Visitors celebrating a birth who want to follow tradition
You’re looking for rusks with aniseed sprinkles, so you’ll need to choose both a rusk base and sprinkles with the aniseed flavour you prefer.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Family shoppers looking to include wholemeal options
You want to pair a celebratory topping with rusks that are actually labelled ‘wholemeal’, and compare the ingredients and fibre content.
Chocolate lovers considering chocolate sprinkles
You may prefer chocolate sprinkles to aniseed sprinkles and want to check the sugar content and allergens in your chosen variety.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you want a wholemeal rusk base. Then choose between the aniseed flavour of traditional sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles, and finally check the packaging of both products.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g. A dark colour or a mix of different flours doesn’t mean the same thing on its own. | If I want to serve wholemeal rusks, I want to know what the base actually contains; around 33% of consumers prioritise this choice. |
| Aniseed sprinkles for a birth | Check that you’re choosing aniseed sprinkles and see which variety and ingredients are listed on the packaging. | For a birth celebration, I want to serve the familiar combination with aniseed sprinkles; this tradition is a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Chocolate sprinkles | Compare the type of chocolate, sugar content on the same nutritional basis, and the allergens listed on the packaging you choose. | If I’m mainly looking for a chocolate flavour, I don’t want to mistake aniseed sprinkles for chocolate sprinkles; this topping choice is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
| Packaging and availability | Consider which pack size suits your occasion and check current availability at the retailer. | When I’m preparing rusks for a group, I want to be able to find a suitable pack; around 20% of consumers give this top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles are the same topping
Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter sprinkles as sugar-coated aniseed. If you’re expecting chocolate, you’ll end up with a different flavour from the one you had in mind.
First decide between aniseed and chocolate; then choose the colour or variety of topping.
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Assuming that dark or multigrain means wholemeal
According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘wholemeal’ means that all the flour used is wholemeal. The colour of a rusk is no substitute for this.
Read the product description and ingredients, and compare fibre on the same basis, for example per 100 g.
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Checking allergens only on a general product page
Rusks and toppings can contain different allergens depending on the exact variety. Information for one product doesn’t automatically apply to another.
Check the packaging of both the rusks and the topping just before use.
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Assuming all rusks are made with baker’s salt
The Voedingscentrum states that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t assume that a rusk is made with it just because of the type of product.
If you want to know which salt is used in a specific product, check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer.
Brands to consider
De Ruijter
A brand to consider for sprinkles to serve with rusks.
- Albert Heijn describes De Ruijter’s pink and white sprinkles as sugar-coated aniseed.
- This product lists wheat and cereals containing gluten; check the packaging you choose rather than assuming the same applies to all De Ruijter products.
Venz
A brand to consider if you’d prefer chocolate sprinkles to aniseed sprinkles.
- Albert Heijn’s product information states that Venz XXL dark chocolate sprinkles contain at least 32% cocoa solids.
- This variety lists milk and soya. Check the label again if you choose a different Venz variety.
Bolletje
A rusk brand to consider if a wholemeal base is important to you.
- Albert Heijn lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g for Bolletje Vezelrijk boeren beschuit volkoren.
- This variety contains wheat, oats, barley and sesame, among other ingredients; check the allergens for each product you choose.
Jumbo
A supermarket own-brand option for plain or wholemeal rusks and different types of chocolate sprinkles.
- Jumbo states that its wholemeal rusks contain 7,7 g of fibre per 100 g.
- These rusks list wheat, egg and barley, among other ingredients. Check the variety and current availability.
ALDI
A retailer to consider for plain and wholemeal rusks.
- ALDI Netherlands lists both types of rusks in its range overview.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and availability for the pack you want to buy.
Lidl
A retailer to consider for dark chocolate sprinkles.
- Lidl lists Mister Choc Hagelslag puur in a 600 g pack.
- The product page states that it’s sold in store; check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Rusks and toppings on Joybuy
These products help you put together your own combination: four toppings to choose between aniseed and chocolate, and one wholemeal rusk base. Toppings and rusks are sold separately.
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De Ruijter Intense dark chocolate sprinkles, 200 g
For anyone who’d like to choose chocolate sprinkles instead of aniseed sprinkles; choose your rusk base separately.
200 g pack. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients for this variety on the packaging.
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De Ruijter pink aniseed sprinkles, 330 g
For the traditional combination with aniseed sprinkles at a birth celebration; choose your rusk base separately.
330 g pack. Check the ingredients and allergens for this variety.
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g'woon dark chocolate sprinkles, 400 g
For anyone who’d like to use dark chocolate sprinkles as a topping; choose your rusks separately.
400 g pack. If you have an allergy, read the packaging for the variety you choose.
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De Ruijter dark chocolate sprinkles, 390 g
A chocolate topping for anyone who prefers chocolate sprinkles to aniseed sprinkles; rusks are a separate choice.
390 g pack. Compare the ingredients for this variety if the chocolate content or allergens matter to you.
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Bolletje dark wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces
A wholemeal rusk base for anyone who wants to choose their own aniseed or chocolate sprinkles afterwards.
Pack of 10. Check the ingredients and allergens for these rusks; the topping is sold separately.
Frequently asked questions
Are rusks with aniseed sprinkles the same as rusks with chocolate sprinkles?
No. The sprinkles Albert Heijn describes for De Ruijter are sugar-coated aniseed; chocolate sprinkles are a different topping. Choose according to the flavour and occasion you have in mind.
Does a mix of white and wholemeal flour automatically count as wholemeal?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, a product can only be called ‘wholemeal’ if all the flour used is wholemeal. If it’s a mix, check the product description and ingredients.
Do I need to check the allergens in both the rusks and the topping?
Yes, check both packs separately. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on labels; which allergens are present depends on the products you choose.
Does every rusk contain iodine-enriched baker’s salt?
You can’t assume that. The Voedingscentrum states that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer which salt is used in a specific rusk.
How should I store rusks, aniseed sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles?
Follow the storage instructions on each product’s packaging. The De Ruijter sprinkles reviewed here should be stored in a dry place; the Venz chocolate sprinkles reviewed here should be stored in a cool, dry place.