Hosting guests with different tastes
If you don’t know in advance who prefers dark chocolate, milk chocolate or flakes, offering a selection or individual portions lets guests choose without you having to pick one flavour for everyone.
Which option works best for you?
Dark chocolate fan
If you mainly want to offer a distinctive dark option, compare the cocoa percentages on the packs. They give you a more concrete point of comparison than words such as ‘specials’, but they’re no substitute for a taste test.
Hosting guests whose dietary requirements you need to check
If guests have requirements relating to gluten, milk, soya or lactose, the ingredients in both the chocolate sprinkles and the rusks matter. Ingredients can also vary between products in a mixed selection.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide what matters most for this coffee break: a dark chocolate flavour, choice for your guests, suitable ingredients or a quantity that’s right for your group.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Dark chocolate flavour | Compare the stated minimum cocoa solids percentage of the chocolate sprinkle varieties you’re considering. | I mainly want to offer a distinctive dark chocolate option with coffee, so I’ll choose my sprinkles accordingly. This would be the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Choice for guests | Check which varieties and how many individual portions are included in a selection. | If I don’t know what my guests prefer, I want to give them more than one option. Around 30% of consumers would put variety first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the labels on both the chocolate sprinkles and the rusks; if you need a gluten-free option, check each separately. | I want to serve something that meets my guests’ stated dietary requirements, so I’ll check the whole combination. This would be the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Right-sized quantity | Compare the net weight and number of portions with the number of rusks you plan to serve. | For a small group, I don’t want to open more than we’re likely to need; for more guests, one larger pack may be more practical. Around 10% of consumers would consider quantity first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming premium packaging means higher quality
Dark chocolate sprinkle varieties can differ in cocoa percentage, ingredients and pack size. A name or the packaging alone won’t tell you which variety suits your guests’ tastes and requirements.
Compare the specific information on the packs you’re considering rather than judging by appearance alone.
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Checking only the chocolate sprinkles for a gluten-free treat
According to the Voedingscentrum, rusks may contain gluten. So gluten-free chocolate sprinkles don’t automatically make the whole combination gluten-free.
Check each product separately for suitability, and take care to avoid contact with other products when preparing and serving them.
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Assuming every variety in a sample selection is the same
A pack containing different varieties gives guests a choice, but the ingredients and allergens may vary between them.
If you’re serving a selection to guests with dietary requirements, read the information for each variety first.
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Using a higher cocoa percentage as a measure of nutritional value
A cocoa percentage doesn’t tell you everything about nutritional value. The Voedingscentrum also highlights the sugar and saturated fat content of chocolate sprinkles.
For nutritional information, compare the details per 100 g or per portion on the products themselves.
Brands and product ranges compared
Compare specific varieties: differences within a brand can matter just as much as differences between brands for this treat.
De Ruijter
Specials Intens Puur is for anyone looking for a dark variety, while Kleintjes is ideal if you want to serve a selection.
- Albert Heijn states that Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids; the Kleintjes pack listed contains eight individual portions.
- Check the allergens for each variety you choose. The cocoa percentage and format of the selection don’t indicate the quality of the brand as a whole.
Delicata
The Chocolade hagelslag puur variety reviewed is another dark option to compare with intense dark varieties.
- Albert Heijn states that this chocolate sprinkle variety contains at least 43% cocoa solids, uses Fairtrade-certified cocoa and is labelled gluten-free.
- This variety contains milk and lactose. What’s more, a gluten-free label on the chocolate sprinkles says nothing about the rusks.
Venz
The Hagelslag puur variety reviewed is a classic dark option in a 400 g pack.
- Albert Heijn states that this variety contains at least 32% cocoa solids and uses Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa.
- The variety reviewed contains milk and soya and may contain lactose; check the label on the pack you buy.
Bolletje
A relevant choice for the rusk base, with classic and wholemeal varieties among the options.
- Choosing between different types of rusks lets you pick the base separately from the chocolate sprinkles.
- According to the Voedingscentrum, rusks may contain gluten. Check the ingredients and allergens for the specific variety.
Products for chocolate sprinkles and rusks
For rusks with chocolate sprinkles, you can choose each part separately: below, you’ll find a dark chocolate sprinkle option alongside two wholemeal rusk varieties. Choose your combination only after checking the packs against your guests’ requirements.
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De Ruijter Intense Puur dark chocolate sprinkles, 200 g
A dark chocolate sprinkle option if you want to choose the topping separately from the rusks. If guests have allergen requirements, check the latest information about milk and soya; choose the rusks separately.
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Bolletje dark wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces
A wholemeal rusk base if you want guests to choose their chocolate sprinkles separately. Check the pack if guests have requirements relating to gluten or sesame; chocolate sprinkles aren’t included in this product.
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Bolletje wholemeal rusks, 13 pieces
A wholemeal rusk base in a pack of 13 for anyone who wants to put together their own topping. If guests have dietary requirements, check the information about wheat, egg and possible sesame; choose the chocolate sprinkles separately.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘premium’ mean chocolate sprinkles are a better choice with coffee?
No, that label alone won’t tell you which chocolate sprinkles your guests will enjoy. Compare the stated cocoa percentage, ingredients, allergens and pack size of the varieties you’re considering.
Is the treat gluten-free if the chocolate sprinkles are gluten-free?
Not automatically: according to the Voedingscentrum, rusks may contain gluten. Check both products separately for suitability, and take care to avoid contact with other products when serving.
Should I still check for milk and soya in dark chocolate sprinkles?
Yes, ‘dark’ doesn’t rule out those ingredients. The De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur and Venz Hagelslag puur varieties reviewed list milk and soya; always check the latest label for the variety you’re serving.
Can I assume that rusks contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume this without checking. The Voedingscentrum states that baker’s salt isn’t compulsory in bread; check the packaging for the specific rusks or ask the manufacturer.
How should I store chocolate sprinkles after coffee?
Follow the instructions on the pack of the chocolate sprinkles you’ve chosen. The product information for the dark varieties reviewed says to store them in a cool, dry place; check the use-by date too.