Who is this for?

Those looking for a small portion

You want to try just a little sweet aniseed flavour with your Dutch mash and are looking for a finer topping that you can measure out yourself.

Aniseed fans who enjoy a crunchy texture

You’re considering whole Muisjes for their recognisable aniseed seeds, sugar coating and splash of colour.

Label-conscious diners

You want to check the ingredients, sugars and allergens in your chosen variety before serving it to guests.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, choose between a fine or whole texture. Then check the pack size and decide how much you want to serve separately.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Texture and portion Compare crushed Muisjes with whole Muisjes and check the pack size; measure out the amount you want yourself. If I only want to add a fine, small finishing touch, I don’t want to use the pack size as a guide to portion size. This is the priority for around 45% of consumers.
Sugars and allergens Read the nutritional information per 100 g and check the current ingredients and allergen declaration for your chosen variety. When I’m serving guests, I want to know which ingredients and allergens are listed for that particular pack. This is the main consideration for an estimated 33% of consumers.
Aniseed flavour and colour Choose deliberately between whole and crushed Muisjes; serve a small amount separately if not everyone wants the sweet contrast. For a colourful garnish, I want to be able to recognise the whole aniseed seeds without mixing the flavour through all the Dutch mash. An estimated 22% of consumers are expected to prioritise this.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming crushed means a mini portion

    According to De Ruijter’s brand history, crushed Muisjes were created by grinding Muisjes finely. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list this variety in a 270 g pack, so a finer texture doesn’t determine how much you serve.

    Choose crushed Muisjes if you want a fine topping, and measure out the portion separately.

  • Expecting a neutral garnish

    Muisjes are sugar-coated aniseed seeds. Their sweet aniseed flavour will therefore stand out against savoury Dutch mash, and the product information we consulted doesn’t list Dutch mash as a suggested use.

    If you like, serve them separately so everyone can try a small amount first.

  • Choosing by colour alone

    Product information from PLUS and Joybuy lists wheat or gluten for the whole varieties we checked; a listing for crushed Muisjes also mentions milk. These details can vary between varieties.

    Before serving, check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you’re actually using.

A relevant brand to consider

De Ruijter

De Ruijter offers both whole and crushed Muisjes. According to its own brand history, the crushed variety was created by grinding Muisjes finely.

  • If you’re looking for a finer texture, crushed Muisjes are a different product form from whole aniseed seeds.
  • Albert Heijn and Jumbo list crushed Muisjes in 270 g packs and the whole varieties we checked in 330 g packs. You’ll still need to divide the crushed pack into small portions yourself.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Do crushed Muisjes come in a mini pack?

No. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list crushed Muisjes in a 270 g pack. The whole varieties listed come in 330 g packs, so you’ll need to measure out a small portion yourself for either type.

What should I look out for with allergens?

Check the pack for your chosen variety before serving Muisjes. The listings we checked for whole Muisjes mention wheat or gluten; a listing for crushed Muisjes also mentions milk. Don’t rely on the colour or the variety name alone.

Can I mix Muisjes into Dutch mash?

You can try them as a personal taste experiment, but the product information we consulted doesn’t list Dutch mash as a suggested use. It’s better to serve a small amount separately first, so the sweet aniseed flavour doesn’t take over the whole pan straight away.

How should I store an opened pack?

Keep the pack tightly closed and dry after opening. Joybuy also recommends keeping its listed Muisjes in a cool place out of direct sunlight; follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy.