Dark chocolate fans
You’re looking for a distinct dark chocolate flavour for the autumn half-term break. You’ll want to check the packaging to see which type of chocolate the product contains, rather than relying on the name of the biscuit.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Families and groups looking to share a biscuit
You’re after something to enjoy with coffee or tea and want to know how many portions are in a pack. A classic kano pastry filled with almond paste could be a good fit if chocolate isn’t a must.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients
You take allergens into account when choosing, or want to compare nutritional information. Check the current packaging for the exact variant you’re serving.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you mainly want a kano pastry filled with almond paste, or whether dark chocolate is the deciding factor. Then check the portions, availability and information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate | Look for an explicit mention of dark chocolate. Compare cocoa percentages only when they’re stated on the products in question; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the terms ‘bitter’ and ‘extra bitter’ have no legally defined cocoa percentage. | If I’m choosing chocolate specifically, I don’t want to come home with a standard almond paste kano pastry. For around 36% of consumers, that dark chocolate flavour comes first. |
| Portions and packaging | Check the net weight, number of portions and storage instructions. Albert Heijn lists six 45 g portions for its butter kano pastries; Jumbo lists five 55 g portions for its variant. | When sharing with others over coffee or tea, I want to know there’ll be enough to go round, rather than judging by pack size alone. For around 27% of consumers, the number of suitable portions is the first consideration. |
| Availability | Check whether your local store stocks the product you want. Lidl lists Sondey Kano's as an in-store product, so check the local range before making a special trip. | If I need a snack for a planned occasion, I want to know I can actually buy it. Local availability is the deciding factor for around 19% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the current ingredients and allergen information. Compare nutritional values per 100 g; this is also the basis for comparing labels recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. | If I’m serving something to people with different dietary requirements or allergies, I want to know exactly what’s in this particular variant. For around 18% of consumers, this check is the main priority. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking an almond paste kano pastry for a dark chocolate snack
A product isn’t a chocolate biscuit just because it’s called a kano. The variants described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Lidl, ALDI and PLUS are biscuits filled with almond paste or other pastry-style fillings.
Make chocolate an essential criterion: check the ingredients in the kano pastry, or choose another type of snack that explicitly states it contains dark chocolate.
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Relying on out-of-date allergen information online
When buying a product for a group, differences between the online listing and the packaging can matter. The allergen information for variants from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, among others, should be checked for each product.
Read the label on the pack you’ve bought again just before serving, even if you’ve bought the same product before.
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Judging the whole snack by its high cocoa percentage
A cocoa percentage doesn’t tell you the full nutritional value of a chocolate bar or biscuit. Nor does it mean the product is a kano pastry filled with almond paste.
Choose based on flavour and product type, and compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the labels if you wish.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes its 270 g butter kano pastries as biscuits containing 41% almond pastry filling and 1% almond.
- The product information lists ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and six 45 g portions.
- This variant is described as a biscuit filled with almond paste; the listing doesn’t support choosing it for dark chocolate.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes its 275 g Kano's met Roomboter as butter biscuits containing 38% almond pastry filling.
- Jumbo lists ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and five 55 g portions.
- Check the allergens in this biscuit filled with almond paste; its product description doesn’t make it a dark chocolate biscuit.
Sondey
Lidl lists 325 g Sondey Kano's as butter biscuits filled with almond paste.
- The description makes it clear that this is a kano pastry with an almond paste filling.
- Lidl lists this as an in-store product. Check availability and the label in your local store.
Heerlijck Banket
ALDI lists 330 g Heerlijck Banket Kano's as kano-shaped pastries to enjoy with coffee.
- The product description and pack size are useful if you’re looking for a traditional pastry.
- Check your local range and read the packaging for ingredients and allergens.
Aviateur
PLUS describes 230 g Aviateur Kano's as biscuits with a 46% almond pastry filling.
- PLUS lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values for this variant.
- The biscuit is described as having an almond paste filling, not a confirmed dark chocolate filling. Check the current packaging when you buy it.
Chocolate alternatives on Joybuy
These products are alternatives for anyone who cares more about chocolate flavour than a classic kano pastry filled with almond paste. The Lindt products are bars; LU Scholiertje is a biscuit-style snack. So compare the product types before choosing based on cocoa percentage or chocolate flavour.
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Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate, 100 g
An option if you want a chocolate bar with a stated cocoa percentage instead of a kano pastry. The product name states 70% cocoa and a weight of 100 g; check the current allergen information on the packaging before sharing.
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Lindt Excellence 90% Cocoa Supreme Dark, 100 g
For anyone specifically looking for a bar with a stated cocoa percentage, rather than a kano pastry. The product name states 90% cocoa and 100 g; don’t judge the full nutritional value by the percentage alone, and read the label if you have allergies.
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Lindt Excellence Dark Orange Chocolate, 100 g
A chocolate bar with orange for anyone looking for a different flavour from an almond paste kano pastry. The product name states dark chocolate and 100 g, but doesn’t give a cocoa percentage. Check the label if the percentage will affect your choice, and check the allergens too.
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LU Scholiertje Chocolate, 150 g
A biscuit-style alternative if you’d rather not choose a plain chocolate bar; it isn’t a kano pastry. The product name states a weight of 150 g. Before serving, check the packaging for the type of chocolate, the cocoa percentage if that matters to you, and the allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ in a kano pastry automatically mean it has a high cocoa content?
No, the term alone doesn’t give a specific cocoa percentage for the biscuit. Check whether the packaging mentions dark chocolate and whether it gives a percentage. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the terms ‘bitter’ and ‘extra bitter’ also have no legally defined cocoa percentage.
Which allergens should I check when buying kano pastries for others?
Read the allergen information for the variant you’ve bought before serving it. The product information for the kano pastries described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS includes allergens such as wheat, milk, soya, egg and almond; the relevant ingredients vary by product.
How do I compare packs with different portion sizes?
Check both the total pack size and the stated portions to estimate how much you’ll need for your group. Albert Heijn lists six 45 g portions for its butter kano pastries, while Jumbo lists five 55 g portions for its variant. Compare the nutritional information for different products per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
How should I store an opened pack of kano pastries?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for your product. Albert Heijn recommends storing its butter kano pastries in a sealed container once opened; Jumbo advises keeping its variant in a cool, dry and dark place.