Who is this choice relevant to?

Colleagues looking for dark chocolate

If ‘dark’ mainly means chocolate flavour for your team, start with dark chocolate flakes or sprinkles. Muisjes are a different product, with a distinctive aniseed flavour.

Buyers stocking a shared office kitchen

If you’re putting something out for several colleagues, decide whether a shared pack or individual portions would be more practical. Keep the packaging available so everyone can check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.

Organisers of an office celebration

For a celebration to mark a birth, the traditional character of Muisjes may be exactly why you’re buying them. They’re not a substitute for a dark chocolate topping if flavour is the priority.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want to serve aniseed or chocolate. Then choose packaging that suits how you’ll use it: as a topping or for sharing around the office.

Traditional Muisjes

Choose these: if the celebratory character and aniseed flavour of Muisjes matter more than chocolate.

Bear in mind: these aren’t a dark chocolate option; Jumbo’s description of De Ruijter Crushed Muisjes lists wheat.

Dark chocolate flakes

Choose these: if you want to offer chocolate flakes as a topping instead of aniseed Muisjes.

Bear in mind: reseal a shared pack after use, and check the allergen information for the variety you choose.

Dark chocolate sprinkles in portions

Choose these: if you want to offer pre-portioned chocolate sprinkles to a larger team.

Bear in mind: individual portions also mean individual packaging; the De Ruijter portions reviewed contain milk and soya.

What to consider What to check Who is this important for?
Chocolate rather than aniseed Check the exact packaging to see which product it is and what percentage of cocoa solids it contains. Jumbo lists at least 32% for the De Ruijter Pure flakes and portions of sprinkles reviewed. If I’m looking for a topping for colleagues who specifically want chocolate, I’d rather not choose aniseed Muisjes. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this flavour choice.
Serving and storage Decide whether you want a shared pack or individual portions, and read the storage instructions. The De Ruijter multipack listed by Jumbo contains 120 portions of 20 g. When several colleagues share the same stock, I want serving it to be straightforward. For around 30% of consumers, this practical aspect is their main concern.
Traditional Muisjes character Choose the Muisjes variety you want and check the ingredients and allergens; the crushed variety described by Jumbo contains wheat. For an office celebration, I may specifically want to serve the familiar aniseed flavour, even though it isn’t chocolate. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this celebratory character.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘dark Muisjes’ means chocolate Muisjes

    The Muisjes categories at Albert Heijn and Jumbo feature traditional varieties. For De Ruijter Crushed Muisjes, Jumbo lists ingredients including sugar, aniseed and wheat starch.

    Look for dark chocolate flakes or sprinkles if chocolate is the main reason for buying; choose Muisjes if you want aniseed and the associated celebratory theme.

  • Assuming the cocoa percentage from the product name

    A percentage shown on one pack doesn’t automatically apply to another variety or pack size. The minimum of 32% listed by Jumbo applies to the De Ruijter products reviewed.

    Check the percentage of cocoa solids, ingredients and nutritional information on the packaging of the exact product you’re buying.

  • Checking allergens only after putting food out

    The products reviewed differ: Jumbo lists wheat in De Ruijter Crushed Muisjes, and milk and soya in the dark chocolate sprinkle portions. Soya is listed for the dark chocolate flakes reviewed, and they may contain milk.

    Make sure colleagues can check the packaging or an accurate product information card before eating, and keep different products clearly separated.

  • Assuming a category listing means an item is in stock

    A product shown in a supermarket range doesn’t tell you whether the variety you’ve chosen will be available for your shop or delivery address when you place your order.

    Check the exact product page and your chosen store or delivery address before planning your office supplies.

Relevant brands and retailers

De Ruijter

The brand features in the traditional Muisjes and dark chocolate toppings reviewed.

  • Jumbo lists at least 32% cocoa solids for the Pure flakes and dark chocolate sprinkle portions reviewed.
  • Muisjes, flakes and sprinkles aren’t interchangeable in flavour or allergens; check the label for each variety.

Jumbo

Alongside branded products, the supermarket also offers Jumbo Dark Chocolate Flakes 300 g in its flakes range.

  • Its own-brand dark flakes give you another product to compare with branded varieties.
  • Check the cocoa percentage, ingredients and allergens on that exact pack before comparing products.

Albert Heijn

The supermarket lists traditional De Ruijter Muisjes and De Ruijter Royaal Extra Dark Chocolate Flakes in separate categories.

  • The categories help you distinguish between Muisjes and chocolate flakes.
  • Don’t assume the category name ‘extra dark’ tells you the exact cocoa percentage or allergen profile.

Venz

Venz is a brand in the flakes range shown by Jumbo, including a dark chocolate and vanilla combination.

  • The combination offers a different flavour option from flakes that are entirely dark chocolate.
  • Check the exact variety if a confirmed cocoa percentage or specific allergen information is important to you.

Choca

Choca flakes are listed as a separate option in the flakes range shown by Jumbo.

  • The brand gives you another flakes product to compare using the label information.
  • The brand name alone doesn’t tell you whether a particular Choca variety is suitable if you’re looking for dark chocolate.

Chocolate toppings at Joybuy

These chocolate sprinkles suit you if you’re looking for a chocolate topping rather than aniseed Muisjes. Check the label on the exact pack if the cocoa percentage or allergens are key considerations for your office.

De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 390 g

De Ruijter Dark Chocolate Sprinkles 390 g

Chocolate sprinkles to serve as a topping when aniseed Muisjes aren’t the flavour you’re looking for.

390 g pack. Check the cocoa percentage and allergen information on the exact packaging before putting it out for colleagues.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are ‘dark Muisjes’ the same as dark chocolate flakes?

No, Muisjes and dark chocolate flakes are different products. The Muisjes categories at Albert Heijn and Jumbo feature traditional varieties; for the crushed Muisjes reviewed, Jumbo lists ingredients including aniseed and wheat starch. Choose flakes if you’re specifically looking for a chocolate topping.

Where should I start if my team mainly wants dark chocolate?

Start with dark chocolate flakes or sprinkles rather than regular Muisjes. Jumbo lists at least 32% cocoa solids for the De Ruijter Pure flakes and sprinkle portions reviewed; check the exact pack if that percentage is important to your choice.

How can I make allergen information easy to access in the office kitchen?

Keep the packaging with the product or provide an accurate product information card so colleagues can check the allergens before eating. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that businesses offering food to consumers must provide information about allergens present; whether those rules apply to a particular internal office arrangement depends on the circumstances.

How should I store flakes or sprinkles at the office?

Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the pack you choose. The De Ruijter Pure flakes and dark chocolate sprinkle portions reviewed should be stored in a cool, dry place; carefully reseal an opened pack of flakes after use.