If Fairtrade cocoa matters to you
You want to be able to see on the specific packet whether the cocoa was sourced under Fairtrade terms, rather than relying on a brand’s or shop’s general promise.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you’re buying for a large group of coffee guests
You’re looking for biscuits you can serve straight away, and packaging that tells you how many there are so you can plan for the group.
If you’re catering for allergies or dietary requirements
You’ll need to check the ingredients and any warnings about the possible presence of allergens. A vegan label does not mean a biscuit is allergen-free.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether Fairtrade cocoa is a must-have. Then compare the serving format and number of portions, and check the current packaging for any guests with allergies or dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Fairtrade cocoa | Look for the Fairtrade mark or an explicit cocoa statement on the specific packet. Fairtrade International and Milieu Centraal explain that an ingredient label may apply only to the certified ingredient; if so, read the explanation on the packaging too. | I want to know exactly what the Fairtrade statement applies to before serving something with coffee. Verifiable Fairtrade cocoa is a priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Serving format and quantity | Compare the number of biscuits or portions, not just the weight. Albert Heijn lists around 32 biscuits for Lotus Biscoff Speculoos (250 g); ALDI lists 48 biscuits for Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas (600 g). | For a large group, I want to be able to hand out enough individual biscuits without having to divide up a treat. Having enough pieces and being able to serve them easily are the main priorities for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the current packet. A vegan label does not replace these checks. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what I can safely serve them. Allergens and dietary requirements take priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Pitfalls to avoid when buying
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Confusing a brand promise with a certification mark on the packet
A shop’s Fairtrade range does not tell you whether every individual product is certified. And for chocolate made with several ingredients, a Fairtrade statement may apply specifically to the cocoa.
Check the mark and the explanation on the packaging of the exact variant you’re buying.
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Assuming vegan means allergen-free
Albert Heijn lists Lotus Biscoff Speculoos as suitable for vegans, while the product information also lists wheat and soya. Verkade Hart melk speculaas lists milk, soya and wheat, among other ingredients.
Ask which ingredients your guests need to avoid, then check both the allergen information and any warnings about possible traces on the packet.
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Counting chocolate with speculaas as individual biscuits
Verkade Hart melk speculaas is a chocolate product with speculaas; the product listing consulted gives 5.5 portions per pack. That’s a different way to serve it from a packet containing dozens of individual biscuits.
Decide how many guests you want to cater for, then choose based on the stated number of biscuits or portions.
Brands to consider
Verkade
If you’d like to serve chocolate with speculaas, Albert Heijn lists the wording ‘FairTrade COCOA’ for Verkade Hart melk speculaas 135 g. Check the packet to see what this statement applies to.
- The product listing gives you a specific point to check when verifying the Fairtrade cocoa.
- This is chocolate with speculaas, not a packet of individual biscuits. The listed variant contains milk, soya and wheat; also check for warnings about possible traces of allergens.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Bakeries presents Original Speculoos as a biscuit to enjoy with coffee. For the 250 g pack, Albert Heijn lists around 32 biscuits.
- The stated number of individual biscuits helps you plan for your coffee morning.
- A vegan label does not mean the biscuits are free from wheat or soya. If Fairtrade is a must, check this separately on the current packaging.
Biscotto
For a larger group, ALDI lists a 600 g pack of Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas containing 48 biscuits.
- The stated number of biscuits makes it easier to work out how much you’ll need for your guests.
- If Fairtrade is a must, check the label on this specific packet; the shop’s Fairtrade range does not automatically tell you anything about this speculaas.
Joybuy products for this topic
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
How can I identify Fairtrade cocoa in chocolate with speculaas?
Check the Fairtrade mark or an explicit cocoa statement on the current packaging. Fairtrade International and Milieu Centraal explain that an ingredient label may apply to a certified ingredient, rather than automatically covering the whole product. Albert Heijn lists ‘FairTrade COCOA’ for Verkade Hart melk speculaas.
For a large coffee morning, should I choose individual biscuits or chocolate with speculaas?
Individual biscuits are easier to count out for each guest. Albert Heijn lists around 32 biscuits for Lotus Biscoff Speculoos (250 g), while ALDI lists 48 for Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas (600 g). Verkade Hart melk speculaas is chocolate with speculaas, so check the stated number of portions to see whether that serving format suits your group.
Which allergens should I check before serving speculaas?
Check the ingredients, allergens and warnings about possible traces on every packet you serve. For Verkade Hart melk speculaas, Albert Heijn lists milk, soya and wheat, among other ingredients; for Lotus Biscoff Speculoos, it lists wheat and soya. A vegan label does not make a product allergen-free.
How should I store chocolate with speculaas until the coffee morning?
For Verkade Hart melk speculaas, Albert Heijn advises storing it in a cool, dry, dark place. Also check the best-before date and storage instructions on the packaging you buy.