Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers comparing sugar content

You want to serve biscuits at Easter lunch, but base your choice on a verifiable comparison of the nutritional information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises comparing the nutritional values on food labels.

Guests who want to share traditional taaitaai

You’re looking for familiar taaitaai to serve, and don’t require it to be lower in sugar. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and ALDI list traditional taaitaai in their product ranges.

Shoppers buying just before Easter

You need to know whether your shop is open and has the biscuits you want before you set off. According to the Dutch government, Sunday opening hours can vary between municipalities.

What should you look for when buying?

Taaitaai with demonstrably less sugar

Choose this if: you specifically want taaitaai and can check a substantiated sugar comparison for that product.

The trade-off: without a basis for comparison, a claim on the packaging doesn’t tell you enough about the reduction in sugar.

Traditional taaitaai

Choose this if: you want to share a traditional biscuit and lower sugar isn’t essential.

The trade-off: the product name taaitaai says nothing about whether its sugar content has been reduced.

Another type of biscuit

Choose this if: you mainly want to compare sugar content and aren’t set on taaitaai.

The trade-off: another type of biscuit won’t have the same taste and texture as taaitaai; remember to check its label too.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Demonstrably less sugar Check the sugar content per 100 g and compare it with similar taaitaai. According to the European Commission, a ‘reduced sugar’ claim requires a reduction of at least 30%. If less sugar is my main priority, I want to be able to check a comparison before choosing taaitaai. For around 39% of consumers, this demonstrable reduction comes first.
Tradition and sharing Check the product’s shape and the pack size to make sure there’s enough for your guests; don’t assume a larger pack means less sugar. I want to share familiar taaitaai and don’t have a strict requirement for reduced sugar. For around 23% of consumers, this traditional choice takes priority.
Shopping around Easter Sunday Check the branch’s opening hours and whether the biscuits you want are currently in stock. If I’m shopping just before lunch, I need to know whether I can get the biscuits in time. For around 23% of consumers, planning is the main concern.
Ingredients and nutritional information Check the current packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values per 100 g. If guests need to watch what they eat, I want to read the label before serving. For around 15% of consumers, these checks come before the other considerations.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming honey means less sugar

    Honey contains sugars. A traditional look or honey as an ingredient doesn’t tell you how much sugar the biscuits contain.

    Compare the sugar content per 100 g and read the ingredients list for the biscuits you want to buy.

  • Treating traditional taaitaai as lower in sugar

    A product can be traditional taaitaai without qualifying for a ‘reduced sugar’ claim.

    If you specifically want less sugar, check the claim and compare the product with similar taaitaai. If there’s no basis for comparison, don’t choose it on the assumption that its sugar content has been reduced.

  • Waiting until Easter Sunday to check the shop

    According to the Dutch government, Sunday opening hours can vary between municipalities. A product listing also doesn’t tell you whether the biscuits are in stock at your local branch at that moment.

    Check the branch’s opening hours and current availability before setting off; choose an alternative biscuit in advance if needed.

  • Relying on an old product page for allergen information

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. This matters when you’re serving guests with specific dietary needs.

    Read the current packaging before putting the biscuits on the table.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists regular AH Taai taai and also has a separate category for biscuits aimed at sugar-conscious shoppers.

  • You can distinguish taaitaai from other types of biscuit.
  • A biscuit in the sugar-conscious category isn’t automatically taaitaai; check the label of the specific product.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists De Originele Taai Taai in a 500 g pack, as well as a separate taaitaai figure.

  • The pack size and product shapes listed can help you choose taaitaai to share.
  • Don’t assume the sugar content has been reduced based on the standard product name.

ALDI

ALDI describes Taai-taai 500 g as anise-flavoured biscuits in figure shapes.

  • The product description specifies the flavour, shape and pack size.
  • The product is listed in the Sinterklaas range; check availability around Easter and assess its sugar content separately.

Joybuy products for this choice

  • Reduced-sugar biscuits
  • Traditional taaitaai
  • Anise-flavoured biscuits

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘reduced sugar’ mean on a biscuit?

According to the European Commission, this nutrition claim means at least 30% less sugar than in a comparable product. For taaitaai, check which biscuit it’s being compared with and read the nutritional information for the specific product.

Is taaitaai made with honey automatically a lower-sugar choice?

No, honey also contains sugars. The ingredients list and sugar content per 100 g are more useful guides than the mention of honey alone.

Can I still buy taaitaai on Easter Sunday?

That depends on the opening hours of the specific branch and whether the biscuits are available. The Dutch government says Sunday opening hours can vary between municipalities, so check both before you set off.

Why should I read the packaging as well as the product page?

The current packaging is important for checking the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of the biscuits you’re serving. These details can change, so don’t rely on an online product page alone when choosing food for guests with specific dietary needs.