’t automatically mean a spritz biscuit is free from milk or gluten. The listed varieties contain different combinations of ingredients, including wheat, milk, egg and soya.
Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statements on the pack you’re actually buying.
Jumbo and PLUS recommend storing their products in a cool, dry and dark place; Albert Heijn also says to keep its product cool. A sunny tent isn’t a suitable place to disregard these instructions.
Take an intact, sealed pack with you, follow the product-specific storage instructions and reseal it after opening.
The name of the chocolate doesn’t tell you the nutritional value of the whole biscuit. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that chocolate also contains plenty of saturated fat and calories.
Check the nutritional information and serving size for the specific spritz biscuit rather than relying on the name of the chocolate.
Jumbo Spritsen met Pure Chocolade is a 200 g pack for anyone looking for a spritz biscuit with dark chocolate.
PLUS Chocolade sprits is a 200 g pack, described as spritz biscuits with dark chocolate.
AH Choco spritsen are butter spritz biscuits with dark chocolate, sold in a pack of five with a total weight of 180 g.
Verkade Sprits Melk is a 150 g milk chocolate variety for anyone also considering a spritz biscuit without dark chocolate.
No, that description alone doesn’t tell you a specific cocoa percentage. Jumbo and PLUS each state that their spritz biscuits contain 18% dark chocolate, while Albert Heijn states 15%. But those figures don’t tell you how much cocoa the chocolate itself contains. Look for a stated cocoa percentage if that’s your deciding factor.
Follow the instructions on the pack: Jumbo and PLUS say to store their products in a cool, dry and dark place, while Albert Heijn also says to keep its product cool. Keep the pack out of direct sunlight, check the best-before date and reseal it after opening.
Check the current label first, especially if anyone in the group needs to avoid certain ingredients. The listed spritz biscuits have different allergen information and include ingredients such as wheat, milk, egg or soya. Also check for any ‘may contain’ statements on the pack you choose.
No, the name of the chocolate doesn’t describe the nutritional value of the whole biscuit. Check the nutritional information for the specific spritz biscuit, including sugars and fats per 100 g and the serving size. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also notes that chocolate contains plenty of saturated fat and calories.
Check the latest safety warnings from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority. The NVWA publishes company warnings about unsafe food products; if you find a relevant notice, check whether it applies to your product and packaging.
