If taaitaai is what you fancy in the evening, choose based on taste and check the current label for ingredients and allergens: the product pages for Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS do not list cocoa in their standard taaitaai. If Fairtrade cocoa is essential, look for a snack that carries an explicit Fairtrade indication and, for a product made with several ingredients, check which ingredient it applies to. A chocolate snack is not a substitute for the taste and composition of taaitaai, so assess the nutritional information separately too.
You want to know whether the cocoa in a snack has been sourced on Fairtrade terms. If a product contains several ingredients, check exactly what the label refers to; Fairtrade International points out that a label with an arrow directs you to further information on the packaging.
You’re after the aniseed flavour and texture of taaitaai, not necessarily chocolate. The ingredient lists for the taaitaai products checked at Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS do not mention cocoa; check the ingredients of the specific pack before choosing.
You compare biscuits and chocolate for ingredients that matter to you. Check for warnings about the possible presence of allergens too, as these vary from product to product.
For an evening snack, it helps to decide first whether you want taaitaai or whether Fairtrade cocoa matters enough to choose a different kind of snack.
Choose this: if you specifically want an aniseed biscuit and Fairtrade cocoa isn’t a requirement.
What to consider: the ingredient lists for the taaitaai products checked at Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS do not mention cocoa; a general cocoa claim by a retailer does not make these biscuits Fairtrade cocoa products.
Choose this: if the Fairtrade cocoa label matters more to you than having taaitaai. For example, PLUS lists chocolate-covered kruidnoten with a Fairtrade Cacao label.
What to consider: chocolate-covered kruidnoten are not taaitaai. And a cocoa label doesn’t automatically tell you anything about the other ingredients or nutritional value.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for a Fairtrade label on the specific product. If the label refers to an ingredient or includes an arrow, read the explanation on the packaging. | If the origin of cocoa is decisive for me, I want to know exactly what the certification applies to. For around 40% of consumers, this question of origin comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and any allergen warnings for the specific product. | When choosing between biscuits and chocolate, I want to know in advance which ingredients matter to me. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this check. |
| Portion and nutritional value | Compare the nutritional information per 100 g with the amount you plan to eat. | I want to assess my portion rather than relying only on a label on the front. Portion size and nutritional value are the main considerations for around 20% of consumers. |
| Availability | Check the current range at the shop where you want to order or buy. | I’m looking for a snack I can get at my shop, even when taaitaai isn’t on the shelf. Availability is the most important factor for around 10% of consumers. |
A supermarket’s statement about the cocoa in its range doesn’t mean that individual taaitaai products are Fairtrade-certified. The ingredient lists for the standard taaitaai products checked at Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS do not mention cocoa.
Check the packaging of the product you choose for a Fairtrade label, and see which ingredients it applies to.
A Fairtrade cocoa label relates to the sourcing terms for cocoa, not the amount of sugar or energy in a snack. The PLUS chocolate-covered kruidnoten labelled Fairtrade Cacao have their own nutrition table, which you can assess separately.
As well as checking the label, read the nutritional information per 100 g and consider the portion you plan to eat.
Taaitaai and chocolate snacks can contain different allergens. The product information for the taaitaai products checked at Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists, among other things, wheat, rye and milk or milk protein; chocolate products need to be checked separately.
Each time you buy, read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variant you’ve chosen.
Albert Heijn lists a standard 500 g pack of AH Taai taai. The ingredient list shown does not mention cocoa.
Jumbo lists a 500 g pack of Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes; the ingredient list does not mention cocoa.
PLUS lists both plain taaitaai and separate snacks labelled Fairtrade Cacao, including chocolate-covered kruidnoten.
ALDI lists 500 g taai-taai in its Sinterklaas range.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai, 500 g, as a taaitaai option.
This chocolate bar is an alternative if you’d rather have chocolate than taaitaai. If Fairtrade cocoa is what guides your choice, check the current packaging to see which Fairtrade label applies to the bar and which ingredients it covers.
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For anyone who’d prefer a chocolate bar rather than taaitaai for an evening snack. Check the label if a specific Fairtrade label or ingredient is important to your choice.
180 g bar with pecan and caramel; check the current packaging for the full ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Look for an explicit Fairtrade label on the product and check which ingredients it covers. Fairtrade International explains that a label for a specifically sourced ingredient, such as cocoa, does not automatically apply to every ingredient in the snack.
No. The ingredient lists for the standard taaitaai products checked at these three shops do not mention cocoa. If you’re specifically looking for Fairtrade cocoa, choose a product that carries the relevant label itself.
Yes, check the allergen information for the variant you’ve chosen for both types of snack. The taaitaai products checked list wheat, rye and milk or milk protein, among other ingredients; chocolate snacks may contain different ingredients and have different warnings about possible traces.
Compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g, then consider how much you plan to eat. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the back of the packaging too; a Fairtrade label is no substitute for this check.
