Travellers bringing a crunchy snack
Rusks are a good choice if you want to put together a dry snack for your train journey. A sturdy, sealed tin helps protect the crisp rusks while you’re travelling.
Which base is right for you?
Travellers who prefer bread
If you’re after a more substantial bread snack, you can pair chocolate sprinkles with sourdough bread. According to the Voedingscentrum, sourdough bread is made with a sourdough starter rather than baker’s yeast.
Shoppers checking ingredients
Ingredients can vary between rusks, bread and chocolate sprinkles. Check both packs for any allergens that matter to you. If it’s important to your choice, ask whether baker’s salt has been used in the bread; according to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use it.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a crisp snack or a more substantial bread snack for your journey. Then consider how you’ll pack the base and check the ingredients in both the base and the topping.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Transport and breakage | Check whether you can carry your rusks in a sturdy, sealable tin, and keep the topping separate until you’re ready to eat. | If I’m carrying rusks in my bag, my main concern is stopping them from breaking and the chocolate sprinkles from spilling. For around 42% of consumers, avoiding breakage in transit is the top priority. |
| Texture and a bread snack | Choose between the crisp texture of rusks and bread made with a sourdough starter; check the ingredients if you have a particular loaf in mind. | If you prefer bread while travelling, you’re probably looking for a more substantial base rather than crisp rusks. This is the most important consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and baker’s salt | Check the labels on both the base and the topping for any allergens that matter to you. For bread, check the label or ask the baker whether baker’s salt has been used. | If I need to consider certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in both the topping and the base, and whether the bread contains baker’s salt. For around 33% of consumers, this check is their top buying priority. |
Common mistakes when choosing and packing
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Assuming ordinary rusks contain sourdough
Albert Heijn lists wheat flour and yeast in AH Beschuit naturel. According to the Voedingscentrum, sourdough bread is made with a sourdough starter rather than baker’s yeast.
If you specifically want sourdough, look for it in the ingredients or product description of the base you’re buying.
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Choosing the topping on flavour alone
Albert Heijn lists milk and soya in De Ruijter Chocoladehagel puur. The rusk base may also contain ingredients you need to consider.
Before buying, check the current labels on both the chocolate sprinkles and the rusks or bread.
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Expecting every loaf to contain baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s been used just from the type of bread, even with artisan or organic loaves.
Check the label or ask the baker whether baker’s salt has been used in the bread.
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Putting rusks loose in your bag
Crisp rusks can break and leave crumbs. Albert Heijn recommends storing opened packs of AH Beschuit naturel in a sealed tin.
Carry your rusks in a sturdy, sealable tin and add the topping just before eating. NS asks passengers to put their rubbish in the bin.
Brands to explore
De Ruijter
Worth exploring if you want to compare different varieties of dark chocolate sprinkles.
- Albert Heijn lists at least 43% cocoa solids for Royaal extra puur and at least 52% for Specials Intens Puur.
- Albert Heijn lists milk and soya in the varieties mentioned. Check the label of the variety you choose.
Venz
Another chocolate sprinkles brand to consider if you’re looking for a dark variety.
- Albert Heijn describes Venz Hagelslag puur as chocolate sprinkles.
- Compare the ingredients and nutritional information on the current pack of the variety you choose.
Albert Heijn
Worth considering if you’re thinking of using rusks as the base for your own combination.
- The AH Beschuit naturel product page lists a pack size of 125 g.
- According to the product page, the rusks contain wheat, rye and egg, and may also contain other allergens. Check the current label.
Toppings and extras on Joybuy
You can pair these chocolate sprinkles and other toppings with rusks or sourdough bread of your choice, and pack them yourself. Check the product format: chocolate chunks and a mix of flakes aren’t the same as plain chocolate sprinkles.
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De Ruijter Intense Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 200 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for rusks or bread of your choice. The pack contains 200 g; check the current label for milk and soya if these ingredients are relevant to you.
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De Ruijter Hail Chocolate Pure 390 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for a base you bring yourself. The pack contains 390 g; check the current label for milk and soya if these ingredients are relevant to you.
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g'woon Pure Chocolate Sprinkles 400 g
Dark chocolate sprinkles for rusks or bread you choose separately. The pack contains 400 g; check the current label for milk and possible traces of wheat.
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De Ruijter Chocolate Chunks 390 g
A chocolate topping for a base of your choice. The pack contains 390 g; check that the format is what you’re looking for, and read the label for milk and soya.
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De Ruijter Flake Feast 200 g
A mix of chocolate and vanilla flakes for anyone who isn’t looking for plain chocolate sprinkles. The pack contains 200 g; check the current label for wheat, soya and possible traces of milk.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bear in mind when eating rusks with chocolate sprinkles on an NS train?
Pack your rusks so they’re protected, and add the topping when you’re ready to eat to reduce crumbs and spilled chocolate sprinkles. NS asks passengers to put their rubbish in the bin.
Is sourdough bread automatically wholemeal?
No. The term sourdough doesn’t tell you which flour has been used. According to the Voedingscentrum, sourdough bread is made with a sourdough starter rather than baker’s yeast. Check the label to find out which flour has been used, or ask the baker.
Do bakers in the Netherlands have to use baker’s salt?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. For packaged bread, check the label or ask the baker whether it has been used.
How should I store rusks and chocolate sprinkles for a train journey?
Keep opened rusks dry in a sealed tin and follow the storage instructions on the chocolate sprinkles pack. Pack them separately and top the rusks just before eating.