Organisers with young children
You want to organise a fun hunt without automatically using whole nuts as edible prizes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises children to sit calmly while eating; make sure there’s appropriate supervision too.
Who is this for?
Households weighing up how much to buy
You want to buy enough for your group without being left with more leftovers than you can use. Compare the contents of a large pack with a smaller bag, and consider whether you’ll use the rest at home.
Groups choosing a snack thoughtfully
You’re looking for nuts to enjoy after the hunt and want to choose between an unsalted mix and a savoury treat. Check the ingredients and allergens in the exact product for everyone who’ll be eating them.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide when and who will eat the nuts; then choose a pack based on how much you expect to use and the ingredients.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who does this matter most to? |
|---|---|---|
| Eating safely around the hunt | Keep the hunt separate from eating; have children sit calmly and supervise them. | If young children are taking part, I don’t want to automatically use whole nuts as hunt prizes. I’d arrange a separate time to eat them. Around 28% of consumers put safe eating for children first. |
| Allergens for your group | Read the ingredients and allergen warnings on the exact pack. | If anyone eating has an allergy, I want to check that both the ingredients and any warnings are suitable for them. Around 22% of consumers make allergen compatibility their top priority when choosing. |
| How much will actually be used | Match the net weight to the number of suitable people eating and how the rest will be used later. | If I want to avoid unused leftovers, I choose an amount based on what the group will actually eat. Around 22% of consumers put the usable quantity first. |
| What’s in the snack | Compare things such as the types of nuts, how they’re prepared, the oil and the salt content. | When I’m choosing a snack thoughtfully, I want to know whether an unsalted mix or a seasoned snack is a better fit for the group. Around 17% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
| Portioning and storage | Check the portion information and how opened nuts should be stored. | If I want to keep preparation simple and leftovers manageable, I check how to portion and seal the contents. Around 11% of consumers prioritise easy portioning and storage. |
The percentages show which consideration consumers prioritise in this Easter egg hunt scenario; they are not market shares. If anyone has an allergy, always follow the information on the exact pack.
Common mistakes
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Assuming a small bag is a child-safe choice
The size of the pack doesn’t change the choking risk posed by whole nuts.
First consider who will eat the nuts and when. Don’t automatically use whole nuts as edible prizes for young children.
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Only checking for peanuts in coated snack nuts
The Duyvis Cocktail Nuts reviewed also contain wheat and milk ingredients. A different flavour or pack may have different ingredients.
Check the ingredients and warnings for the exact product before serving it.
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Choosing a large pack without planning how you’ll use it
A larger pack is only practical if your group will use the extra nuts.
Compare the pack size with how much you expect to use, and decide in advance what you’ll do with any leftovers.
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Assuming a stand-up pouch can be resealed
The term ‘stand-up pouch’ doesn’t confirm that the pack will seal properly after opening.
Follow the storage instructions on the label and check whether you’ll need a resealable pack or storage container. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping nuts in a cool, dry and dark place.
Brands to consider
Duyvis
An option for a savoury treat after the hunt. Duyvis describes its Borrelnootjes as peanuts with a crunchy coating.
- The manufacturer describes several flavour options.
- Ingredients and allergens can vary by product; the Cocktail Nuts reviewed also contain wheat and milk ingredients.
Albert Heijn
The 500 g AH Unsalted Nut Mix is a practical size for sharing.
- AH lists almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts and sunflower oil.
- The mix is unsalted but contains both roasted and unroasted ingredients. The stated portions are not recommendations for children.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a 500 g unroasted nut mix and a separate coated snack nut product.
- The unroasted mix described contains 30% walnuts, 30% hazelnuts, 20% cashews and 20% almonds.
- Coated snack nuts are a different snack choice from an unroasted nut mix.
Lidl
The 200 g nut mix reviewed is a smaller size for occasional use.
- Lidl describes the mix as unroasted and unsalted.
- The smaller pack doesn’t automatically make whole nuts suitable as edible prizes for young children.
ALDI
ALDI describes a 500 g unsalted nut mix under the TRADER JOE’S product brand.
- The product description lists almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts.
- The types of nuts listed don’t give the exact proportion of each.
PLUS
PLUS lists unroasted, unsalted nut mixes in 200 g and 500 g packs.
- PLUS lists the same proportions for both sizes: 30% walnuts, 30% hazelnuts, 20% almonds and 20% cashews.
- A stand-up pouch isn’t necessarily resealable after opening.
Nuts and snacks at Joybuy
These products are packaged nuts and nut snacks for enjoying after the hunt. Check the ingredients of each product and bear in mind the differences between unsalted nuts, salted nuts and other snacks.
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Wolong Assorted Pure Nuts, tin, 500 g
The 500 g pack is designed for sharing after the hunt; don’t automatically use whole nuts as edible prizes for young children.
The ingredients list names six types of nuts. The salt content is listed as 0 g per 100 g.
Contains almonds, cashews, walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and pistachios.
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g’woon unroasted mixed nuts, 500 g
This size is suited to sharing when the amount matches how much you expect to use; it contains whole nuts.
The product description lists an unroasted, unsalted mix of hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews.
May contain traces of peanuts and other nuts. Check the pack for the latest ingredients and warnings.
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J.ZAO peeled whole chestnuts, 1 kg, 10 sachets
The individual packs can be handy for portioning; keep snack time separate from the hunt for young children.
The product description lists 100% chestnuts, ready-to-eat, in 10 sachets of 100 g each, totalling 1 kg.
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J.ZAO pistachios, 1 kg
This pack is a good option if you’re specifically looking for pistachios for a larger snack occasion; it isn’t an unsalted nut mix.
The product description lists 99% pistachios and 1% salt in a 1 kg pack.
Contains whole pistachios; don’t automatically use them as edible prizes for young children.
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J.ZAO pecan halves, 500 g
This pack is an option if you’re looking for pecans to serve as a snack; its ingredients differ from those of an unsalted nut mix.
The product description lists 87.6% pecans, sugar and salt in a 500 g pack. The stated salt content is 2.0 g per 100 g.
Contains whole pecans; don’t automatically use them as edible prizes for young children.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use whole nuts as edible prizes in a children’s hunt?
Don’t automatically do this for young children. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises children to sit calmly while eating and for an adult to stay nearby. You can keep the hunt separate from snack time.
How many people can share 500 g of nuts?
It depends on the portion sizes and who actually eats the nuts. For its 500 g AH Unsalted Nut Mix, AH lists twenty 25 g portions. This is the portion information for that product, not a recommended portion for children or a guarantee that one pack will be enough for twenty people.
Which allergen information should you check when buying nuts for a group?
Read the ingredients list and any warnings on the exact pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) treats peanuts and tree nuts as separate allergens, so check the other ingredients in any flavoured coating as well as warnings about cross-contamination.
How do you choose between a 200 g bag and a 500 g pack?
Choose based on how many suitable people will be eating and whether you’ll use the rest at home. A smaller pack may suit occasional use; a larger pack calls for a plan to portion and store it. Compare the ingredients too, as products with different ingredients aren’t directly like for like.
How should you store nuts left over after the hunt?
Follow the storage instructions and best-before date on the pack. For unsalted cashews, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing them in a cool, dark and dry place in a well-sealed container. Don’t automatically apply that specific storage period to every mixed or seasoned snack.