Value seekers with a sharing table
You want enough nuts to share, and judge a large bag by how much you’ll actually use, rather than simply by the words ‘value pack’. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and ALDI list examples of nut mixes in 500 g packs.
Who are these options for?
Mindful snack sharers
You’re looking for an unsalted nut mix and want to know which types of nuts it contains. For example, ALDI lists almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts in its TRADER JOE'S Notenmelange.
Those handing out set portions
You want to hand out bags rather than serve portions yourself. Foods & Goods lists a box of Duyvis Borrelnootjes Provencale containing 20 bags of 45 g each.
What should you consider when choosing?
When choosing nuts for a street festival, the practical considerations depend on what you want to hand out, which ingredients you’re looking for and what you’ll have left afterwards.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this more important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Value for the amount you’ll use | Compare the price per kilo and net weight, and factor in any delivery charges. | If I want to buy enough for the sharing table and also account for what we’ll use later, the amount we can actually use matters a lot to me. Around 28% of consumers prioritise cost per usable quantity. |
| Ingredients | Check the ingredients, types of nuts, any coating and salt information for the specific product. | If I want to serve an unsalted mix or particular types of nuts, the ingredients matter more to me than the packaging format. Around 22% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
| Portioning yourself or handing out individual portions | For individual bags, check the number of packs and the weight of each one. | When I want to hand things out quickly in a busy place, I don’t want to have to weigh out portions on the spot. Around 22% of consumers choose mainly for convenience when handing out portions. |
| Allergen information | Keep the packaging and check the ingredients and warnings for the correct product. | If I’m sharing nuts with others, I want the allergen information to hand so they can check the packaging. Around 17% of consumers prioritise checking this information. |
| Leftovers | Check the best-before date and follow the storage instructions. Keep unused stock separate from nuts that have been served. | If I expect to have some left after the festival, I want to keep the amount I open manageable. Around 11% of consumers prioritise minimising leftovers and being able to use them later. |
Common pitfalls
-
Assuming a value pack is automatically cheaper
The product name Jumbo Unroasted Mixed Nuts Value Pack 500 g describes the pack size, but doesn’t prove that it offers better value than another bag.
Compare the net weight, price per kilo and ingredients with products of the same type.
-
Confusing seasoned party nuts with a plain nut mix
Duyvis Provencale consists of coated peanuts with flavourings. Makro’s listing for the 20 × 45 g pack names peanuts and wheat.
Compare the product type and ingredients first, then consider the size and price.
-
Assuming a stand-up pouch is resealable
The product name for the 500 g PLUS stand-up pouch doesn’t confirm that it has a resealable closure.
Check the seal on the packaging and follow the storage advice. If the bag doesn’t close properly, you may need a suitable storage container.
-
Throwing away the allergen information when you’re sharing
Ingredients and potential allergens vary between products and versions. A coating may also contain ingredients you wouldn’t expect in a nut mix.
Keep the original packaging with the correct nuts and use the information for that exact product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that food businesses must inform consumers about allergens present.
Relevant brands
Duyvis
A relevant option if you’re looking for seasoned party nuts in individual portions. Foods & Goods lists a box of Provencale containing 20 bags of 45 g each.
- The retailer lists 900 g in total, divided into individual bags.
- Makro’s ingredient information for this version names peanuts and wheat; it isn’t an unsalted tree nut mix.
Albert Heijn
The range includes AH Unsalted Nut Mix in a 500 g pack.
- A large bag may suit you if you want to portion the nuts yourself.
- The product name doesn’t specify which types of nuts it contains or their proportions. Albert Heijn recommends checking the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a 500 g Value Pack of Unroasted Mixed Nuts.
- The product description specifies both that the nuts are unroasted and the pack weight.
- The words ‘value pack’ alone don’t prove that it’s cheaper than other products.
Lidl
Lidl lists a 200 g bag of unroasted, unsalted mixed nuts.
- A smaller pack may suit you if you’d rather not open several bags at once.
- The product page says it’s sold in store, but this doesn’t guarantee availability at a particular shop.
ALDI
ALDI lists TRADER JOE'S Unsalted Nut Mix, 500 g.
- ALDI names almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and Brazil nuts as the ingredients.
- This product description applies to the mix named and doesn’t mean that other nut mixes have the same ingredients.
PLUS
PLUS lists unroasted, unsalted mixed nuts in stand-up pouches weighing 500 g and 200 g.
- The two pack sizes let you choose between a larger bag and a smaller amount per bag.
- The term ‘stand-up pouch’ doesn’t confirm that the packaging is resealable. Ingredient information for the 200 g version doesn’t automatically apply to the 500 g version.
Products at Joybuy
These Joybuy products include large packs for portioning yourself, specific types of nuts, a mix in individual portions and seasoned peanuts. Check the ingredients and allergen information for each product before choosing.
No image available
g'woon Unroasted Mixed Nuts 500 g
The 500 g pack may suit you if you want to portion the nuts yourself. The description lists hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds and cashews; it may contain traces of peanuts.
No image available
J.ZAO Pecan Halves 500 g
This pack may suit you if you want to offer pecans as an individual snack. The product description lists 500 g and 87.6% pecans. The ingredients also include sugar and salt, so this isn’t an unsalted nut mix.
No image available
J.ZAO Classic Daily-Nut Mix 750 g, 30 sachets
The individual sachets may suit you if you want to have portions ready in advance. The pack contains 750 g across 30 sachets of 25 g each. The mix contains nuts and dried fruit, including walnuts, almonds, cashews and hazelnuts.
No image available
BE&CHEERY Premium Macadamia Nuts 500 g
This bag may suit you if you want to hand out one specific type of nut. It contains 500 g, and the ingredients list only macadamia nuts. The product information recommends consuming the contents straight after opening.
No image available
Duyvis Coated Peanuts Provençal 275 g
This product may suit you if you want to serve seasoned party nuts rather than a plain nut mix. The pack contains 275 g; the description lists coated peanuts with onion and garlic flavour. The product contains peanuts and gluten from wheat, and may contain traces of milk, nuts, soya and mustard.
Frequently asked questions
How do you work out how many packs you need?
Multiply the amount you plan to serve each person by the number of people who’ll be eating nuts, then divide the total by the weight of each pack. Round the number of packs up. Foods & Goods lists 20 bags of 45 g each in the Duyvis box. This is the weight of the pack contents, not a general dietary recommendation.
Does ‘unsalted’ mean nuts are suitable for someone with a nut or peanut allergy?
No. ‘Unsalted’ doesn’t mean a product is allergen-free. The 200 g PLUS nut mix contains several types of nuts and states that it may also contain peanuts. Always check the ingredients and warnings on the exact pack.
How long can you keep nuts after the festival?
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s general advice for opened mixed, unsalted nuts is six months in a kitchen cupboard and one year in the freezer; quality may decline after that. This advice doesn’t automatically apply to nuts that have been served or to other varieties. Follow the product instructions and don’t eat nuts that are rancid, tough or mouldy.
What do you need to arrange if you’re selling nuts at a street festival as a food business?
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, food businesses must inform consumers about allergens present and prepare, sell and store food safely and hygienically. These requirements apply to sales by food businesses and aren’t automatically conditions for every household buying nuts.
What should you consider if you want to hand out nuts to children?
Consider whether whole nuts are suitable for the children receiving them. The packaging for the 200 g PLUS nut mix reviewed warns that young children can choke on nuts; this warning applies to that product information.