Fans of classic taaitaai
For someone who enjoys a spiced biscuit with coffee or tea, traditional taaitaai can be a thoughtful gift in its own right. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list anise in their product information.
Who is this option right for?
Gift-givers looking for a rich cocoa flavour
If ‘dark’ means dark chocolate to the recipient, check the ingredients list for cocoa and look for a stated cocoa percentage. The dark colour of taaitaai alone doesn’t tell you anything about its cocoa content.
Shoppers checking ingredients and portion sizes
If you need to take allergens into account or compare the amount per piece, you’ll need the current packaging. The classic taaitaai products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS that we looked at list wheat, rye and milk protein.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether anise biscuits or cocoa are the flavour you’re after. Then check the packaging and ingredients, and think about when you plan to give the treat.
| What to consider | What to check | Especially for |
|---|---|---|
| Rich cocoa flavour | Look for cocoa or cocoa mass in the ingredients list, and check the stated cocoa percentage if that’s a deciding factor. | If I want to give a pronounced chocolate flavour, a dark-looking biscuit isn’t enough. For around 40% of consumers, a cocoa flavour they can verify comes first. |
| Spiced flavour and presentation | Check the listed spices, shape and pack size, and whether the product is available around Mother’s Day. | For a small gesture to enjoy with coffee, I’m looking for familiar taaitaai that I can share. This traditional treat is the first choice for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens and portions | Read the current label for ingredients and allergens; compare the nutritional information per 100 g and, where available, per portion. | If I need to take ingredients into account or check the amount per piece, I want to be able to review the packaging before giving it. This information is a priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means lots of cocoa
Dark-looking taaitaai won’t necessarily meet a preference for dark chocolate. The ingredient lists for the classic products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS that we looked at contain no cocoa.
Check whether cocoa or cocoa mass is listed, and look for an explicit cocoa percentage if that will determine your choice.
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Assuming a product listing means it’s in stock for Mother’s Day
Taaitaai is also sold as part of seasonal St Nicholas ranges, including at PLUS. So a product page doesn’t tell you whether you’ll be able to buy it around Mother’s Day.
Check stock and the delivery or collection date with your chosen shop shortly before buying.
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Relying on an online image for allergen information
The classic taaitaai products we looked at list wheat, rye and milk protein, among other ingredients. For your final decision, check the allergen information on the packaging you receive.
Read the current label before giving the product, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly shown on food labels.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists an AH taaitaai product weighing 350 g, and you can check its product information in advance.
- The ingredients list includes rye, wheat, milk protein and star anise.
- The AH taaitaai product we looked at doesn’t list cocoa; check the label if the ingredients matter to you.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes in a 500 g pack.
- The product information lists aniseed, cinnamon, wheat, rye, milk protein and around 36 portions per pack.
- The listed ingredients don’t confirm a cocoa version; also check whether the shapes are available when you need them.
PLUS
PLUS lists artisan taaitaai biscuits in a 250 g pack.
- The product information lists anise, cinnamon, wheat, rye and milk protein.
- The taaitaai is listed in the St Nicholas range, and the ingredients list doesn’t confirm that it contains cocoa.
ALDI
ALDI describes a 500 g taaitaai product as anise-flavoured biscuits in assorted shapes.
- The description and pack size can help you decide whether the shapes will suit the occasion you have planned.
- Check the current label for ingredients and allergens before choosing this product.
Dirk
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai in a 500 g pack.
- The product name makes clear that this is mini taaitaai in a sharing pack.
- Check the packaging to make sure the ingredients, allergens and any cocoa meet the recipient’s requirements.
Chocolate alternatives on Joybuy
These two Lindt Excellence bars aren’t taaitaai. They’re alternatives if a stated cocoa percentage matters more than traditional anise biscuits. Compare the percentages, but don’t use them alone to assume which flavour someone will prefer.
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Lindt Excellence 90% Cocoa Supreme Dark, 100 g
A chocolate bar for a Mother’s Day gift when you’re looking for a stated cocoa percentage rather than the flavour of taaitaai.
The product name states 90% cocoa and the bar weighs 100 g. If you have allergies, check the current packaging; it notes that hazelnuts, other nuts, milk and soya may be present.
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Lindt Excellence 78% Cocoa, 100 g
This is also a chocolate bar rather than taaitaai, for anyone comparing alternatives with a stated cocoa percentage.
The product name states 78% cocoa and 100 g. The product information lists milk and notes that hazelnuts, almonds, other nuts and soya may be present; if you have allergies, read the current label.
Frequently asked questions
Does dark taaitaai mean it contains lots of cocoa?
No. A dark colour doesn’t indicate the cocoa content. The ingredient lists for the taaitaai products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS that we looked at contain no cocoa. If you specifically want cocoa, check the ingredients and look for a stated percentage.
What should I look out for with a gluten or milk allergy?
Read the current label before choosing taaitaai for someone with an allergy. The classic products from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS that we looked at list wheat, rye and milk protein; also check for warnings about other allergens.
How can I compare the amount of taaitaai per piece?
Use the portion size shown on the relevant packaging, as the pack weight and the weight per piece answer different questions. Albert Heijn and Jumbo each give a portion size of 14 g for their listed products; compare the nutritional information per portion with the figures per 100 g.
Can I buy taaitaai well before Mother’s Day?
Yes, as long as the use-by date and storage instructions on the pack you buy suit your plans. Check availability before you buy, too: a listing in a St Nicholas range doesn’t tell you whether the product will be in stock around Mother’s Day.