Fans of dark chocolate flavour
If the cocoa flavour matters more to you than the shape of a kano pastry, you could also consider a separate bar of dark chocolate. Albert Heijn lists these bars in a different product category from kano pastries.
Who might prefer each option?
Fans of traditional kano pastries
If you’re after buttery pastry with almond paste, the kano pastries described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS fit the bill. A separate chocolate bar won’t give you the same filling or pastry texture.
Shoppers who read labels carefully
If ingredients, allergens or nutritional values are key to your decision, check the packaging of the exact variant. Also make sure you’re comparing nutritional values per 100 g with those per serving on a like-for-like basis.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you want a kano pastry with almond paste or are mainly looking for a dark chocolate flavour. Then use the label to compare products within your chosen category.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Intense cocoa flavour | Check whether the product is a kano pastry or a separate chocolate product. For chocolate, read the product name and cocoa percentage. | For my weekend breakfast, I’m mainly looking for an intense cocoa flavour, so I’ll choose a bar rather than a kano pastry if needed; around 45% of consumers prioritise this flavour. |
| Classic kano pastry | Check the description of the almond paste filling and look at the ingredients if butter is important to your choice. | Almond paste is an essential part of a kano pastry for me, even if that means I don’t choose dark chocolate. Around 33% of consumers prefer this classic pastry. |
| Label and allergens | Read the allergen information on the packaging and compare sugars, saturated fat and serving sizes on the same basis. | If I need to check ingredients or allergens, a clear label comes before my preference for pastry or chocolate; this is the first consideration for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a bar of dark chocolate for a dark kano pastry
The kano pastries described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS are buttery pastries filled with almond paste. A bar of dark chocolate is a different type of product, even if its cocoa flavour better matches your preference.
Check the full product name, description and ingredients before deciding whether you want a kano pastry or chocolate.
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Comparing nutritional values for different serving sizes directly
A value per item isn’t the same as a value per 100 g. The kano pastries described by Albert Heijn and PLUS also differ in their stated amounts of sugars and saturated fat.
Compare the exact variants using the same unit, then look separately at the serving size you plan to have.
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Relying only on allergen information online
You should check for the allergens that matter to you on the product you actually buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that allergens must be clearly shown on the label of pre-packed foods.
Before eating, check the allergen information on the packaging of the variant you’ve bought.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn
According to Albert Heijn, the AH buttery kano pastry described comes in a 270 g pack with six 45 g servings and a 40% almond paste filling.
- The product listing includes ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
- Albert Heijn marks this listing as ‘Discontinued’; don’t treat it as a current purchase option.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes its 275 g buttery kano pastries as butter pastries with 38% almond paste.
- The product description gives a specific filling percentage and storage advice.
- This is a classic kano pastry, not a dark chocolate variant.
PLUS
PLUS describes its 275 g buttery kano pastries as having a 39% almond paste filling and an almond topping.
- You can compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for this variant.
- The product description doesn’t identify it as a dark chocolate version.
Aviateur
PLUS lists its 230 g Aviateur kano pastries as having a 46% almond paste filling.
- The product listing includes information about ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
- It’s a kano pastry with almond paste, not a chocolate variant described as dark.
Dark chocolate options at Joybuy
These products suit you if you’re looking for a separate dark chocolate product for your weekend breakfast. The three Lindt products are chocolate bars; De Ruijter is chocolate sprinkles. None of them is a kano pastry filled with almond paste.
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Lindt Excellence 90% Cocoa Supreme Dark, 100 g
A chocolate bar for anyone who values cocoa flavour more than almond paste filling. This variant contains 90% cocoa and weighs 100 g.
Check the packaging for allergens, including any mention of nuts, milk and soya.
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Lindt Excellence 78% Cacao, 100 g
A separate chocolate bar for anyone who isn’t set on the kano shape. The packaging states 78% cocoa and 100 g.
When comparing nutritional values, check whether they’re given per 100 g or per serving. Also check the allergen information, particularly for milk, nuts and soya.
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Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate, 100 g
A chocolate bar for anyone who’d rather have dark chocolate than a filled pastry. This variant contains 70% cocoa and weighs 100 g.
Only compare nutritional values once you’ve checked the unit on the label. Also read the allergen information for ingredients such as milk, nuts, soya and sesame.
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De Ruijter Pure Chocolate Sprinkles, 390 g
Chocolate sprinkles for anyone who’d rather have chocolate-flavoured bread, yoghurt or cereal for breakfast than a kano pastry. The pack contains 390 g.
If a particular cocoa percentage matters to you, check the packaging. Also read the label for milk and soya.
Frequently asked questions
Is dark chocolate the same as a dark kano pastry?
No, a bar of dark chocolate isn’t a kano pastry filled with almond paste. The kano pastries described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS are classic filled pastries. If you specifically want a chocolate kano pastry, check that the description of the variant you’re buying actually mentions chocolate.
Which allergens should I check in kano pastries?
Read the allergen information on the packaging of the exact product. The kano pastries described list ingredients including wheat, milk, egg, soya and almond; ingredients and possible traces vary by variant. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly stated on the label of pre-packed foods.
Does dark packaging mean a product contains less sugar?
No, the colour or the word ‘dark’ isn’t a substitute for nutritional information. Compare the sugars and other nutritional values of the exact products on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and also check the serving size.
How should I store packaged kano pastries until the weekend?
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of your kano pastries. Jumbo and PLUS recommend keeping their described variants in a cool, dry, dark place; for its described variant, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin after opening.