Who is this choice relevant to?

Oliebollen makers looking for Fairtrade chocolate

Your own recipe uses chocolate as an ingredient or topping. You’ll want to check the Fairtrade claim on the product you choose and read the label before using it.

Shoppers who want to distinguish taaitaai from oliebollen ingredients

You want to avoid buying biscuits when you need ingredients for oliebollen. The recipes from Albert Heijn Allerhande and Jumbo treat taaitaai as an oven-baked biscuit.

Supermarket shoppers who aren’t tied to one shop

You compare Fairtrade chocolate at different supermarkets. A claim on a product page can help you search, but check the specific product and the range at your local shop before choosing.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, read your oliebollen recipe to see whether you need chocolate. Then compare the Fairtrade claim and the label on the chocolate you actually plan to use.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade claim Check the Fairtrade mark or explicit description on the specific chocolate product, and read what it applies to. If I add chocolate, I want to see what the Fairtrade claim applies to on the product I choose; this check comes first for around 42% of consumers.
Suitable ingredient Check whether your own oliebollen recipe calls for chocolate. Don’t automatically buy taaitaai as a substitute for chocolate. I want to know what my recipe needs first, so I don’t buy taaitaai for a recipe where I’m looking for chocolate; this recipe choice is the main consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Specific product Compare the current product information and packaging, including ingredients and allergens, at the shop where you plan to buy it. I want to find the chocolate I have in mind at my shop, rather than relying only on a general own-brand policy; around 25% of consumers prioritise finding a specific product.

Common mistakes

  • Buying taaitaai when you’re looking for chocolate

    The taaitaai recipes from Albert Heijn Allerhande and Jumbo describe an oven-baked biscuit. That’s a different way of making something from preparing oliebollen yourself.

    Check your oliebollen recipe before you shop. Only choose chocolate if it’s included in your recipe or planned topping.

  • Assuming a supermarket policy applies to every bar

    Lidl lists various certifications for its own-brand cocoa. So a general statement about cocoa doesn’t necessarily tell you which claim appears on an individual chocolate product.

    Read the Fairtrade claim on the current product page and packaging of the exact bar you want to buy.

  • Confusing Fairtrade with a recipe instruction

    According to Fairtrade International, the Fairtrade mark applies to ingredients that meet the relevant Fairtrade Standards. The mark doesn’t tell you which chocolate your oliebollen recipe calls for or which allergens the product contains.

    As well as checking the mark, read the ingredients list and allergen information, and follow the instructions in your own recipe.

Relevant brands and shops

These examples can help you search for Fairtrade chocolate; always check the individual product when you buy.

Albert Heijn

For AH Biologisch Reep extra puur, Albert Heijn states that the required quantity of ingredients has been traded and verified as Fairtrade.

  • The Fairtrade description is linked to a specific bar; the product information also mentions mass balance.
  • This product claim says nothing about the Fairtrade status of other chocolate or taaitaai at Albert Heijn.

PLUS

PLUS says the cocoa in its own-brand products has been Fairtrade-certified since 2020. It also includes Fairtrade in the names of individual chocolate products.

  • You can check both the statement about own-brand cocoa and the information about a specific product.
  • For your chosen product, still check the packaging, ingredients and allergens.

Lidl

Lidl describes a partnership with Fairtrade for its Way To Go chocolate range.

  • The Fairtrade claim is linked to a named product range.
  • Lidl also lists other certifications for its own-brand cocoa. So check the claim on the product you choose.

ALDI

ALDI lists 200 g Choceur Pure Chocolade as Fairtrade chocolate.

  • The product listing links the Fairtrade claim to a specific chocolate and pack size.
  • Check whether the product is available at your local shop and read the current label.

Jumbo

Fairtrade Netherlands lists various organic products at Jumbo, including chocolate.

  • This makes Jumbo a useful starting point if you’re looking for Fairtrade chocolate.
  • Check the Fairtrade claim and product information for the chocolate you eventually choose.

Chocolate for your own recipe

These Joybuy products are chocolate bars for anyone wanting to use chocolate in their own oliebollen recipe or as a topping. They aren’t taaitaai products; before buying, check that the ingredients and any additions are suitable for what you want to make.

Tony's Chocolonely Pure 70% dark chocolate bar, 180 g

Tony's Chocolonely Pure 70% – 180 g

A dark chocolate bar to consider if your own recipe calls for chocolate; the product description states that it is Fairtrade.

The information about the minimum cocoa content is contradictory. Check the current packaging for details, as well as the allergen information, including soy.

Check your recipe to see whether this bar is suitable for the way you want to use the chocolate.

View on Joybuy
Tony's Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel chocolate bar, 180 g

Tony's Chocolonely Milk Pecan Caramel – 180 g

A milk chocolate bar with pecan and caramel to consider if those additions suit your planned recipe or topping; the product description states that it is Fairtrade.

Check the current packaging for allergen information, including milk, soy, pecan and cereals containing gluten.

Before using it, check that the additions suit the way you want to incorporate the chocolate into or serve it with your oliebollen.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does taaitaai belong in homemade oliebollen?

Not as a standard ingredient. The taaitaai recipes from Albert Heijn Allerhande and Jumbo describe an oven-baked biscuit made with ingredients including flour, honey and spices; follow the ingredients in your own recipe when making oliebollen.

How can I recognise Fairtrade chocolate?

Check for the Fairtrade mark or an explicit Fairtrade description on the chocolate product you choose. Then read the packaging to see what the claim applies to and which ingredients and allergens the product contains.

Does Fairtrade mean the cocoa is kept physically separate?

Not necessarily. For AH Biologisch Reep extra puur, Albert Heijn mentions mass balance; this doesn’t mean that every batch of cocoa used is guaranteed to remain physically separate. If this distinction matters to your choice, read the explanation for the specific product.

What temperature should I fry homemade oliebollen at?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises frying oliebollen at 175 °C and not for longer than necessary. This cooking advice doesn’t tell you whether a particular chocolate bar is suitable for your batter; check your recipe for that.