If you want to give each guest a biscuit
If you want to set out one filled treat per person, checking the number of biscuits or portions in each pack will help you plan. Albert Heijn lists AH Roomboter kano's as having six portions.
Who might find the choice makes a difference?
If you're putting together a snack table for several guests
You'll want to know how many individual biscuits you can put out. So compare the number of biscuits or stated portions, not just the pack weight.
If you need to take allergens into account
If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, check the label of every product you choose. You can't work out the ingredients and allergens in a kano cake from those in a digestive.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to hand out filled cakes or put biscuits out on the table. Then count how many you'll need and check the labels before serving.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it's important for |
|---|---|---|
| Type of treat | Check whether it's a filled kano cake or a digestive biscuit, and count the biscuits or stated portions. | I want to give each guest an individual filled cake rather than put loose biscuits out on the table; this is the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the current pack. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I want the chosen pack to be checked before I serve the cakes. This check is the top priority for around 50% of consumers. |
| Quantity | Compare the number of biscuits or portions with your guest list; the weight alone won't tell you how many cakes are in the pack. | For a snack table, I want to know whether there are enough individual cakes for the guests and possibly a second helping; around 20% of consumers put quantity first. |
Common mistakes
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Treating a kano cake like a digestive
A filled kano cake and a digestive biscuit are different types of baked treat. Albert Heijn describes AH Roomboter kano's as containing almond paste, while Verkade Digestive Original is described as a wheat biscuit; the stated portions differ too.
Choose the type of treat you want first, then compare the quantity in each pack.
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Relying on an old product listing
A product page doesn't always tell you whether that exact variant is still available. For example, the page for AH BASIC Kano's states that this product has been discontinued.
Check which variant is on offer before you buy, and read the information on the pack you actually purchase.
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Guessing allergens from the name of the biscuit
Ingredients vary from one product to another. Albert Heijn lists almonds, egg, milk, soya and cereals containing gluten among the ingredients in AH Roomboter kano's; Verkade Digestive Original contains wheat and may contain milk.
Also read any warnings about possible traces on the current label, and keep the packaging available for guests who want to check it themselves.
Brands and product ranges compared
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists AH Roomboter kano's in a 270 g pack with six portions and 41% almond paste.
- The number of portions and the ingredients help you plan and check this particular type of kano cake.
- Don't confuse them with AH BASIC Kano's: the product page says that variant has been discontinued. Check which variant you're buying.
Verkade
Albert Heijn describes Verkade Digestive Original as wheat biscuits in a 400 g pack with 27 one-biscuit portions.
- The stated number of portions gives you a useful guide when filling a snack table.
- These aren't kano cakes filled with almond paste. The product contains wheat and may contain milk, so check the current label.
Biscotto
ALDI Nederland lists 300 g Biscotto Digestive biscuits in its biscuit range.
- A familiar option if you're specifically looking for digestives.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you buy.
Aviateur
Vomar Voordeelmarkt lists Aviateur Kano's in a 230 g pack.
- Another product to consider if you're comparing kano cakes.
- Before choosing them for your guests, check the number of cakes, ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Digestives on Joybuy for the snack table
These products fit the digestive side of the choice: one plain option and two chocolate varieties. They aren't filled kano cakes. When planning your snack table, check how many biscuits are in each pack, and check the current allergen information before serving.
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McVities Digestive Original, 400 g
A plain digestive for anyone who wants to put individual biscuits out on the snack table.
If you're planning one per guest, check the number of biscuits on the pack. Before serving, read the current label for allergen information and possible traces of other ingredients.
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McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate, 266 g
A milk chocolate digestive if you'd like to offer a chocolate option alongside plain biscuits.
Check how many biscuits are in the pack before working out how many you'll need. If any guests have dietary requirements, read the current label.
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McVitie's Digestives with Dark Chocolate, 266 g
A dark chocolate digestive for anyone who wants to offer this variety alongside plain biscuits.
Before the party, check the number of biscuits on the pack. Check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Are kano cakes and digestives the same type of biscuit?
No. Albert Heijn describes AH Roomboter kano's as cakes containing almond paste, and Verkade Digestive Original as wheat biscuits. So choose according to the type of treat you want to serve; the names aren't interchangeable.
How do I work out how many biscuits I need?
Count your guests and decide how many individual biscuits you want to hand out or put out on the table. Albert Heijn lists six 45 g portions for AH Roomboter kano's and 27 one-biscuit portions for Verkade Digestive Original; for other products, check the number of biscuits on the packaging.
What should I look out for if a guest has a food allergy?
Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the packaging you're serving. The information for a kano cake doesn't automatically apply to a digestive or another variant from the same brand. Keep the pack handy so guests can check it for themselves.
How should I store kano cakes and digestives before the party?
Follow the storage instructions and use-by date on the pack you choose. Albert Heijn says to store AH Roomboter kano's and Verkade Digestive Original in a cool, dry place; for the kano cakes, the product information also recommends storing them in a sealed tin after opening.