Host comparing sugar content
You want to serve something sweet with coffee, so you compare the listed sugars per 100 g rather than relying on words such as ‘light’ or ‘wholemeal’.
When comparing egg cakes for a coffee get-together, start by checking the sugar content per 100 g, then consider how much you’ll serve each guest. Jumbo lists 29.5 g of sugars per 100 g for its standard egg cakes, Albert Heijn lists 31 g for AH Eierkoeken, and Jumbo lists 42 g for Bolletje Brosse Eierkoeken met melklaagje. These differences do not prove that a product can make a ‘reduced sugar’ claim. If you’re serving guests, also check the ingredients and allergens on the latest packaging.
You want to serve something sweet with coffee, so you compare the listed sugars per 100 g rather than relying on words such as ‘light’ or ‘wholemeal’.
You want to know how many cakes to put out and how much each one weighs. A small, individually wrapped cake may work out differently from a larger standard egg cake.
You’re welcoming guests who need to be aware of certain ingredients or possible traces. You ask what you need to take into account and check the latest packaging before serving the cakes.
To compare sugar content, start with the same nutritional value per 100 g. Then use the figure per cake to work out what you’ll actually serve. Check allergens and fibre separately, as neither can be inferred from the sugar figure.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Sugars | Compare ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g, then check the weight of each cake. A lower figure alone does not substantiate a ‘reduced sugar’ claim. | If I want to serve less sugar with coffee, I need to be able to compare products on the same basis. This sugar comparison is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Ask guests about any relevant allergens and read the ingredients list and any warnings on the latest packaging. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to know which cake I can offer. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| Portions | Check the number of cakes, the weight per cake and the sugars per portion. A smaller cake does not necessarily contain less sugar per 100 g. | For a coffee table with several guests, I want to know in advance how to share out the cakes. Around 21% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Fibre | Check both fibre and sugars per 100 g when comparing a wholemeal version with a standard one. | If fibre matters to me, I don’t want to assume that ‘wholemeal’ also means less sugar. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Jumbo lists 3.9 g of fibre and 33.6 g of sugars per 100 g for its Volkoren Eierkoeken. The standard Jumbo Eierkoeken 4 Stuks lists 1.9 g of fibre and 29.5 g of sugars per 100 g. In this comparison, then, more fibre does not go hand in hand with less sugar.
Compare both figures per 100 g and decide which quality matters more for your coffee get-together.
According to Jumbo’s product information, one Bolletje Brosse Eierkoek met melklaagje contains 6.6 g of sugars per cake, which weighs around 15.5 g, but 42 g of sugars per 100 g. The figure per cake and the figure per 100 g answer different questions.
Use the figure per cake to work out what you’re serving, and the figure per 100 g to compare products.
Ingredients and nutritional values can change. This is particularly important if you need to check specific ingredients for a guest.
When you buy the cakes and before you serve them, read the nutritional information and allergen details on the packaging.
AH Eierkoeken are a standard option, with Albert Heijn listing values per 100 g as well as for a 30 g portion.
Jumbo offers standard and wholemeal versions, so you can compare their sugars and fibre per 100 g.
Bolletje Brosse Eierkoeken met melklaagje are small, individually wrapped cakes for anyone who wants to put out one per guest.
ALDI describes Heerlijck Banket Scharreleierkoeken as a pack of 12 cakes weighing 360 g, a size to consider when catering for a group.
Lidl describes egg cakes in a pack of 12, a size that works well for a coffee get-together with several guests.
No. Jumbo lists 33.6 g of sugars per 100 g for its Volkoren Eierkoeken, compared with 29.5 g per 100 g for Jumbo Eierkoeken 4 Stuks. The wholemeal version does list more fibre, though. If you’re choosing between these products, compare the two figures separately.
No. A lower figure for one product is not, by itself, enough to substantiate that claim. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that nutrition claims are subject to rules and conditions. So keep a comparison of the listed sugars per 100 g separate from any claim on the packaging.
Ask your guests which allergens are relevant to them, then check the latest ingredients list and any warnings. The egg cakes described here include ingredients such as egg, milk, cereals containing gluten and soya. For the Bolletje version, possible traces of nuts and sesame, among other things, are also listed. According to the European Union, allergens in prepacked foods must be highlighted in the ingredients list.
Follow the storage instructions and date on the packaging of the egg cakes you buy. Albert Heijn and Jumbo recommend storing the egg cakes described here in a cool, dry, dark place. Albert Heijn also advises sealing the pack properly after use.