If you have limited table space
If the jar needs to fit among other bowls and decorations, you can serve just some of the crushed aniseed sprinkles at a time. A smaller jar will need refilling, so keep the packaging or a second jar to hand.
Which set-up works best for you?
If you want one jar for the party and afterwards
A glass storage jar lets you see what’s inside and can be used for dry goods after the party, too. Check that the jar is intended for food storage and that its closure is suitable for what you want to keep in it.
If you expect questions about ingredients
If any guests have an allergy or dietary requirement, you’ll need to have the information for the current product available. Keep the packaging when serving the crushed aniseed sprinkles in another jar. The Voedingscentrum highlights the importance of label information for food allergies.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how much of the crushed aniseed sprinkles you want to put on the birthday table at once. Then consider whether the jar will also need to hold the remaining supply and how you’ll keep the product information with the food.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Serving in a compact space | Compare the jar’s external dimensions with the space available on the table, and check that the opening is wide enough for your serving spoon. | If I only want to put some out on the table, the jar needs to fit among the other bowls; compact serving is a priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Storing the rest | Check that the jar is intended for food storage and what type of closure the manufacturer specifies for that particular version. | If there’s some left after the party, I want to be able to seal it in the same jar. That’s the main need for around 29% of consumers. |
| Refilling less often | Compare the jar’s capacity with your serving plans, but check the fit using the actual packaging rather than treating grams as millilitres. | For a larger gathering, I don’t want to keep topping up the jar, although a larger jar takes up more table space; around 21% of consumers prioritise refilling less often. |
| Keeping product information with the jar | Keep the current packaging to hand for ingredient and allergen information, and use clean serving utensils. | If guests ask about ingredients or allergens, I want to be able to check the label. For around 14% of consumers, this information is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming the weight in grams on the packaging equals the capacity in millilitres
The weight of a pack doesn’t tell you exactly how much space the crushed aniseed sprinkles will take up. What’s more, Albert Heijn and Jumbo list different pack weights for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes: 330 g and 270 g respectively.
Check whether everything will fit using the packaging you’re actually using. If you don’t want to decant it all, keep the packaging to hand or use two smaller jars.
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Using a decorative glass jar for food without checking first
A jar’s appearance doesn’t tell you what the manufacturer intended it for. Closures and cleaning instructions also vary from jar to jar.
If you’re filling it directly, choose a jar that’s sold for storing food. Check separately how to clean the glass, lid and any seal.
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Throwing away the packaging after decanting
Guests may ask about ingredients or allergens. Albert Heijn points out that product information can change, and the Voedingscentrum says labels are important for food allergies.
Keep the current packaging with your serving set-up and check it before passing on information about the contents to guests.
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Putting a damaged glass jar on the table anyway
Glass fragments in food can cause injury, warns the Voedingscentrum.
Check the rim, base and lid before filling the jar. Don’t use a jar with a crack or chip to serve food.
Relevant brands and retailers
De Ruijter is relevant here for what goes in the jar; the other brands listed offer examples of glass storage jars. Always compare the specific version and packaging you’re actually choosing.
De Ruijter
A brand of crushed aniseed sprinkles listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
- The retailer pages show 330 g packs at Albert Heijn and 270 g packs at Jumbo.
- Use the weight on your own packaging to plan how you’ll serve it; this won’t tell you the exact jar capacity you need.
IKEA
Retailer of glass KORKEN storage jars with lids.
- IKEA offers, among other options, a 1-litre KORKEN jar and a 2-litre version.
- Don’t choose a size based on litres alone: consider how much you want to put on the table and whether your packaging will fit.
HEMA
Retailer of glass storage jars, including a 1600 ml version.
- The 1600 ml capacity is an option if you’re looking for a larger jar for the table or for storing what’s left afterwards.
- Check the closure on the specific version if you want to store the contents in the jar after the party.
SILVERCREST
Lidl brand with a transparent 1-litre storage jar.
- Lidl describes this version as having a clip-top closure for dry foods.
- Check the dimensions and closure of the jar you choose before using it as part of your table set-up.
Glass jars for serving and storage
These Joybuy jars offer compact set-ups with one or two 700 ml jars, as well as a larger 1.7-litre storage jar. Choose based on the space available on the table, how often you want to refill the jar and what you want to store after the party; check the fit using your own packaging.
No image available
Glass storage jar with sunflower design, 700 ml
An option if you only want to put some of the crushed aniseed sprinkles out at a time on a compact birthday table.
The product name specifies clear glass and an airtight lid. Check that the opening is wide enough for your serving spoon, and test how much will fit using your own packaging.
No image available
PURECOOK glass storage jars, 2 × 700 ml
With two jars, you can put some out on the table and keep the second one to hand.
The product name specifies clear glass and clip-top closures with silicone rings. Before cleaning, check the instructions for both the glass and the closure components; the product information on dishwasher use is unclear. Also check that the opening is suitable for your spoon.
No image available
5five glass storage jar, 1.7 litres, with stainless steel lid
A larger jar to consider if you want to refill it less often and use it for storage afterwards.
The product name specifies transparent glass. Check that the jar will fit on your table, that the opening works with your serving spoon and how much of the crushed aniseed sprinkles from your packaging will fit inside. Refer to the cleaning instructions for the lid and closure.
Frequently asked questions
What size jar do I need for a pack of crushed aniseed sprinkles?
There’s no standard jar size you can work out from the pack weight. First decide how much you want to serve at once, then check whether that amount will fit using your own packaging. Albert Heijn and Jumbo even list different weights for De Ruijter Gestampte Muisjes.
Do I need an airtight jar for the birthday table?
For serving, what matters most is that the jar is easy to open and close. If you want to store what’s left in the same jar, check the type of closure the manufacturer specifies for that particular version. Don’t assume a lid is airtight just because of how it looks.
Can I throw away the packaging once the crushed aniseed sprinkles are in the jar?
Keep the current packaging while serving so you can answer questions about ingredients and allergens using the label. Albert Heijn points out that product information can change, and the Voedingscentrum highlights the importance of label information for food allergies.
What should I check before filling the glass jar?
Use a clean, undamaged jar and clean serving utensils. The Voedingscentrum recommends washing your hands and using clean kitchen utensils when handling food safely, and warns about the risks of sharp glass fragments in food.