Which biscuit is best for you?

Students looking for something to share

If you’re having coffee or tea, or welcoming visitors while you get settled in, a filled kano biscuit is ready to serve. Albert Heijn lists six 45 g portions in its 270 g pack.

Students who want biscuits to enjoy on several occasions

A pack of digestives can be kept in the shared cupboard. Jumbo lists around 27 portions in its 400 g pack and recommends sealing the pack well after opening.

Shoppers who need to check the ingredients

If you’re sharing biscuits, it’s important to read the pack for the variety you choose. The allergen information differs between the kano biscuits and digestives reviewed here.

What should you consider when choosing?

First, decide whether the pack is for one occasion or for dipping into over several days. Then check that the portions, storage instructions and ingredients are suitable for everyone who’ll be eating them.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Sharing and portions Check the number of biscuits and the weight per portion. Albert Heijn lists a 45 g portion for its butter kano biscuits; Jumbo lists around 27 portions in its 400 g pack of digestives. If I’m having coffee with my housemates while we get settled in, I want to know there’s a suitable biscuit for everyone. Around 40% of consumers prioritise sharing.
Stocking up and storage Check the pack weight and storage instructions. Jumbo recommends sealing its opened pack of digestives well and storing it in a dark place. If I want to spread a pack of biscuits over several tea or coffee breaks, storage matters more to me than serving them straight away; around 30% of consumers prioritise having a supply in the cupboard.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the variety you choose. The kano biscuits reviewed here list ingredients including almond, egg, milk, soya and wheat; the digestives reviewed here contain wheat. When other people are eating too, I want to check in advance which ingredients may be relevant to them. Around 30% of consumers prioritise checking the label.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the name ‘digestive’ tells you about the nutritional content

    The name doesn’t tell you how much fibre or sugar a particular biscuit contains, or which allergens it includes.

    Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the ingredients list on the pack you’re thinking of buying.

  • Serving kano biscuits without checking the allergens

    The varieties reviewed from Albert Heijn and Jumbo list ingredients including almond, egg, milk, soya and wheat. This matters if your housemates or visitors will be eating them too.

    Ask about allergies in advance and check the allergen information on the exact pack you’ve chosen.

  • Leaving an opened pack of biscuits unsealed

    If you want to enjoy a pack over several occasions, check the storage instructions. Jumbo recommends sealing its pack of digestives well after opening and storing it in a dark place.

    Follow the instructions on the pack and seal it again after use.

Brands and own-label options to consider

Albert Heijn

This own-label range includes both butter kano biscuits and a listing for digestives.

  • Albert Heijn lists its butter kano biscuits in a 270 g pack, with 41% almond paste and 45 g portions.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the pack itself, as product information can change.

Jumbo

This own-label range includes examples of both kano biscuits and digestives reviewed here.

  • Jumbo lists its kano biscuits as 275 g with 38% almond paste, compared with a 400 g pack of its crunchy digestive biscuits.
  • The allergen information varies: the kano biscuits list ingredients including almond, egg, milk, soya and wheat; the digestive is a wheat biscuit.

Verkade

Digestive Original is a wheat biscuit to consider if you want to compare branded options.

  • Product information from Albert Heijn lists 16% wholemeal wheat flour.
  • This variety contains wheat and may contain milk. The relevant product listing at Albert Heijn was marked as discontinued; check availability with the retailer you’re buying from.

McVitie's

A brand to consider if you’re comparing digestive biscuits in particular.

  • McVitie's states on its Dutch brand website that it has been available in the Netherlands since late 2018.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional information and packaging for the specific variety you’re considering.

Lidl

Lidl’s listing for plain Digestives is worth considering if you’re looking for a 400 g pack.

  • Lidl Netherlands lists plain Digestives in a 400 g pack.
  • Check the product label in store for the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.

Digestives on Joybuy

This product selection is suited to keeping digestives for several tea or coffee breaks. If you’re sharing biscuits, compare the portions and check the allergens on the pack for everyone who’ll be eating them.

McVities Digestive Original 400 g pack

McVities Digestive Original 400 g

A digestive biscuit for anyone who wants to keep biscuits for several tea or coffee breaks.

The pack contains 400 g. Check the number of biscuits, allergens and storage instructions on the label if they’re important to your choice.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are kano biscuits and digestives the same kind of biscuit?

No. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo kano biscuits reviewed here are butter biscuits with almond paste; the digestives reviewed here are wheat biscuits. So choose between a filled biscuit to serve and individual biscuits to enjoy on several occasions.

What does the name ‘digestive’ tell you about the nutritional content?

The name alone doesn’t tell you the nutritional content of a particular biscuit. If it matters to your choice, compare the fibre and sugar per 100 g on the current label, for example.

How should I store biscuits after moving in?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. Jumbo recommends storing its kano biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place, and sealing its digestives well after opening and storing them in a dark place.

Can I use biscuits after the best-before date?

According to the Voedingscentrum, a product may sometimes still be used after its best-before date if the packaging is undamaged and the product looks, smells and tastes fine. Also follow the storage conditions on the packaging.

Do I need to check allergens again if I buy the same brand?

Yes. Check the current packaging for the variety you’ve chosen. Ingredients and allergen information can change, and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of checking the allergen information on the label.