Looking for a chocolate gift
Do you want chocolate to be the main part of the gift? Look for a chocolate gift and check the contents and packaging before you choose.
Which option is right for you?
Hosting a biscuit break
Kano cakes can be a good choice to share with coffee or tea, as long as you’re specifically looking for biscuits with almond paste rather than chocolates.
Checking for allergens
If you’re buying for someone with a food allergy or intolerance, check the current label. Albert Heijn warns that online ingredient and allergen information can change.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether the recipient is expecting chocolate or biscuits. Then compare the packaging and contents of specific products, and check the label.
Chocolate gift
Choose this if: chocolate should be the main part of the gift; Albert Heijn and Jumbo both have a separate category for chocolate gifts.
Bear in mind: the category alone tells you nothing about the presentation or quality of an individual product.
Kano cakes
Choose these if: you specifically want to serve biscuits with coffee or tea.
Bear in mind: kano cakes won’t meet the expectation of a box of chocolates; also follow the storage instructions on the packaging you choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Type of product | Read the product description: is it chocolate or biscuits? Jumbo describes its kano cakes as butter biscuits with 38% almond paste. | If I want to give chocolate as a gift, I don’t want to accidentally buy biscuits. Around 50% of consumers prioritise choosing the right type of product. |
| Presentation and sharing | Check the packaging, net weight and number of pieces of the specific product. | For a gift or a biscuit break with others, I want the quantity and presentation to suit the occasion. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Label and storage | Check the ingredients, allergens, best-before date and any storage instructions on the current packaging. | If the recipient has an allergy or will eat the gift later, I want to know what the label says. Checking the label is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Buying kano cakes when the recipient is expecting chocolate
Jumbo describes its kano cakes as biscuits with almond paste, while Albert Heijn and Jumbo list chocolate gifts separately. So the gift may contain something different from what you intended.
Start by deciding what type of product you want: choose a chocolate gift if you want to give chocolate, and kano cakes for a biscuit break you’ve specifically chosen them for.
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Relying on out-of-date allergen information online
Albert Heijn says that ingredient and allergen information can change. This matters if the recipient has a food allergy.
Read the current label before eating the product, and check for any allergen warnings too.
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Comparing nutritional values for different portion sizes
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, portion sizes can vary between manufacturers. This means you may not be comparing the same quantity.
For similar products, use the nutritional information per 100 g and check the net weight as well.
Brands and ranges to explore
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells AH Roomboter kano cakes and also has a separate category for chocolate gifts.
- You can easily distinguish between biscuits and chocolate gifts in its range.
- Albert Heijn points out that ingredient, nutritional and allergen information online can change; check the packaging before eating the product.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells Kano's met Roomboter and has a separate category for chocolate gifts.
- Jumbo specifically describes its kano cakes as butter biscuits with 38% almond paste.
- These kano cakes aren’t a box of chocolates; the chocolate gift category alone tells you nothing about the quality of an individual gift.
Aviateur
Jumbo sells Aviateur Gevulde Kano's in a pack of 7, weighing 325 g.
- The number of pieces listed can help you decide whether this pack is suitable for sharing.
- Check the current ingredients, allergens and best-before date on the packaging you choose, especially if you have specific dietary requirements.
Chocolate gifts on Joybuy
These products are worth considering if you’re choosing chocolate as a gift. Check whether each product’s contents and actual packaging suit the occasion.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate collection to consider if you’re looking to give chocolate as a gift. The listed net weight is 125 g; before buying, check what the packaging looks like and read the current label for allergen and best-before information.
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Milka Thank You Pralines Milk Cream, 110 g
Milk cream pralines to consider when you’re looking for a chocolate gift. The listed net weight is 110 g; check the packaging and read the current label for allergen and best-before information.
Frequently asked questions
Are kano cakes the same as a box of chocolates?
No. Jumbo describes its kano cakes as butter biscuits with almond paste, while Albert Heijn and Jumbo also have a separate category for chocolate gifts. Choose based on what the recipient is actually expecting.
What should I check on the label of an edible gift?
Read the ingredients, allergens, best-before date and any storage instructions on the packaging you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains what information should appear on the labels of pre-packed foods. If someone has a food allergy, don’t rely solely on older product information online.
How should I store kano cakes if I buy them in advance?
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the specific packaging. Jumbo says to store its Kano's met Roomboter in a cool, dry, dark place.
How do I compare the nutritional value of two edible gifts?
For similar products, compare the nutritional information per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, portion sizes can vary between manufacturers, which makes figures per portion harder to compare.