Dark chocolate lovers
If you’re looking for a pronounced cocoa flavour for King’s Day, look beyond the word ‘dark’. A stated percentage of chocolate in a biscuit is not the same as the cocoa percentage of the chocolate itself.
Who are these biscuits for?
Hosts who want to share biscuits
When serving biscuits with coffee or tea, it matters how many a pack contains and whether they’re already divided into small portions. So compare the number of biscuits, pack weight and packaging format.
Shoppers checking for allergens
If you’re buying biscuits for guests with an allergy, check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the exact variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information on the label.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve biscuits, cookies or individually portioned biscuits. Then compare the chocolate information and the label for the specific variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa content | Look for the cocoa percentage of the chocolate itself. Don’t confuse this with the proportion of chocolate in the whole biscuit. | If I’m looking for a pronounced cocoa flavour, I want to be able to compare varieties with a specific percentage. For around 31% of consumers, being able to verify this is the most important factor. |
| Portions and packaging | Compare pack weight, number of biscuits and whether they’re individually wrapped. | For my King’s Day gathering, I want to have enough biscuits ready without portioning them all in advance. Around 25% of consumers prioritise how easy they are to share. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. | When guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the variety I’ve chosen. For around 25% of consumers, checking this is the top priority. |
| Variety and availability | Check that the dark variety you want is available; if you choose an alternative, check its label again. | I don’t want to rely on a product listing only to find I have to choose a different biscuit. For around 19% of consumers, the available variety comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘dark’ means a confirmed high cocoa content
Jumbo states that its Dark Chocolate Biscuits contain 63% chocolate in the biscuit. This isn’t the cocoa percentage of the chocolate used. The same distinction applies to the 40% dark chocolate pieces in its Chocolate Cookies.
Only compare cocoa content when the percentage of cocoa solids in the chocolate is explicitly stated on the current packaging or product page.
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Relying on the flavour name alone when dealing with allergies
A name that includes ‘dark’ doesn’t tell you which allergens the biscuit contains or which precautionary warnings apply. This information can vary by variety.
Before serving, read the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging you receive.
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Treating an old product listing as a current option
A product page can remain online after a variety has disappeared from an online range. Jumbo states that Verkade Nizza Coconut Dark Chocolate is no longer in its online range.
Check availability shortly before buying. If you choose a replacement biscuit, check its ingredients, allergens and pack contents again.
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Mistaking a chocolate selection for biscuits made exclusively with dark chocolate
The Biscotto pack of chocolate biscuits described by ALDI Netherlands combines dark, white and milk chocolate. It’s not suitable for a platter where you want to offer only biscuits with dark chocolate.
Check whether ‘dark’ applies to every biscuit in the pack or just some of them.
Brands to consider
Jumbo
Jumbo describes both its Dark Chocolate Biscuits and its Chocolate Cookies with dark chocolate pieces.
- The product pages include information such as pack weight and the proportion of chocolate or chocolate pieces: 63% and 40% of the product respectively.
- These percentages don’t indicate the cocoa content of the chocolate.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Bakeries describes a speculoos variety with dark chocolate in a pack of 7 × 3 biscuits.
- The individually portioned pack makes sharing straightforward.
- Check the ingredients if you have dietary requirements; according to Lotus, the chocolate contains milk derivatives. The product information doesn’t state a specific cocoa percentage.
Verkade
Verkade Nizza Coconut Dark Chocolate is a specific variety to assess for its flavour and ingredients, not a description of all Verkade biscuits.
- The Jumbo product listing states that it contains 22% dark chocolate.
- Jumbo says this variety is no longer in its online range. Check current availability before counting on it.
Biscotto
ALDI Netherlands describes a Biscotto pack containing 20 chocolate biscuits, weighing 250 g in total.
- The number of biscuits and pack weight are stated, making it easier to judge how much you’ll need for serving.
- This pack contains biscuits with dark, white and milk chocolate, so it isn’t an exclusively dark chocolate variety.
Sondey
Sondey is the biscuit brand featured on Lidl’s brand page.
- The brand includes a range of biscuits and cookies.
- For this purpose, choose based on the label of a specific variety: check whether it contains dark chocolate and whether a cocoa percentage is stated.
Biscuits on Joybuy
These Joybuy products are biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour or dark chocolate, including small packs and a matcha variety. A dark flavour name doesn’t in itself confirm a high cocoa content; check the label on the pack you choose to compare.
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Franzzi Premium Dark Chocolate Flavour Cookies, 70 g
A 70 g pack to consider if you’re looking for a smaller selection of biscuits to serve with coffee or tea.
The name indicates a dark chocolate flavour. Check the label if cocoa content or allergens will influence your choice.
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Franzzi Mellow Dark Chocolate Flavoured Cookies, 115 g
This 115 g pack is another option if you want to serve biscuits with a dark chocolate flavour.
Compare the pack information with the number of portions you need, and check the label for cocoa and allergen information.
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quduoduo Chunky Cookies Dark Chocolate Flavour, 72 g
A 72 g pack of chunky cookies for anyone who wants to compare this style of biscuit with other dark chocolate flavour options.
Don’t judge the cocoa content by the flavour name; check the allergens on the packaging too.
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Bourbon Alfort Mini Chocolate Dark Matcha, 12 pieces, 60 g
The 12 mini biscuits weigh 60 g in total and are an option if you want to offer small portions with dark chocolate and matcha.
Before serving, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging, and look for a cocoa percentage there if it matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ on a chocolate biscuit automatically mean it has a high cocoa content?
No. Jumbo states that its Dark Chocolate Biscuits contain 63% chocolate in the biscuit, while its Chocolate Cookies contain 40% dark chocolate pieces. Neither figure is the cocoa percentage of the chocolate. Look for a separate figure on the current label.
Which allergens should I check when sharing chocolate biscuits?
Check the ingredients, allergens and any precautionary warnings for each variety you choose. The Jumbo biscuits described list allergens including wheat or gluten, milk and soya; warnings can vary by product. So read the label on the pack you’re serving.
How should I store opened chocolate biscuits until it’s time to serve them?
Seal the opened pack securely and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. The product information for the Jumbo biscuits described recommends storing them in a cool, dry place; it also suggests keeping the biscuits in an airtight tin.