Gamers looking for a dark chocolate topping
You want a cocoa-based topping rather than the aniseed flavour of traditional sprinkles. The stated cocoa solids percentage can help you compare products, but it won’t tell you exactly how they’ll taste.
Who is this for?
Fans of traditional aniseed sprinkles
You’re looking for the small, sugar-coated aniseed seeds you can sprinkle on rusks or desserts, for example. A dark chocolate flavour isn’t essential for you.
Shoppers checking for allergens
You want to choose a topping or snack for yourself or someone with specific dietary requirements. In that case, the ingredients and any allergen warnings on the packaging of the product you choose are key.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for aniseed sprinkles, a chocolate topping or a snack to eat straight away. Then check the packaging details that matter for your choice.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Aniseed or cocoa | Check the product name and, if you’re comparing chocolate options, the stated cocoa solids content. | I want a chocolate topping while gaming, not an aniseed flavour; this distinction is the main priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Topping or snack | Decide whether you want sprinkles to add to something or a snack you can eat straight away. | I want something I can eat without preparing a topping first. Convenience is the first consideration for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any cross-contamination warning on the packaging you’re using. | I’m sharing the snack with someone who needs to avoid certain ingredients. Checking the label is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘aniseed sprinkles’ means dark chocolate
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, traditional De Ruijter sprinkles are sugar-coated aniseed seeds. If you’re expecting cocoa, you’ll end up choosing a different type of product from the one you need.
Before buying, decide whether you want aniseed sprinkles as a topping, dark chocolate sprinkles to scatter over food, or a chocolate snack to eat straight away.
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Going by the word ‘dark’ alone
On the packaging described by Albert Heijn, De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids, while Venz Hagelslag Puur contains at least 32%. The product names alone don’t tell you about this difference.
Only compare percentages for the specific products they’re stated on. Check the ingredients and how the product is intended to be used too; a percentage won’t predict how you’ll experience the flavour.
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Guessing allergens from the type of product
Aniseed sprinkles and dark chocolate sprinkles have different ingredients. The product information consulted lists wheat in traditional sprinkles, and milk or soya in the chocolate sprinkle varieties reviewed.
Before buying and serving, read the label on the exact product you’re using, including any cross-contamination warnings.
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Planning to eat sprinkles as an easy snack
Aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles are designed to be sprinkled over something. While gaming, you’ll need something to put them on or a bowl to serve them in, whereas a bar or other individual chocolate snack is made to be eaten differently.
Only choose the packaging once you’ve decided whether you want a topping for a dish or a snack you can eat straight away.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
The product information consulted covers both traditional aniseed sprinkles and dark chocolate sprinkles.
- For Specials Intens Puur, Albert Heijn states that it contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
- Traditional sprinkles aren’t chocolate. Check the label on chocolate sprinkles if milk or soya is a concern for you.
Venz
The Venz product reviewed is dark chocolate sprinkles in a 400 g pack.
- Albert Heijn states that this product contains at least 32% cocoa solids.
- That’s different from the minimum 52% stated for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur; check the ingredients on the pack you buy too.
Delicata
Delicata is relevant here for chocolate bars as individual snacks, not as a substitute for sprinkles.
- The range shown by Albert Heijn includes, among other products, a bar labelled as 85% cocoa.
- A bar doesn’t have the sprinkle format of aniseed sprinkles or chocolate sprinkles. Check the ingredients and allergens for each specific bar.
Mister CHOC
Lidl describes a 600 g pack of dark chocolate sprinkles from Mister CHOC.
- The pack size can help you work out in advance how many sprinkles you’ll need.
- Check the cocoa percentage, ingredients and allergens on the pack before comparing this product with other chocolate sprinkles.
Products for a topping or snack
These Joybuy products include chocolate sprinkles for anyone looking for a topping, plus one chocolate-covered date and almond snack to eat straight away. Traditional aniseed sprinkles aren’t included in this product selection.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure chocolate sprinkles, 200 g
A sprinkle topping for gamers who want to add something chocolatey to yoghurt or dessert.
200 g pack. Check the current label if milk, soya or lactose is a concern for you.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks, 390 g
Chocolate sprinkles for anyone looking to add a topping to yoghurt or baked goods, for example.
390 g pack. If an explicit dark or pure chocolate label matters to you, check the packaging. Read the allergen information too.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure, 390 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for gamers who want to add a topping to bread, yoghurt or dessert during a gaming session.
390 g pack. Compare the current label if the cocoa percentage or allergens are deciding factors for you.
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AE Chocodate Dark Chocolate, 90 g
A chocolate-covered date and almond snack for anyone who wants something to eat straight away instead of adding sprinkles to a topping.
90 g pack. Check the label for ingredients, allergens and the number of pieces if you’re planning to share the snack.
Frequently asked questions
Are traditional aniseed sprinkles a dark chocolate snack?
No. The traditional De Ruijter sprinkles described by Albert Heijn are sugar-coated aniseed seeds. If by ‘dark’ you mean a chocolate flavour, look for dark chocolate sprinkles as a topping or a dark chocolate snack to eat straight away.
What does the cocoa percentage in dark chocolate sprinkles tell me?
It tells you the proportion of cocoa solids in that specific product, not how you’ll experience its flavour. Albert Heijn states at least 52% for De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur and at least 32% for Venz Hagelslag Puur; compare these figures on the current packaging.
How can I check whether aniseed or chocolate sprinkles meet an allergen restriction?
Read the ingredients, allergen information and any cross-contamination warning on the packaging of the exact product. The product information consulted lists wheat in traditional De Ruijter sprinkles, and milk or soya in the dark chocolate sprinkle varieties reviewed. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products must appear on the label.
How should I store aniseed sprinkles and dark chocolate sprinkles after a gaming session?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you’ve bought. The Albert Heijn product information consulted says to store traditional sprinkles in a dry place, and the dark chocolate sprinkle varieties described in a cool, dry place.