The shopper who looks for certification
Wants to check a Fairtrade claim on the cocoa or chocolate in the product they choose. If the claim isn’t clear on the speculaas, plain speculaas with a separate chocolate bar is a practical combination.
Who is this choice relevant to?
The practical stock-up shopper
Compares pack sizes and biscuit types to choose the right amount of speculaas for the cupboard. Plain and filled speculaas are different products.
The allergy-conscious biscuit shopper
Checks the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack before buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label of pre-packed foods.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether Fairtrade cocoa is a must-have. If it is, check the claim on the specific chocolate product rather than relying on the shop’s range.
Plain speculaas
A good choice when: You’re looking for speculaas to stock up on and Fairtrade cocoa isn’t a requirement.
The trade-off: As it contains no chocolate, the speculaas itself doesn’t offer a Fairtrade cocoa option.
Speculaas with separate chocolate
A good choice when: You want to check a product-specific Fairtrade claim on a separate chocolate bar.
The trade-off: You’ll need to choose and check two products instead of one.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Check whether the claim applies to the specific product and what it says about the cocoa or chocolate. If the claim refers to mass balance, read the explanation on the packaging too. | If I want Fairtrade cocoa, I need to see exactly what the claim applies to; around 42% of consumers put this check first. |
| Stocking up and biscuit type | Compare the pack weight, whether the speculaas is plain or filled, and the current shop listing. | When stocking up, I want to choose an amount and type of biscuit that suit how I’ll use it. Around 33% of consumers put this practical choice first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label, including the allergen information and any warnings about traces. | If I have an allergy, I need to be able to check the specific pack before eating the biscuits; around 25% of consumers say this is their main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a Fairtrade range means the speculaas is Fairtrade
A shop selling Fairtrade chocolate says nothing about the cocoa in a separate pack of speculaas.
Look for a claim on the exact product you want to buy and check whether it applies to the chocolate or cocoa it contains.
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Treating different certifications as the same
Lotus Bakeries names Rainforest Alliance certification for the chocolate in Biscoff chocolate bars. Lidl describes its Way To Go chocolate as Fairtrade-certified. These statements refer to different products and certifications.
Check which certification is named and which product range the claim applies to; don’t assume it applies to plain speculaas.
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Relying only on online information if you have an allergy
The product you receive may not match the product page. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed foods.
Check the allergen information on the current packaging before eating the product.
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Assuming an in-store product is always available online
Lidl lists its 600 g Bakkers speculaas as an in-store product. This matters if you want to top up your snack cupboard online.
Before buying, check the sales channel and the current listing for the pack you want.
Brands and shops to explore
Lotus Biscoff
A good point of reference for plain speculaas if you’re looking for biscuits without chocolate.
- Lotus Bakeries Netherlands lists wheat and soya among the ingredients in Lotus Biscoff.
- Lotus Bakeries’ Rainforest Alliance statement applies to the chocolate in Biscoff chocolate bars, not the plain biscuits.
Albert Heijn
A shop where you can compare speculaas with separate chocolate.
- Albert Heijn lists a Fairtrade claim based on mass balance for an AH Biologisch dark chocolate bar.
- The claim on that bar doesn’t automatically apply to speculaas. If it refers to mass balance, read what the claim covers.
Jumbo
A useful reference for plain speculaas when comparing pack sizes.
- Jumbo lists Bakkers Speculaas in a 600 g pack.
- Having a separate Fairtrade range doesn’t automatically make this speculaas a Fairtrade product.
Lidl
A shop where you can find speculaas alongside separate Way To Go chocolate.
- Lidl lists 600 g Bakkers speculaas as an in-store product and describes its Way To Go chocolate as Fairtrade-certified.
- The claim about the chocolate says nothing about whether the speculaas is certified.
ALDI
A shop where you can look for filled speculaas and separate Fairtrade chocolate.
- ALDI lists filled speculaas in a 240 g pack and a pack of 2 × 250 g.
- The Fairtrade chocolate in its range doesn’t support a Fairtrade claim for that filled speculaas.
Products for your snack cupboard
This selection includes speculaas in different pack sizes and one separate chocolate bar for anyone who wants to pair the two types of product. Always check a Fairtrade claim on the exact chocolate pack; plain speculaas on its own isn’t a Fairtrade cocoa option.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas biscuits, 8 pieces, 200 g
A pack of speculaas to consider if you’re looking to stock up on individually portioned snacks. The product name lists 8 pieces and 200 g; check the ingredients and allergens on the current pack.
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Lotus Biscoff Speculoos, 250 g
Plain speculoos for anyone who doesn’t want chocolate in their biscuits. The pack is 250 g; if you have allergies, check the ingredients on the current label.
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De Ruiter Baker's Speculaas, 450 g
Baker’s speculaas for anyone comparing 450 g packs when stocking up. Check the ingredients and allergens for this variety on the pack.
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g'woon almond speculaas, 400 g
An almond variety for anyone who wants to add this type of biscuit to their cupboard. The product name lists 400 g; as it contains almonds, check the allergens carefully on the current label.
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Tony's Chocolonely milk chocolate with pecan and caramel, 180 g
This is a 180 g chocolate bar, not speculaas, so you’ll need to buy the biscuits separately if you want to pair them. Check the exact pack for the Fairtrade claim and allergen information that apply to this bar.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check whether the chocolate in speculaas is Fairtrade?
Look on the exact pack for a claim that specifically applies to the cocoa or chocolate in that speculaas. A shop’s Fairtrade range isn’t enough. If the claim refers to mass balance, read the explanation too: certified and non-certified ingredients may be mixed during production.
Are Lotus Biscoff Original biscuits made with Fairtrade chocolate?
According to the ingredients listed by Lotus Bakeries Netherlands, Lotus Biscoff Original isn’t a chocolate biscuit. Lotus Bakeries’ statement about certified chocolate applies to Biscoff chocolate bars and shouldn’t be taken to apply to the plain biscuits.
What should I check on a pack of speculaas if I have an allergy?
Read the allergen information on the current packaging for the specific variety. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed foods; ingredients can vary between products.
Can I rely on the ingredients listed on an online product page?
If you have an allergy, use the current label as your point of reference before eating the product. Albert Heijn notes that online product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change.