Who does this choice matter to?

Hosts who want to check the certification

You only want to serve speculaas biscuits as Fairtrade if the statement applies to the pack you’ve chosen. A general sustainability message from the brand isn’t enough.

Hosts who want an easy-to-share pack

You’re looking for a pack that suits the number of people coming for coffee, and you want to be able to store any leftovers according to the storage instructions.

Hosts who need to consider allergens

You want to read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack before offering the biscuits to your guests.

What should you look for when choosing?

When choosing speculaas biscuits for coffee with friends, decide whether verifiable Fairtrade status is a must for you. For every pack you choose, also check what you’ll be serving and how to store any leftovers.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Fairtrade status Look for the FAIRTRADE mark or an explicit Fairtrade statement on the exact pack. If the statement refers to an ingredient, check which ingredient it applies to. I want to check whether these particular speculaas biscuits meet my Fairtrade requirement; this product-specific check is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Sharing and storage Compare the net weight or multipack with the number of guests, and read the storage instructions for after opening. When friends come over for coffee, I want to serve enough biscuits without having an awkward amount left over. Pack size for sharing is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of your chosen variety before serving. If I need to consider what my guests can eat, I want to check the current pack myself; this is the top priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking a brand claim for a Fairtrade mark on the biscuits

    Lotus Bakeries mentions Rainforest Alliance certification for the cocoa in certain chocolate products. That doesn’t mean a pack of Lotus Biscoff speculaas biscuits is Fairtrade-certified.

    Check the FAIRTRADE mark or explicit Fairtrade ingredient statement on the pack of the speculaas biscuits you’re actually buying.

  • Guessing allergens from the product name

    Ingredients vary between products and varieties. For Lotus Biscoff 250 g, Lotus Bakeries Netherlands lists ingredients including wheat flour and soya flour; you can’t assume the same information applies to other speculaas biscuits.

    Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack, and ask your guests in advance about any relevant dietary restrictions.

  • Choosing a large pack without thinking about leftovers

    You may not need the whole pack for coffee with friends. For Echte Bakkers Speculaas 450 g, Jumbo advises storing the product in a sealed container after opening.

    Choose a pack size that suits your group, and follow the storage instructions on the pack for any leftovers.

Brands and ranges to help you choose

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Bakeries Netherlands presents Biscoff as a biscuit to enjoy with coffee and lists packs including 250 g, 3 × 125 g and multipacks.

  • The manufacturer lists ingredients and allergens for each variety; if you’re buying for a group, choose a pack size that suits the number of guests.
  • Sustainability certifications mentioned by Lotus Bakeries for certain other products do not prove that your chosen Biscoff speculaas biscuits are Fairtrade.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn’s speculaas range includes AH Amandelspeculaas, AH Bakkers speculaas and AH Roomboter speculaas molens.

  • The different product types give you a starting point for comparing pack sizes and ingredients.
  • Being listed in the speculaas category does not, by itself, mean that a particular variety is Fairtrade.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists products including Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas 600 g and Echte Bakkers Speculaas 450 g.

  • For Echte Bakkers Speculaas, Jumbo gives specific storage advice: keep the pack sealed after opening.
  • Jumbo’s separate Fairtrade category tells you nothing about the certification of these speculaas products; check the pack you’ve chosen.

Lidl

Lidl Netherlands has product pages for Bakkers speculaas and Roomboter speculaasmolens.

  • You can assess each product type separately using the information on its current pack.
  • Don’t infer Fairtrade status from the product name or the shop; you need a statement that applies to the specific speculaas biscuits.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does a brand’s sustainability claim mean its speculaas biscuits are Fairtrade?

No. A general brand claim doesn’t confirm the Fairtrade status of the speculaas biscuits you’ve chosen. Fairtrade International distinguishes between marks for products and statements for individual ingredients, so check the mark on the exact pack and see what it applies to.

Which allergen information should I check before serving speculaas biscuits?

Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack of the speculaas biscuits you’re serving. For Lotus Biscoff 250 g, Lotus Bakeries Netherlands lists ingredients including wheat flour and soya flour, but don’t assume other products have the same ingredients.

How should I store speculaas biscuits left over after coffee?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. Jumbo says to keep Echte Bakkers Speculaas 450 g sealed after opening; check the relevant instructions for other speculaas biscuits.