Stallholders looking for a dark chocolate flavour
They want to compare chocolate products with a stated cocoa content to add to their oliebollen. Verkade states that its 71% Cooking Chocolate contains at least 71% cocoa.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Stallholders looking to sell biscuits individually
They want a ready-to-eat biscuit to sell as a separate item in their range. According to Albert Heijn, AH Butter Canoes are butter biscuits with pastry cream filling, not chocolate for use with oliebollen.
Vendors who need to manage allergen information
They want to know what allergen information to give customers for each product and preparation. According to Ondernemersplein, this information must be clearly available for non-prepacked food.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to use chocolate in a recipe or sell biscuits individually. For stallholders making this choice, the main things to consider will then depend on how they intend to use the product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dark cocoa flavour | Read the cocoa percentage and product description; the percentage alone doesn’t tell you how to use the product. | I want the chocolate to stand out as a distinct flavour alongside my oliebollen. An estimated 45% of these consumers put flavour first when choosing. |
| Product format and preparation | Check whether you’re buying a chocolate product that can be melted or a ready-to-eat biscuit, and read the instructions for use and storage. | If I want to make a topping, I need something different from a biscuit to sell on its own. Around 33% of these consumers give top priority to choosing the right product format. |
| Allergen information | Check the latest ingredients and allergen warnings on each pack, as well as those for the finished product. | I need to be able to give customers clear allergen information, including when selling non-prepacked food. An estimated 22% of these consumers put this first. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a canoe pastry for a dark chocolate product
Albert Heijn describes AH Butter Canoes as biscuits with pastry cream filling and almonds; the product description doesn’t mention dark chocolate. So the product name alone won’t tell you whether the biscuit has the chocolate flavour you’re looking for.
Before buying, read the product description and ingredients, and check the cocoa percentage, if stated, for the exact variety.
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Confusing a cocoa percentage with being ready to use
Verkade 71% Cooking Chocolate is a product for melting. It’s a different format from a biscuit that you sell individually.
Decide whether you want to offer a topping, dip, filling or biscuit to sell on its own, then check the preparation instructions for the product you’ve chosen.
Melting chocolate requires an extra preparation step and suitable equipment at your stall.
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Using allergen information from a different product
Butter canoe pastries and cooking chocolate may have different ingredients and warnings about possible traces. The ingredients in the finished product also matter.
Use the latest packaging and your recipe to give customers allergen information. According to Ondernemersplein, this information must be clearly available when selling non-prepacked food.
Relevant brands and retailers
Verkade
Verkade offers 71% Cooking Chocolate, a chocolate product for melting.
- According to Verkade, this product contains at least 71% cocoa and includes melting instructions for the individual pieces.
- It’s cooking chocolate, not a canoe pastry. Verkade lists soya and possible traces of nuts, milk and gluten.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes AH Butter Canoes as biscuits with pastry cream filling, sold individually.
- The product information lists 41% pastry cream filling and 1% almonds.
- The product description doesn’t mention dark chocolate. Check the latest packaging for ingredients and allergen information.
Dark chocolate bars on Joybuy
These bars have different stated cocoa percentages, making it easy to compare their dark chocolate flavour. Before using your chosen bar as a topping, dip or filling for oliebollen, check its preparation instructions. These aren’t confirmed canoe pastry or cooking chocolate varieties.
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Lindt Excellence 78% Cacao, 100 g
This bar is worth considering if you want to compare stated cocoa percentages and make dark chocolate flavour your priority.
At least 78% cocoa; 100 g pack. Before using it with oliebollen, check the instructions for this bar.
The product information lists milk and possible traces of hazelnuts, almonds, other nuts and soya; check the latest packaging.
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Lindt Excellence 85% Cocoa dark chocolate, 100 g
This bar is a good fit for comparing products where the stated cocoa percentage is an important selection criterion.
At least 85% cocoa; 100 g pack. Check the instructions for this variety before using the chocolate in a recipe.
The product information lists nuts, milk, soya and sesame seeds. Check the latest packaging to see which are listed as ingredients or possible traces.
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Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa dark chocolate, 100 g
This bar has a stated cocoa percentage, making it a useful option if you’re comparing dark chocolate for your stall’s range.
At least 70% cocoa; 100 g pack. Check the preparation instructions if you want to use it as a topping or ingredient.
The product information lists nuts, milk, soya and sesame seeds. Check the latest packaging for precise allergen details.
Frequently asked questions
Is a butter canoe pastry a dark chocolate canoe pastry?
Not according to the product description for AH Butter Canoes: Albert Heijn describes them as butter biscuits with pastry cream filling and almonds, without mentioning dark chocolate. For a different variety, always check the exact product name and ingredients.
How do you melt Verkade 71% Cooking Chocolate?
Verkade recommends melting its 71% Cooking Chocolate in a bain-marie, using hot water that isn’t boiling. Follow the instructions on the latest packaging and take care when working with hot equipment.
Does an oliebollen stall have to provide allergen information?
Yes. According to Ondernemersplein, customers must be able to get clear information about allergens in non-prepacked food. Use the latest ingredients, your recipe and any possible cross-contamination during preparation to determine what information to give customers.
What should you check on prepacked chocolate?
At the very least, check the product name, ingredients and allergen information. Your Europe describes these as part of the EU rules for prepacked food. Before using the product at your stall, also check the use-by or best-before date, storage instructions and any preparation guidance on the packaging.