Anyone who regularly shares something with coffee
Dutch gingerbread that can be served by the slice is a good fit for a relaxed coffee table. Check the packaging and serving size, as nutritional values vary by brand and variety.
Who is each option suited to?
Anyone comparing sugars and fibre
For a Zero variety or Dutch gingerbread with no added sugars, the sugar content per serving still matters. Also check the sweeteners, allergens and any usage warnings.
Anyone taking a gift along
If the packaging and the gesture are the main priorities, a box of chocolates serves a different purpose from an everyday slice of Dutch gingerbread. Check the contents and allergens for the people you plan to share it with.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve something by the slice or take a gift along. If you choose Dutch gingerbread, compare the nutritional information for the specific variety, ideally using similar serving sizes.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch gingerbread to share | Check whether the loaf is pre-sliced, and compare the serving size and allergens on the packaging. | I want to serve slices with coffee without much preparation. For around 38% of consumers, this practical way of sharing comes first. |
| Sugars and fibre | Compare sugars and fibre per similar serving; for Zero varieties, check the ingredients and warnings too. | If I choose Dutch gingerbread, I want to know how much sugar and fibre a slice contains and whether it includes sweeteners. This is the main priority for an estimated 25% of consumers. |
| A gift to enjoy with coffee | Check the gift packaging, contents and allergens of the box of chocolates you choose. | I’m mainly looking for something to take along or display on the table, rather than an everyday loaf. Around 37% of consumers prioritise the gift aspect. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming no added sugars means sugar-free
Jumbo also lists naturally occurring sugars in its Zero% Dutch gingerbread. The variety contains sweeteners and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per serving, and read the ingredients and warnings on the packaging of the variety you choose.
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Assuming Dutch gingerbread is gluten-free
Jumbo lists rye and wheat in its Naturel Dutch gingerbread. So the product name alone doesn’t tell you whether a particular variety is suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten.
Check the allergen information for the exact product you plan to serve.
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Assuming all Dutch gingerbread contains iodine
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt. That doesn’t mean iodine is a guaranteed feature of every loaf of Dutch gingerbread.
Check the ingredients of the individual product or ask the manufacturer for clarification if you need this information to make your choice.
Brands and ranges to consider
Peijnenburg
Peijnenburg offers plain Dutch gingerbread and a pre-sliced variety with no added sugars.
- The product description for the variety with no added sugars lists rye and spices.
- For its individually wrapped plain variety, Peijnenburg warns that it may contain milk, hazelnuts, almonds and other gluten-containing cereals. Check the variety you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers both Naturel Dutch gingerbread and a pre-sliced Zero% variety, so you can compare two different recipes.
- Jumbo lists 10.0 g of sugars per 25.5 g serving for its Naturel variety, and 1.7 g of sugars and 5.2 g of fibre per 30 g serving for its pre-sliced Zero% variety. The serving sizes are different.
- The Zero% variety contains sweeteners and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Koek & Bakker
At ALDI, this range includes pre-sliced Zero and wholemeal Dutch gingerbread, as well as an unsliced variety with pearl sugar crystals.
- ALDI describes the Zero variety as pre-sliced and containing no added sugars; the wholemeal variety is pre-sliced too.
- The variety with pearl sugar crystals is unsliced. Check the specific packaging if you want to serve slices straight away.
Tastino
Lidl offers Tastino Dutch gingerbread as well as a separate Zero variety.
- The Ontbijtkoek Zero described by Lidl comes in a 485 g pack.
- Lidl says this Zero variety is available to buy in store. Check the latest product information if you need a specific variety.
AH
Albert Heijn presents chocolate gifts as a separate product category alongside Dutch gingerbread.
- The chocolate gifts selection includes a range of mixed assortments and gift boxes.
- A gift box and Dutch gingerbread don’t necessarily serve the same purpose. Check the contents, ingredients and allergens of the product you choose.
Products for the coffee table or as a gift
This selection of Joybuy products includes chocolate assortments to take along or share, plus one pre-sliced wholemeal loaf of Dutch gingerbread to serve by the slice. An assortment for sharing isn’t necessarily presented as a gift.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate assortment for anyone wanting to take a little gift along for coffee. Check the allergens on the packaging before sharing it with others.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted, 385 g
A chocolate assortment for sharing over coffee or taking along. Read the allergen information on the packaging before handing it out.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift for anyone wanting to take something along or share it over coffee. Check the ingredients and allergens on the chosen pack for the people receiving it.
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g'woon sliced wholemeal Dutch gingerbread, 485 g
Pre-sliced Dutch gingerbread for anyone wanting to serve slices with coffee. The product information lists 43% wholemeal rye flour, 34 g of sugars and 5.9 g of fibre per 100 g. Rye is listed among the ingredients, but the stated allergen declaration contradicts this; if you have an allergy, ask for clarification before serving the loaf.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
A chocolate assortment for anyone wanting to put something out for everyone to share. Don’t assume it comes in gift packaging, and check the allergens before serving.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose a box of chocolates instead of Dutch gingerbread?
Choose a box of chocolates if you’re mainly looking for something to take along or give as a gift. Albert Heijn presents chocolate gifts as a separate product category, while Dutch gingerbread is suited to serving by the slice with coffee.
Is Dutch gingerbread with no added sugars sugar-free?
No, those descriptions don’t mean the same thing. For its pre-sliced Zero% Dutch gingerbread, Jumbo lists naturally occurring sugars, so check the ‘of which sugars’ figure per serving and read the ingredients too.
Can I serve ordinary Dutch gingerbread to someone who needs to avoid gluten?
Don’t assume it’s suitable without checking. Jumbo lists rye and wheat in its Naturel Dutch gingerbread. Check the label for the variety you’ve chosen, and ask for clarification if the allergen information is unclear or contradictory.
Does Dutch gingerbread always contain iodine?
No, this doesn’t follow from the Dutch rules on baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt, up to a maximum of 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. This doesn’t establish what any individual loaf of Dutch gingerbread contains. Check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer for product information.
How should I store Dutch gingerbread after buying it?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you’ve chosen. Jumbo says to store its Naturel Dutch gingerbread in a cool, dry place; don’t assume the same instructions apply to every other variety.