Who is this choice relevant to?

Holiday brunch fans

Want to choose a high-quality chocolate sprinkle for a special brunch. The stated cocoa content and pack size provide more guidance than the brand name alone, although taste is still a matter of personal preference.

Families catering for themselves

Are looking for breakfast for several people and want to avoid having lots of rusks or chocolate sprinkles left over after a short stay. Pack size and ingredients are important considerations.

Label-conscious holidaymakers

Want to check the ingredients and allergens in their chosen varieties, or compare the nutritional information for rusks and chocolate sprinkles as part of their breakfast choices.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide who’ll be having breakfast and what matters most to them: the flavour of the chocolate sprinkles, a suitable quantity or the information on the label.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Choosing dark chocolate sprinkles Compare the stated cocoa content of the specific varieties and read the ingredients. If I want to make a holiday brunch feel special, I look for a dark variety that suits my taste. This flavour choice would be the main reason for around 40% of consumers.
Quantity and convenience Check the number of rusks and the size of the chocolate sprinkles pack; for a ready-made option, check current availability. For a short stay with several people, I want to buy enough without having lots left over. This planning would be the priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and nutritional information Read the allergen information for both products and, if you wish, compare fibre and sugar figures on the same stated basis, such as per 100 g. If ingredients are the deciding factor in my breakfast choices, I want to be able to check the exact products. This would be the main consideration for around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Judging ‘premium’ by the brand name alone

    A brand name or higher cocoa content isn’t an independent assessment of flavour. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids, while Venz Hagelslag Puur contains at least 32%; this distinction applies to these varieties.

    Compare the ingredients and choose a pack size that suits the number of breakfasts during your stay.

  • Counting on a ready-made combination

    Jumbo says on its product page that Jumbo Beschuit met Hagelslag Melk is no longer part of its online range. This means this particular product isn’t a reliable option for your shopping list.

    Check what’s available just before you leave, and consider buying rusks and chocolate sprinkles separately as an alternative.

  • Guessing the allergens based on the brand

    Ingredients can vary between varieties. Albert Heijn’s product information lists milk and soya in De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur; De Ruijter Hagelfeest also lists wheat and cereals containing gluten.

    Read the allergen information on the pack of the variety you’re actually buying, and check the rusks too.

  • Assuming all bread is made with baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. What applies to bread doesn’t automatically apply to the rusks you choose, either.

    If you want to know whether a bread product contains baker’s salt, check the label or ask the baker.

Relevant brands and shops

De Ruijter

A brand to consider if you’re looking for a specific dark chocolate sprinkle variety for a holiday brunch.

  • Albert Heijn’s product page states that Specials Intens Puur contains at least 52% cocoa solids and comes in a 200 g pack.
  • This percentage doesn’t tell you how everyone will find the flavour; check the ingredients and allergens for this variety too.

Venz

A brand to compare if several people on holiday will be eating dark chocolate sprinkles.

  • Albert Heijn lists Venz Hagelslag Puur in a 400 g pack, with at least 32% cocoa solids.
  • You may have some left over after a short stay; be sure to read the allergen information for this variety too.

Albert Heijn

A shop with a range that lets you compare own-brand and other chocolate sprinkle varieties side by side.

  • The chocolate sprinkles range includes varieties with different pack sizes and ingredients.
  • Check which varieties are available when you’re shopping and read the current label.

Jumbo

A shop where you can browse chocolate sprinkles separately, as well as check whether a ready-made combination is available.

  • Jumbo’s chocolate sprinkles range includes own-brand varieties.
  • Jumbo says Jumbo Beschuit met Hagelslag Melk is no longer part of its online range; check whether a combination is available before counting on it.

Products for a breakfast with separate rusks and chocolate sprinkles

These products are suited to a breakfast where you choose dark chocolate sprinkles and rusks separately. The rusk products aren’t ready-made combinations with chocolate sprinkles.

De Ruijter Intense Pure dark chocolate sprinkles, 200 g

De Ruijter Intense Pure dark chocolate sprinkles, 200 g

For anyone who wants to pair separate dark chocolate sprinkles with their choice of rusks. The pack contains 200 g; check the ingredients and allergens on the current label.

View at Joybuy
Bolletje Dark Whole Wheat wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces

Bolletje Dark Whole Wheat wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces

A wholemeal rusk base if you want to choose your chocolate sprinkles separately. The pack contains 10 pieces; check the label on these rusks for ingredients and allergens.

View at Joybuy
Bolletje Wholegrain wholemeal rusks, 13 pieces

Bolletje Wholegrain wholemeal rusks, 13 pieces

For breakfast with wholemeal rusks and separately purchased chocolate sprinkles. The pack contains 13 pieces; only compare fibre figures if the pack clearly states whether they’re per 100 g or per serving.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘premium’ tell you anything about the nutritional value of chocolate sprinkles?

No, that description doesn’t tell you about the nutritional value of a variety. Compare the nutritional information, such as sugar per 100 g, and check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you choose.

Is Dutch bread always made with iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. Check the label or ask the baker if you want to know what salt was used in a particular loaf; don’t assume the same applies to rusks.

How should I store chocolate sprinkles in a holiday cottage?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal it well after use. Joybuy states that De Ruijter Chocoladehagelslag Puur 390 g should be stored in a cool, dry place, away from heat, direct sunlight and moisture.

Which allergens should I check in chocolate sprinkles?

It depends on the exact variety. Albert Heijn lists milk and soya in De Ruijter Specials Intens Puur; wheat and cereals containing gluten are also listed for De Ruijter Hagelfeest. Read the labels on both the chocolate sprinkles and the rusks you choose.

How do I compare the fibre in regular and wholemeal rusks?

Compare quantities on the same basis, as the weight of each piece can also vary. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives average figures of 0.6 g of fibre for a 20 g plain rusk and 0.8 g for a 10 g wholemeal rusk; check the nutritional information on the pack for your own choice.