A host who cares about Fairtrade cocoa
You want to serve canoe pastries on St Nicholas’ Eve and are looking for a Fairtrade claim that applies to the product you choose, not just the brand.
Who is this choice relevant to?
A guest who checks allergens
You’re mindful of the ingredients that matter to the people attending. With canoe pastries, almond paste deserves particular attention; also check the other ingredients and allergens for each variety.
A festive shopper comparing packs
You want enough treats for everyone, so you check the pack size, the variety you’ve chosen and the information on the current packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
Packaged canoe pastries need less preparation, while baking them yourself gives you more control over the ingredients but takes time. Either way, a Fairtrade claim for cocoa doesn’t automatically say anything about the other ingredients.
Packaged canoe pastry
Choose this option: if you want to keep preparation to a minimum and can check the Fairtrade claim on the packaging or product page for the canoe pastry you’ve chosen.
What to consider: you’ll need to rely on the ingredients and allergen information for that specific variety.
Homemade canoe pastry
Choose this option: if you want to select Fairtrade cocoa or chocolate yourself and tailor the recipe to your guests’ needs.
What to consider: baking takes time, and you’ll need to check each ingredient individually; using Fairtrade cocoa doesn’t make the whole recipe Fairtrade.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who might prioritise this? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Check the packaging or product page for the canoe pastry to see what the Fairtrade mark or the claim ‘Fairtrade cocoa’ applies to. | If the origin of the cocoa is the deciding factor for me, I want to find the claim on the canoe pastry itself. Around 40% of consumers give this product-specific Fairtrade check top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen, especially for almonds and any other ingredients that matter to your guests. | When I’m sharing canoe pastries with others, I need to be able to check that the variety I’ve chosen is suitable for their stated allergies. For around 30% of consumers, this check comes first. |
| Flavour and sharing | Choose between a traditional canoe pastry with almond paste, a chocolate variety or a homemade recipe; also check how many are included. | I’m looking for a treat that suits the group and is easy to share. Flavour and shareability are the first consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Pack size and retailer | Compare the number of pastries or the weight, and check the product information for the exact pack you’re choosing. | When I’m shopping for a group, I want to buy enough canoe pastries without skipping the product checks. Around 10% of consumers prioritise choosing the right pack size. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a statement about a brand applies to every canoe pastry
In 2022, Fairtrade reported that the cocoa in Verkade biscuits was Fairtrade. When you’re buying, what matters too is what’s stated on the packaging for the canoe pastry you’ve chosen.
Check the specific variety for a Fairtrade cocoa claim or an applicable Fairtrade mark.
-
Assuming every guest can eat a canoe pastry
According to the Heel Holland Bakt recipe, a traditional canoe pastry contains almond paste. Other ingredients and allergens depend on the recipe and variety.
Ask which allergies you need to be aware of, then check the latest ingredients and allergen information for the product or all the ingredients you’re using before serving.
Relevant brands and retailers
These names may be useful when looking for cocoa, biscuits or ingredients. Always assess a canoe pastry using the information for the product you’re choosing.
Verkade
Relevant if you’re wondering whether the cocoa in packaged biscuits is Fairtrade.
- In 2022, Fairtrade reported that all the cocoa in Verkade biscuits was Fairtrade. Albert Heijn lists Fairtrade cocoa for Verkade Lange Nekken, another biscuit product.
- Don’t rely on this information instead of checking the packaging and ingredients list for the specific canoe pastry you want to buy.
Fairtrade Original
An ingredient brand to consider if you’re baking canoe pastries and want to use cocoa.
- Fairtrade Original lists cocoa powder with a Fairtrade claim.
- Cocoa powder isn’t a ready-made canoe pastry. Check the other ingredients in your recipe separately.
Albert Heijn
A retailer where you can check product information about ingredients and allergens.
- The product information for Verkade Lange Nekken lists Fairtrade cocoa and allergens.
- Information about those biscuits doesn’t substantiate a Fairtrade claim for an individual canoe pastry.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does Fairtrade cocoa mean all the ingredients in a canoe pastry are Fairtrade?
No. A claim about Fairtrade cocoa applies to the cocoa, not automatically to the other ingredients. Check the packaging to see what the mark or claim applies to.
How can I identify Fairtrade cocoa in a packaged canoe pastry?
Look for an explicit Fairtrade cocoa claim or Fairtrade mark on the current packaging or product page for that canoe pastry, and check what the claim applies to. A general statement about the brand isn’t a substitute.
Which allergens should I check in canoe pastries?
For a traditional canoe pastry, make sure you check for almond paste. Also check the full ingredients and allergen information for the variety you’ve chosen or, if you’re baking, for every ingredient; recipes and ingredient lists can vary.
Can I bake canoe pastries using Fairtrade cocoa?
Yes. You can choose Fairtrade cocoa or chocolate as an ingredient if it suits your recipe. Check the Fairtrade claim for that ingredient separately: it doesn’t automatically say anything about the other ingredients in the canoe pastry.