Who is this relevant to?

Walker looking for a dark chocolate flavour

You don’t want to buy traditional aniseed taaitaai when you’re looking for dark chocolate. Check the variety name and ingredients, and look for cocoa information too if the cocoa content matters to you.

Walker taking a sweet biscuit along

You enjoy traditional taaitaai, but want to decide in advance how much to take and keep the packaging sealed and dry while you’re out. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the amount you plan to take.

Shopper who reads the label carefully

Ingredients, allergens or nutritional information influence your choice. Check the packaging of the product you’re buying: the PLUS taaitaai described here lists wheat, rye and milk, among other ingredients, but product information can change.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with the flavour you’re looking for: a mention of dark chocolate is not the same as a search result for traditional taaitaai. Then consider the portion you’ll take with you and check the label on the specific pack.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Dark chocolate flavour Look for an explicit mention of dark chocolate in the product name and ingredients. Check the specific cocoa information if the cocoa content matters to you. I want a dark chocolate flavour for my walk, not an aniseed biscuit that appears in the same search results. For around 50% of consumers, finding a clearly identified dark variety comes first.
Portion and carrying Compare the pack weight with the portion you plan to take, and follow the storage instructions on the label. When I’m out, I want to take an amount that fits in my bag and stays dry. A practical portion is the main concern for around 30% of consumers.
Nutritional information and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information; compare the nutritional values per 100 g and for the amount you’ll take. If the ingredients determine my choice, I want to know what’s in my portion before I pack it. For around 20% of consumers, checking the label comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a search term for a product specification

    The word ‘dark’ in a search doesn’t confirm that taaitaai contains dark chocolate. A traditional aniseed variety may not meet your flavour expectations.

    Check the variety name and ingredients on the packaging or product page. Look for specific cocoa information if the cocoa content is essential to you.

  • Looking only at the flavour or pack size

    A whole bag isn’t necessarily the portion you’ll want to eat on a walk. What’s more, the nutritional values per 100 g don’t tell you exactly how much you’ll be taking with you.

    Decide on your portion in advance and compare the nutritional information for that amount.

  • Relying on outdated allergen information online

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. A previous purchase or product page is no substitute for checking the label on the pack you’re buying now.

    Check the ingredients and any highlighted allergens on that pack every time.

  • Skipping the storage instructions

    The PLUS taaitaai described here says to store it in a cool, dry, dark place. For any chocolate variety, the instructions on its own packaging may differ.

    Protect the biscuit from moisture while you’re out, and follow the storage advice for the specific variety.

Brands to help you choose

These examples can help you identify traditional taaitaai; on their own, they don’t confirm that a dark chocolate variety is available.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has product pages for AH Taai taai and AH Authentieke taai taai.

  • The product pages are a good starting point for checking the exact variety.
  • Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so check the packaging as well.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes and De Originele Taai Taai, both in 500 g packs.

  • The product names and pack weights make it possible to compare them with the portion you plan to take on your walk.
  • These product names don’t confirm a dark chocolate flavour; check the specific variety and its ingredients.

Aldi

Aldi describes its 500 g Taai-taai as figure-shaped biscuits with an aniseed flavour.

  • The stated aniseed flavour tells you what to expect from this product.
  • Don’t choose this product on the assumption that it’s a dark chocolate variety.

Plus

PLUS lists Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken in a 250 g pack and Taai taai sint en piet in a 500 g pack.

  • The product information includes ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and storage instructions for the taaitaai in question.
  • Information about these traditional varieties doesn’t confirm that they contain dark chocolate or have a high cocoa content.

Dirk

Dirk includes 1 de Beste Mini taai taai, 500 g, in its search results.

  • The product name and pack size help you identify the traditional mini variety.
  • Check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and any cocoa information before you decide.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘dark’ in a taaitaai search automatically mean it contains a lot of cocoa?

No. A search term doesn’t tell you what a specific biscuit contains. Check whether the packaging mentions dark chocolate, and look for specific cocoa information if the cocoa content matters to you.

What allergen information should I check for taaitaai?

Read the ingredients and clearly highlighted allergens on the pack you’re buying. The PLUS taaitaai described here lists wheat, rye and milk, among other ingredients; check your variety for any warnings about other allergens too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that labelling is mandatory for fourteen allergens.

How should I take taaitaai with me on a walk?

Choose a portion you can protect from moisture, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The PLUS taaitaai described here says to store it in a cool, dry, dark place; for any chocolate variety, follow the label on that specific biscuit.

Is traditional taaitaai the same as dark chocolate taaitaai?

No. Traditional aniseed taaitaai doesn’t guarantee the dark chocolate flavour you’re looking for. Check the variety name and ingredients before buying, and compare the nutritional information for the portion you plan to take.

Should I check the best-before date?

Yes, check the date and storage instructions on the packaging of your taaitaai. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority distinguishes between ‘use by’ dates for highly perishable foods and ‘best before’ dates for other foods. Check which date applies to the product.