For a neighbourhood get-together, choose a spritz biscuit that is explicitly described as containing dark chocolate: PLUS lists 18% for its chocolate spritz biscuits, while Albert Heijn lists 15% dark chocolate in the AH Choco sprits biscuit as a whole. These percentages tell you nothing about the cocoa content of the chocolate used or how bitter the biscuit tastes. If ‘no added sugar’ is important to you, you could consider the Damhert version; according to the product description at Jumbo, it contains sweeteners and excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
You’re putting spritz biscuits out for your neighbours and want more to go on than just the word ‘chocolate’. A mention of dark chocolate, optionally with its proportion in the biscuit, helps you compare different versions.
You’re looking for a version with no added sugar and also want to know which sweeteners it contains and what warnings are printed on the packaging.
You’re buying for a group that may include people with allergies. In that case, the current ingredients and any warnings about traces are more important than the name on the front of the pack.
For your neighbourhood get-together, first decide whether dark chocolate, the ingredients or a pack to share is your main priority. If any guests have allergies, always check the current product information separately.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is it most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate | Look for ‘dark chocolate’ in the product description. Bear in mind that a stated percentage refers to the proportion of chocolate in the biscuit, not the cocoa content of that chocolate. | If I’m putting chocolate spritz biscuits out, I don’t want to assume they contain dark chocolate based on a general name; that certainty is a priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Choice of ingredients | For products labelled ‘no added sugar’, also read the ingredients, nutritional information and warnings. Check allergens separately for any guests who need you to do so. | When I’m looking for a version with no added sugar, I want to know which sweeteners it contains and what warnings come with it. That’s the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Sharing and storage | Compare the pack weight with how much you want to serve, and follow the storage advice on the pack you choose. | For a plate I’m sharing with my neighbours, I want to know in advance how many spritz biscuits I’m buying and how to store them until the get-together; around 20% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
A percentage of dark chocolate on a spritz biscuit pack refers to the proportion of chocolate in the biscuit as a whole. It doesn’t tell you how much cocoa that chocolate contains, so it doesn’t guarantee a more bitter taste either.
Use ‘dark chocolate’ as your first selection criterion. If you specifically want to compare cocoa content, look for a separate figure for the chocolate used.
According to the product description at Jumbo, Damhert Nutrition Sprits Pure Chocolade contains sweeteners, and excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
As well as checking the claim, read the full ingredients, nutritional information and usage warnings before choosing this version for your group.
The listed allergens and possible traces vary between spritz biscuits. Albert Heijn also says that the information about its Choco sprits may change.
Check the current packaging before serving the biscuits. If in doubt, don’t present a version as suitable for someone with an allergy.
These examples show what information you can compare for specific spritz biscuit versions. A brand name alone tells you nothing about cocoa content or whether a product is suitable for your guests.
PLUS Chocolade sprits Fairtrade Per Tray is a spritz biscuit with a published proportion of dark chocolate.
AH Choco sprits is a butter spritz biscuit with dark chocolate.
Damhert Nutrition Sprits Pure Chocolade is a specific version with no added sugar.
Jumbo Spritsen met Pure Chocolade is a version explicitly described as a spritz biscuit with dark chocolate.
Verkade Nobo Sprits Dubbel Chocolade is a chocolate version for anyone who doesn’t specifically need dark chocolate.
No, you can’t tell that from the product name or the proportion of chocolate in the biscuit. PLUS lists 18%, Albert Heijn 15% and the Damhert product description at Jumbo 13% dark chocolate in the relevant spritz biscuits. To choose by cocoa content, you’ll need a separate percentage for the chocolate used.
For each spritz biscuit you choose, check the current ingredients and warnings on the packaging before serving it. PLUS lists wheat, egg, soya and milk among its allergens. For AH Choco sprits, Albert Heijn lists wheat, milk and soya, as well as possible traces of egg and almond.
According to the product description at Jumbo, this Damhert version has no added sugar, but it does contain sweeteners. Also read the rest of the nutritional information and the warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Follow the storage advice on the pack you choose. Jumbo recommends keeping its Spritsen met Pure Chocolade in a cool, dry and dark place. Also check the best-before date on your product and the advice for storing an opened pack.
