Who is this choice relevant to?

The organic-minded dessert buyer

Wants to serve speculoos with coffee, tea or dessert, and checks the packaging to make sure the organic claim applies to the exact product.

The vegan speculoos fan

Is looking for an organic option without animal-derived ingredients, and also checks the label for cereals containing gluten and possible traces of allergens.

The ingredient comparer

Wants to compare organic options by ingredients and nutritional values per 100 g, including sugars, fibre and saturated fat. Allergen information matters too.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, check the organic claim on the speculoos you’re considering. Then compare the recipe with the occasion you’re serving it for, and read the nutritional information and allergen details on the packaging.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
Organic status On the exact pack, look for the EU organic logo, the code number of the inspection body and the origin statement for the agricultural ingredients. If buying organic is my priority, I want to be able to check the claim on the pack. Around 42% of consumers say this check is their top priority.
Recipe and serving occasion Check the ingredients and, if stated, the proportion of speculoos spices. Also consider the shape and packaging of the biscuits. For coffee or dessert, I want a biscuit with a recipe that suits what I’m serving. This matters most to around 33% of consumers.
Diet and nutritional information Read the ingredients, allergens and possible traces; compare sugars, fibre, saturated fat and salt per 100 g. If I want to avoid animal-derived ingredients or need to take allergens into account, I look beyond the front of the pack. Around 25% of consumers put this label check first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming organic means better nutritional values

    Organic production and sugar content are two different product characteristics. The organic options described by Albert Heijn and Ekoplaza have different nutritional values.

    Check the organic claim separately, then compare similar biscuits per 100 g for sugars, fibre, saturated fat and salt.

  • Confusing spelt or vegan with gluten-free

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, spelt is a type of wheat and contains gluten. The vegan spelt biscuits described are therefore not gluten-free; the classic Ekoplaza speculoos also lists egg as an ingredient.

    If you have a food allergy or coeliac disease, check the current ingredients, allergen information and any warnings about traces on the exact pack.

  • Taking a premium look as proof that a product is organic

    A familiar brand, vegan claim or flavour description does not confirm organic status. These features answer a different question from the organic claim on the packaging.

    To choose an organic product, look for the EU organic logo and the accompanying inspection and origin information on the product.

  • Comparing serving sizes only

    Nutritional values per serving depend on the serving size used. This means two packs are not always easy to compare on that basis.

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends comparing similar products per 100 g. Then consider which biscuit shape or packaging suits your serving occasion.

Brands compared

These product ranges feature different recipes. When you buy, always check the information for the specific version you’ve chosen.

BioToday

The Spelt speculoos biscuits are an organic, vegan spelt-based option to enjoy with coffee or tea.

  • Albert Heijn lists 6 g of fibre and 21 g of sugars per 100 g for this version.
  • This version contains cereals with gluten and may contain nuts and sesame; vegan does not mean gluten-free.

Billy's Farm

The organic vegan spelt speculoos biscuits are an alternative for anyone who also wants to compare the sweeteners used.

  • Ekoplaza lists date syrup and maize malt as sweeteners, and gives the sugar content as 19.1 g per 100 g.
  • The biscuits contain cereals with gluten and may contain nuts and sesame. Using syrups as sweeteners doesn’t make them sugar-free.

Ekoplaza

The classic speculoos described is an organic recipe made with ingredients including wheat flour, cane sugar, egg and speculoos spices.

  • The product information states that the ingredients are organic and lists 1.6% speculoos spices.
  • As it contains egg, this version is not vegan. Ekoplaza lists 28.5 g of sugars per 100 g and possible traces of milk, nuts, sesame and soya, among other allergens.

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff Speculoos XL is an option for anyone looking for a vegan biscuit with a caramelised flavour, even if organic certification isn’t a requirement.

  • According to Albert Heijn, the XL version described is suitable for vegans.
  • Being suitable for vegans does not confirm organic status. If you want an organic option, check the packaging rather than relying on the brand name.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if speculoos is organic?

Look on the packaging for the EU organic logo, the code number of the inspection body and the origin statement for the agricultural ingredients. According to the European Commission, the organic logo is intended for certified products that meet the requirements for organic ingredients; a natural look is no substitute for this.

Does organic speculoos automatically contain less sugar?

No, the organic claim doesn’t tell you how much sugar a biscuit contains. Compare the nutritional information for similar products per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, and check any other values that matter for your choice too.

Is spelt speculoos gluten-free?

No, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, spelt is a type of wheat that contains gluten. If you have coeliac disease or a food allergy, also check the other ingredients and allergen information for the specific product.

Can I choose organic speculoos for a vegan dessert?

Yes, as long as the speculoos you choose is vegan. The BioToday and Billy's Farm versions described by Albert Heijn and Ekoplaza respectively are labelled vegan; the classic Ekoplaza speculoos described contains egg. Check the current packaging before choosing a version for your dessert.

How should I store speculoos once opened?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the product you’ve bought. For the BioToday version described, Albert Heijn recommends storing the biscuits in a cool, dark place in a sealed container. Also check the best-before information on the pack.