Who is this choice relevant to?

Coffee drinker with a strict sugar limit

You want a biscuit whose sugar claim you can check against the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information per 100 g. Attractive wording on the front of the pack isn’t enough for you.

Classic speculaas fan who wants to compare

You want to keep enjoying baker’s speculaas with your coffee, but compare standard varieties by their sugars and other nutritional values per 100 g. A difference between two products is not the same as a low-sugar claim.

Shopper who needs to check ingredients or allergens

For you, whether the ingredients are suitable matters more than the sugar value. For example, a speculoos product labelled ‘sugar-free’ may contain almonds, wheat, egg, milk or soya.

What should you look for in speculaas to enjoy with your coffee?

Start with your main priority: a specific sugar claim, a comparison between standard speculaas products, or suitable ingredients. Then compare like-for-like biscuits per 100 g; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers can set their own serving sizes.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Sugar value and claim Read the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and check exactly what claim appears on the product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 5 g per 100 g for ‘low sugar’ and 0.5 g for ‘sugar-free’. If I want to stick to a clear upper limit for sugars, the value on the pack needs to support my choice. Around 40% of consumers prioritise this sugar limit.
Comparing standard speculaas Compare sugars per 100 g across standard varieties and check the rest of the nutritional information too. Albert Heijn lists 33 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Bakkers speculaas; Jumbo lists 29 g for Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas. If you like to enjoy classic baker’s speculaas with your coffee, you may want to make an informed choice within this category without calling a lower value ‘low sugar’. This matters most to around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Check the full ingredients and allergen information. Céréal lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g for Speculoos met stukjes amandel; Jumbo lists allergens including almonds, wheat, egg, milk and soya. If certain ingredients or allergens aren’t suitable for me, I want to rule them out before the sugar value influences my choice. For around 30% of consumers, this check comes first.

Common mistakes with sugar claims

  • Reading ‘no added sugars’ as ‘sugar-free’

    These terms don’t mean the same thing: a product with no added sugars can still contain sugars.

    Check the exact claim and the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets a maximum of 5 g per 100 g for ‘low sugar’ and 0.5 g per 100 g for ‘sugar-free’.

  • Confusing a lower sugar value with low sugar

    Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas contains 29 g of sugars per 100 g according to Jumbo, while AH Bakkers speculaas contains 33 g according to Albert Heijn. One product therefore has a lower stated value, but both are above the limit for ‘low sugar’ given by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

    Compare these products only if you’re choosing between standard baker’s speculaas biscuits. If you’re looking for a product with a specific sugar claim, check that claim separately.

  • Skipping the rest of the label because the sugar value is low

    Céréal Speculoos met stukjes amandel lists 0.4 g of sugars and 29 g of polyols per 100 g. Allergens listed by Jumbo include almonds, wheat, egg, milk and soya. In a 1999 opinion, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Food highlighted the possible laxative effect of maltitol products as something to bear in mind.

    Check the current pack for ingredients, polyols and allergens, even if the sugar value suits your preferences.

  • Treating a recipe title as nutritional information

    A Jumbo recipe titled ‘Speculaas zonder suiker’ uses 500 g of maple syrup for four people. So, leaving out granulated sugar alone doesn’t tell you how much sugar the finished product contains.

    If you’re assessing the nutritional value of a recipe you’ve made yourself, include all the sweeteners used.

Brands and product ranges to consider

Céréal

Céréal offers Speculoos met stukjes amandel labelled ‘sugar-free’. The values below apply to this product, not the entire range.

  • According to Céréal, the product contains 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • Céréal also lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g. Check the allergens listed by Jumbo too, including almonds, wheat, egg, milk and soya.

Albert Heijn

AH Bakkers speculaas is a standard speculaas variety that you can compare with similar products per 100 g.

  • Albert Heijn provides nutritional information per 100 g, so you can compare its sugar value with those of other standard varieties.
  • According to Albert Heijn, AH Bakkers speculaas contains 33 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the pack for up-to-date ingredient and allergen information too.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both its own Bakkers Speculaas and Céréal Speculoos met stukjes amandel. These are different products; the characteristics of Céréal’s product don’t apply to Jumbo’s own speculaas.

  • Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas has a stated sugar value of 29 g per 100 g, which is useful when comparing standard speculaas.
  • That value is above the limit for ‘low sugar’ given by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Check the allergen information on each individual product too.

Sondey (Lidl)

Lidl presents Sondey as a brand of biscuits and cookies. Lidl also lists a baker’s speculaas product; don’t assume it’s a Sondey product.

  • Lidl lists its baker’s speculaas in a 600 g pack.
  • If you want to assess this product for sugars or allergens, read the nutritional information and ingredients on the pack of the variety you choose.

Products to enjoy with your coffee on Joybuy

Related products will appear here soon.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between low sugar, sugar-free and no added sugars?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes ‘low sugar’ as a maximum of 5 g of sugars per 100 g and ‘sugar-free’ as a maximum of 0.5 g per 100 g. ‘No added sugars’ refers to what has been added; it doesn’t mean the product contains no sugars. So check the ‘of which sugars’ figure in the nutritional information too.

How do I compare two types of speculaas to enjoy with my coffee?

Compare like-for-like speculaas products per 100 g, starting with the sugars value. Then look at saturated fat, salt, ingredients and allergens, among other things. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing products per 100 g because serving sizes can vary between manufacturers.

Does Céréal Speculoos met stukjes amandel count as sugar-free?

Céréal offers this variety labelled ‘sugar-free’ and lists 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g, which is below the 0.5 g limit the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives for ‘sugar-free’. Céréal also lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose before buying.

Is homemade speculaas made without granulated sugar also sugar-free?

No, leaving out granulated sugar doesn’t mean it’s sugar-free. For example, a Jumbo recipe with ‘zonder suiker’ in the title uses maple syrup. Include all the ingredients if you want to assess the sugars in the finished product.

What should I look out for with maltitol in speculoos?

Read the ingredients and check the stated amount of polyols: Céréal lists 29 g of polyols per 100 g for Speculoos met stukjes amandel. In a 1999 opinion, the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Food highlighted the possible laxative effect of maltitol products as something to bear in mind.