Aniseed fans at coffee time
You’re after the sweet aniseed flavour of crushed aniseed sprinkles to enjoy on toast or as a topping during your coffee break.
Who might enjoy each flavour?
Dark chocolate fans
You want to swap aniseed for chocolate sprinkles and compare varieties with a stated cocoa percentage.
Comparing pack sizes and shapes
You’ve already chosen dark chocolate, but still need to decide which pack size and shape — sprinkles or flakes — will suit the way you use them.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to stick with aniseed or switch to chocolate. Then compare the chocolate varieties: a stated cocoa percentage, the shape and the pack size each tell you something different.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Aniseed or chocolate | Read the product description and ingredients to tell crushed aniseed apart from chocolate sprinkles. | If I want the familiar aniseed flavour with my coffee, dark chocolate won’t replace my usual sprinkles. Keeping that aniseed flavour is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Stated cocoa percentage | Only compare percentages stated for the specific variety, and check the allergen information too. | If you’re looking for a chocolate variety with a clearly stated higher cocoa percentage, you’ll want to compare the labels. This is the main priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Pack size and shape | Check the pack size and choose between chocolate sprinkles and flakes. | For regular use, I mainly want a pack size that suits me and a shape that works as a topping. This is the deciding factor for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means a type of crushed aniseed sprinkles
Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter Crushed Aniseed Sprinkles as crushed, sugar-coated aniseed. Dark chocolate sprinkles and flakes are different products, not simply a darker version of aniseed sprinkles.
First decide which flavour you want to keep: aniseed or chocolate.
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Assuming ‘dark’ always means the same cocoa percentage
According to Albert Heijn’s product listings, De Ruijter Specials Intense Dark Chocolate Sprinkles contain at least 52% cocoa solids, Royaal Extra Dark Chocolate Sprinkles at least 43%, and the dark chocolate flakes described here at least 32%.
Compare the percentage for each individual variety; don’t assume a figure from one pack applies to another.
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Guessing allergens from the product name
The crushed aniseed sprinkles described by Jumbo list wheat starch. The chocolate varieties described here list milk and/or soya.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, even if you’ve bought the same variety before.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
Worth considering if you’re choosing between crushed aniseed sprinkles, dark chocolate sprinkles and dark chocolate flakes.
- Albert Heijn’s product listings state at least 52% cocoa solids for Specials Intense Dark, 43% for Royaal Extra Dark and 32% for the dark flakes described here.
- These percentages apply to the individual varieties. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose too.
Albert Heijn
The own-brand range is worth considering if you want to compare dark chocolate flakes with other flakes or sprinkles.
- The AH Dark Chocolate Flakes described here come in a 300 g pack.
- The variety described here includes whole milk powder in its ingredients. Check the label if you need to avoid milk.
Jumbo
The own-brand range includes dark chocolate sprinkles in different pack sizes.
- The Jumbo varieties described here come in 380 g and 600 g packs.
- Check the cocoa percentage, ingredients and allergens for each variety before choosing based on these details.
Dark chocolate sprinkles on Joybuy
These products are for anyone looking to swap crushed aniseed sprinkles for dark chocolate sprinkles. Compare the pack sizes, and check the information for each individual variety if you’re choosing based on cocoa percentage or allergens.
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De Ruijter Intense Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, 200 g
An option if you’d like to swap aniseed for dark chocolate sprinkles during your coffee break. Check the cocoa percentage and allergens on the packaging for this variety.
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g'woon Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, 400 g
A dark chocolate option if you’d like to use sprinkles instead of aniseed. The pack contains 400 g; check the label for the cocoa percentage and allergens.
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De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Sprinkles, 390 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for anyone looking to switch from aniseed to chocolate. The pack contains 390 g; check the label for the cocoa percentage and allergens for this variety.
Frequently asked questions
Are dark crushed aniseed sprinkles the same as dark chocolate sprinkles?
No. The De Ruijter Crushed Aniseed Sprinkles described here are sugar-coated aniseed; dark chocolate sprinkles are made from chocolate. So if you’re after a chocolate flavour with your coffee, choose a different type of product rather than a dark version of those aniseed sprinkles.
Which of the chocolate varieties described has the highest stated cocoa percentage?
According to Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Specials Intense Dark Chocolate Sprinkles contain at least 52% cocoa solids. That’s higher than the stated minimums of 43% for the Royaal Extra Dark Chocolate Sprinkles described here and 32% for the De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Flakes described here. Only compare these figures with the corresponding varieties.
What should I check if I have an allergy?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging of the product you want to use. The crushed aniseed sprinkles described by Jumbo list wheat starch, while the chocolate products described here list milk and/or soya. Don’t rely on the word ‘dark’ alone.
How should I store crushed aniseed sprinkles or chocolate sprinkles after opening?
Store the crushed aniseed sprinkles described here in a dry place. The chocolate products described here should be stored in a cool, dry place. Reseal the packaging carefully after use and follow the instructions on the pack.