Choose a box of chocolates if you want your tea-time treat to double as a gift, offer a choice of flavours or share individually wrapped chocolates. Eierkoeken are a better choice if you want a simple biscuit without gift packaging. For either option, check the number of pieces, the ingredients and the label on the exact product.
A box of chocolates is a good choice if the packaging is part of the gift or you want to offer a range of flavours. For example, Albert Heijn describes a Merci gift box containing individually wrapped chocolates, while Verkade offers a personalised gift box with two bars. These are two different types of chocolate gift.
For a casual cup of tea, a pack of eierkoeken may be enough if gift presentation isn’t important. Albert Heijn lists its 360 g pack as twelve 30 g portions, while Jumbo also offers a pack containing four eierkoeken.
The ingredients in the exact product are what matter. The eierkoeken from Bolletje, Albert Heijn and Jumbo included in our research, as well as the chocolate gifts, all contain allergens to be aware of. Always check the product you buy for any ‘may contain’ warnings too.
First decide whether you’re buying a gift or simply looking for something to serve with tea. Then check the number of pieces, ingredients and storage instructions on each pack.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gift presentation | Look at the packaging and check that the contents are right for the occasion. | For a thank-you gift, I want something I can give without having to wrap it myself. Gift presentation is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Sharing and choice of flavours | Compare the number of pieces, portion size and flavours; the total weight alone doesn’t tell you enough. | If I’m having several guests, I want to be able to share the treats and cater for different tastes. Ease of sharing and variety are the main considerations for around 25% of consumers. |
| A simple biscuit | Choose between a plain eierkoek and a version with different ingredients or toppings; check the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. | For a casual cup of tea, I’d rather have a light, airy biscuit than a chocolate assortment. For around 25% of consumers, that simple treat is the deciding factor. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the exact product. | If I’m buying for someone with a dietary requirement, I need to know what’s in this particular version. This check is the first priority for around 19% of consumers. |
Product information for the Bolletje, Albert Heijn and Jumbo eierkoeken included in our research lists ingredients such as egg, milk, soya and cereals containing gluten. A light, airy texture doesn’t mean a product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you’re actually buying.
A 400 g pack may contain individual chocolates, while Albert Heijn describes its 360 g pack of eierkoeken as twelve 30 g portions. When you’re sharing, the number of pieces is just as important as the weight.
Count the pieces or portions available for your guests, and check whether the chocolates are individually wrapped.
The Merci gift box and Lindt chocolate heart included in our research differ in presentation and types of chocolate. Ingredients and allergens can also vary from one box to another.
Check the flavour mix, fillings and allergens in the box you choose, especially if you’re buying it for other people.
A dated listing for a store item doesn’t tell you whether it will be available when you visit.
Check the latest store information before making a special trip for that item.
Brosse Eierkoek is an option for a casual tea-time treat, rather than a chocolate gift.
The Verkade Cadeaushop offers a personalised chocolate gift box with two bars, a message and a photo.
The products included in our research range from AH Eierkoeken to Merci and Lindt chocolate gifts.
Jumbo offers its own eierkoeken, as well as an assortment of chocolates and pralines as separate options to serve with tea.
Lidl presents sweets, chocolate and cakes as options for a snack or to enjoy with tea and coffee.
The chocolate options included in our research are 300 g boxes of Choceur pralines and 400 g boxes of Moser Roth Belgian chocolates.
These products are suited to choosing chocolate as a small gift or something to share with tea. If you’d rather serve a simple biscuit, use the information above to compare eierkoeken; the chocolate products below aren’t a substitute for that choice.
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An option if you want to bring chocolates as a small gift and share them out individually.
Contents: 400 g. Check the flavours and allergens on the pack before sharing.
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A chocolate option if you’d like to offer a choice of flavours with tea.
Contents: 200 g. If you want to offer one to each guest, check how many chocolates are in the pack and read the label for allergen information.
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A smaller pack of chocolates to bring as a little gift.
Contents: 125 g. If sharing is important, check the number of pieces and check the allergens in this version.
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These pralines are ideal for sharing with tea if you’re not expecting the packaging to double as a gift box.
Contents: 173 g. Check the allergens on the pack before offering them to guests.
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A little chocolate gift to bring along for tea.
Contents: 110 g. If you’re sharing the pack, check the number of pralines and the allergen information.
Choose a box of chocolates if presentation and individual pieces matter. Albert Heijn describes its Merci Gift Box as containing 32 individually wrapped chocolates; the Lindt Lindor pack included in our research is heart-shaped. For a casual tea without a gift in mind, eierkoeken may be a better fit.
Yes, if they’d prefer a biscuit, but you should still check the ingredients. The AH and Jumbo eierkoeken included in our research list ingredients such as egg, milk, soya and wheat or cereals containing gluten. Read the label on the exact product before buying it for a guest.
Use the online description to choose a product, then read the label on the pack you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the labels of prepacked foods. Check for warnings about possible traces too.
Follow the storage advice and date on the packaging of the product you choose. Albert Heijn recommends storing its eierkoeken in a cool, dry, dark place and resealing the pack after opening; the product information for the Lindt chocolates included in our research says to store them in a cool, dry place.
