Who is this choice relevant to?

Host who checks the certification

Wants to serve a sweet biscuit with coffee or tea after drinks, and to be able to see on the packaging what the Fairtrade statement applies to.

Organiser of coffee breaks

Is looking for speculaas to serve to a group and wants to know whether the number of biscuits and the pack size are right for the occasion.

Buyer who checks ingredients

Wants to read the ingredients, allergens and any cross-contamination warnings for the exact variant before serving it.

What should you look for when choosing?

If the Fairtrade statement is a deciding factor for you, start by checking what it means. Then choose a suitable quantity and check the ingredients on the same pack.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
What Fairtrade means Check the certification mark on the exact pack and see whether the statement applies to the product or to an ingredient. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may apply only to a certified ingredient. If I want to serve speculaas specifically because it is Fairtrade, I want to know what the statement on this pack means. For around 50% of consumers, being able to check this would be the main concern.
Quantity and serving style Compare the number of biscuits, the total weight and the shelf life. FairTrade Webshop describes Maya BIO Speculoos as a 175 g pack; Kantinewinkel sells Mocca D'Or speculaas in packs of 150. When serving coffee to a larger group, I want to put out enough biscuits without choosing a pack that isn’t right for the occasion. For around 30% of consumers, the serving style would be the main consideration.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list, the allergens stated and any cross-contamination warnings. If you want to compare products, check the nutritional information per 100 g or per portion on the pack you’ve chosen. If I’m buying for guests with specific dietary requirements, I need to be able to check what’s in the biscuits they’ll be eating. Checking ingredients would be the first concern for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a sustainability statement means the whole biscuit is Fairtrade

    According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may refer only to a certified ingredient. A separate claim about cocoa does not automatically say anything about the certification of speculaas without chocolate either.

    Check the packaging for the exact variant to see which certification mark is used and what product or ingredient the statement applies to.

  • Choosing a bulk pack without considering the occasion

    A pack of 150 biscuits may suit regular coffee or tea service, but the pack size alone says nothing about Fairtrade status or ingredients. It may be impractical for a small gathering.

    Compare the number of biscuits, the weight, the shelf life and the serving style before choosing a pack.

  • Judging whether a product suits a diet by its name

    FairTrade Webshop’s product information lists ingredients including wheat flour, soya flour and honey for Maya BIO Speculoos. This doesn’t tell you which ingredients are in other variants.

    Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack just before serving, especially if you’re buying for guests with specific dietary requirements.

  • Using average nutritional values for a specific brand

    Voedingscentrum provides nutritional values for a 7 g speculaas biscuit, but the portion size and ingredients of the product you choose may differ.

    For an accurate comparison, use the nutritional information on the exact pack and compare the same quantity, such as per 100 g.

Brands to consider

Oxfam Fair Trade / Maya

Maya BIO Speculoos is worth considering if you’re looking for a clear Fairtrade product statement and a smaller pack.

  • FairTrade Webshop describes its 175 g pack of Maya BIO Speculoos as Fairtrade and mentions cane sugar, honey and cinnamon in connection with fair trade.
  • The stated ingredients for this variant include wheat flour, soya flour, honey and palm oil. Check the ingredients on the pack you buy.

Mocca D'Or

Kantinewinkel sells Mocca D'Or speculaas in packs of 150 for serving with coffee or tea.

  • The stated number of biscuits gives you a practical starting point for planning larger coffee gatherings.
  • The seller refers to fair trade principles. Check the certification mark and what it applies to on the packaging before presenting the biscuits as Fairtrade-certified.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff is worth considering if you’re looking at standard speculoos and Fairtrade certification isn’t essential; Albert Heijn stocks several Lotus Biscoff variants.

  • The variants shown give buyers the chance to compare pack formats and ingredients for each product.
  • Lotus Bakeries states that cocoa ingredients in specific chocolate products are Rainforest Alliance-certified. This does not substantiate a Fairtrade certification claim for standard Biscoff speculoos.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Fairtrade logo mean that all the ingredients are certified?

No, the logo doesn’t automatically mean that. According to Milieu Centraal, a Fairtrade logo on a white background may mean that only one ingredient is Fairtrade-certified. Check the explanation on the packaging of the speculaas variant you’ve chosen.

What should I check about allergens in speculaas?

Check the allergen information and ingredients list on the pack you’re going to serve. For example, the product information for Maya BIO Speculoos lists wheat and soya, but the ingredients in other variants may differ.

Is certified cocoa the same as Fairtrade speculaas?

No, a claim about cocoa doesn’t prove that the entire speculaas product is Fairtrade-certified. Lotus Bakeries states that cocoa ingredients in specific chocolate products are Rainforest Alliance-certified; check the statements on the speculaas variant you’re considering separately.

Which pack is right for coffee or tea after drinks?

For a small gathering, you could consider a smaller pack; for regularly serving lots of guests, a pack with more biscuits may be a better fit. Compare the number of biscuits, the weight and the shelf life, and check the Fairtrade statement and ingredients separately.