Fans of dark chocolate
You’re looking for a chocolate bar with a stated cocoa percentage for your board game night, and the biscuit shape matters less to you.
Who might prefer each option?
Hosts planning a sweet snack spread
You’d like to serve traditional kano pastries filled with almond paste and want to know how many portions are in the pack.
Guests who need to check labels
Before serving, you want to check the ingredients and allergens listed on the packaging you’ve chosen, including for an individual chocolate bar.
What should you look for when choosing?
A kano pastry and a bar of dark chocolate cater to different tastes on the snack table. Decide whether the almond-paste-filled biscuit or the cocoa flavour is your priority, then check the packaging for your guests.
Dark chocolate
Choose this if: you’d like to compare stated cocoa percentages, such as the 70% on the Delicata bar according to Albert Heijn.
The trade-off: a chocolate bar doesn’t have the biscuit texture or almond paste filling of a kano pastry.
Kano pastries with almond paste
Choose these if: you’d like to share a traditional biscuit filled with almond paste; Albert Heijn and Jumbo also list the number of portions per pack.
The trade-off: the kano pastries discussed here don’t have a stated high cocoa percentage or a dark chocolate coating.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa flavour | Check the type of product and the stated cocoa percentage on the chocolate bar. | If I mainly want to taste dark chocolate, I’d rather choose a bar than a kano pastry with no stated cocoa percentage. Around 50% of consumers prioritise this preference for cocoa. |
| Sharing and almond paste | Check the number of portions and the stated almond paste filling in the kano pastry you’ve chosen. | For a plate of sweet biscuits to enjoy while playing, I care more about portions and almond paste than cocoa. Around 30% of consumers put this preference first. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the actual packaging. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to make sure everyone can enjoy the snacks. Checking the label comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming a kano pastry is a dark chocolate variety
The kano pastries discussed here are biscuits filled with almond paste; the cocoa percentages mentioned belong to separate chocolate products.
If a stated cocoa percentage is essential, choose a chocolate bar rather than a kano pastry based on its name or appearance.
-
Assuming all kano pastries contain the same allergens
Ingredients and possible traces vary by product. Once snacks are served on a shared plate, it can also be difficult to find the packaging.
Check each pack separately and keep the label information close to the snacks for guests to refer to.
-
Relying only on the online product description
When it’s time to serve, the information on the packaging you actually have is what counts.
Check the best-before date and storage instructions on the pack too.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Roomboter kano’s and the separate Delicata bar illustrate the difference between almond-paste-filled pastries and dark chocolate.
- According to Albert Heijn, the kano pastries contain 41% almond paste; the Delicata bar states 70% cocoa solids.
- The bar’s cocoa percentage is not a feature of the kano pastries.
Jumbo
Jumbo Kano’s met Roomboter are an option if you’re looking for a biscuit filled with almond paste.
- Jumbo lists this product as 275 g and 38% almond paste.
- The product description doesn’t mention a dark chocolate coating or a high cocoa percentage.
PLUS
PLUS Roomboter kano’s and Aviateur Kano’s are two separate options in the classic kano pastry category.
- PLUS describes its own kano pastries as biscuits with almond paste; for Aviateur, PLUS lists a 46% almond paste filling.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on each pack rather than assuming these products are the same variety.
Sondey
Lidl Nederland describes Sondey Kano’s as butter biscuits filled with almond paste.
- The pack listed contains 325 g.
- Lidl’s separate chocolate product with 90% cocoa isn’t a Sondey Kano.
Verkade
Verkade Kookchocolade 71% is a chocolate option, not a kano pastry.
- Verkade lists 71% cocoa and breakable pieces of 25 and 10 g.
- The product is described as cooking chocolate, so don’t choose it expecting a ready-to-eat kano pastry.
Dark chocolate at Joybuy
These bars are suited to choosing chocolate with a stated cocoa percentage for a board game night. They’re separate chocolate products, not kano pastries filled with almond paste, so check the packaging and label before sharing.
Image unavailable
Lindt Excellence 78% Cacao, 100 g
A chocolate bar for anyone who cares more about a stated cocoa percentage than the biscuit shape of a kano pastry.
The product name states 78% cocoa and 100 g. Check the label for allergens before sharing the bar with guests.
Image unavailable
Tony's Chocolonely Pure 70%, 180 g
An alternative if you’d like to serve dark chocolate instead of kano pastries filled with almond paste.
The product name states 70% cocoa and 180 g. Check the packaging for the ingredients and allergens, and consider how you’d like to share the bar.
Image unavailable
Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa, 100 g
A chocolate bar for anyone who’d rather prioritise cocoa than choose a kano pastry filled with almond paste.
The product name states 70% cocoa and 100 g. If any guests have allergies, read the allergen information on the physical packaging.
Image unavailable
Lindt Excellence 90% Cocoa Supreme Dark, 100 g
An option if you’re specifically looking for a higher stated cocoa percentage when choosing chocolate, rather than expecting a kano pastry.
The product name states 90% cocoa and 100 g. Also compare the nutritional information and check the label for allergens.
Frequently asked questions
How should you store kano pastries and dark chocolate for game night?
Follow the storage instructions on both packs. Albert Heijn advises storing its kano pastries in a sealed tin once opened, and keeping the Delicata bar in a cool, dark, dry place.
Which allergens should you check in kano pastries?
Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack of the kano pastry you’ve chosen, including any mentions of wheat, soya, milk, egg and almond. Ingredients and any warnings vary by product.
Where can you find allergen information on a pre-packed snack?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens in pre-packed foods must be listed in the ingredients and clearly distinguished. Read the packaging of the product you’re actually serving.
Is dark chocolate automatically a lighter option than a kano pastry?
No. A cocoa percentage alone doesn’t tell you how the nutritional value of a chocolate bar compares with that of a kano pastry. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and the portion you plan to serve.