For coffee, choose a speculoos biscuit in packaging that lets you check the Fairtrade claim. For cake, chocolate with speculoos could work, but it’s a different product from individual speculoos biscuits. For both, read the explanation of the Fairtrade mark: according to Fairtrade International, a mark on a composite product may apply to all ingredients available on Fairtrade terms, whereas an ingredient mark applies only to the ingredient named. Also check the label for ingredients and allergens.
You’re looking for a speculoos biscuit to have with your coffee and want to be able to see exactly what the Fairtrade claim covers on the packaging. Fairtrade International distinguishes between marks for composite products and those for individual ingredients.
You want to serve biscuits to a group. As well as checking the Fairtrade claim, check how many biscuits are in the pack and read the allergen information for the product you’re buying.
You’re looking for chocolate with speculoos for a recipe, not necessarily an individual biscuit. Chocolatemakers describes its Milky Speculoos as Fairtrade chocolate with speculoos biscuits; this alone doesn’t mean the biscuits are Fairtrade-certified separately.
First decide whether you want to serve biscuits or use chocolate in a recipe. Then check the exact Fairtrade claim and the label on the pack you’ve chosen.
Choose this if: you want to serve individual speculoos biscuits. Vermeiren Princeps describes the Fairtrade history of its speculoos.
Bear in mind: the brand’s history doesn’t confirm which claim appears on the packaging of a current variety.
Choose this if: you want to serve plenty of biscuits. Retailer Dropwinkel describes Mocca d'Or Speculaas Fairtrade as a pack of 150 biscuits.
Bear in mind: 150 biscuits may be more than you need for occasional use at home; check the claim on the packaging itself.
Choose this if: you want chocolate to use as an ingredient in a cake or dessert. Chocolatemakers describes Milky Speculoos as chocolate with speculoos biscuits.
Bear in mind: this isn’t a dry speculoos biscuit to serve on its own with coffee.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade claim | Read the mark and the explanation on the packaging: does the claim apply to the composite product or to a named ingredient? | I want to check the scope of the Fairtrade claim on the pack of biscuits I’m buying to have with coffee. Around 50% of consumers rank this check as their main purchasing concern. |
| Format and quantity | Check whether you’re buying individual biscuits or chocolate with speculoos, and how many pieces or what net weight is stated on the pack. | If you’re serving guests or using it in a cake, the product format needs to suit what you’re using it for. Around 30% of consumers rank this choice first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, the allergens listed and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If I’m serving biscuits to someone with an allergy, I want to know what’s on this particular pack. Ingredients and allergens are the main purchasing concern for around 20% of consumers. |
A claim for one ingredient doesn’t mean the same thing as a mark for a composite product. Fairtrade International describes different marks for these situations.
Check the pack to see which ingredient or ingredients the claim covers, then decide whether that matches what you want to buy.
Chocolatemakers describes Milky Speculoos as chocolate with speculoos biscuits. That’s a different product format from an individual speculoos biscuit to have with coffee.
First decide what you want to serve or use in your recipe; only then compare the claims on the relevant packaging.
Ingredients vary from product to product. For example, Jumbo lists wheat in its Bakkers Speculaas and warns that it may contain almonds and nuts; this isn’t an ingredients list for other brands.
Always check the label on the specific pack, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
Worth considering if you’re looking for traditional speculoos and want to check the Fairtrade claim on a current pack.
An option to look at if you’re buying speculoos for several coffee breaks.
A good option for a cake or dessert recipe using chocolate with speculoos, but not a substitute for individual speculoos biscuits to have with coffee.
No, you can’t tell that just from the word Fairtrade. According to Fairtrade International, a mark for a composite product may apply to all ingredients available on Fairtrade terms, whereas an ingredient mark identifies only the ingredient named. Read the explanation on the packaging.
Check the allergens on the current label of the specific pack of speculoos. Information for another brand or variety isn’t a substitute for checking the product you’re buying; also read any warnings about possible cross-contamination.
No. Use the title as a guide, then read the explanation of the Fairtrade mark and the ingredients information on the packaging. When your order arrives, also check the allergen information and best-before date.
The warning indicates that a named allergen may be present as a result of cross-contamination. Check which allergens are listed on the specific pack; the Fairtrade claim doesn’t tell you this.
