Who might each option suit?

Fans of classic nibbles

You’re looking for a familiar speculaas biscuit to serve with coffee or tea. If you’re sharing, check the type of biscuit, pack size and number of portions.

Nutrition label comparers

You want to compare the fibre in a 6-grain variety with that in classic speculaas. Take sugar, fat and portion size into account too: fibre content alone doesn’t tell the whole story.

Guests who eat gluten-free

You need a product explicitly labelled gluten-free. Also read the full allergen information, as gluten-free speculaas may contain other allergens.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether taste and sharing, nutritional value or an allergen requirement will guide your choice. Then compare the relevant information on the packaging. The points below are about choosing speculaas to serve with drinks and nibbles.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters most to
Taste and sharing Check whether you’re buying individual biscuits and how many biscuits or portions are in the pack. If I want to serve biscuits with coffee or tea, a familiar speculaas flavour and easy sharing matter most to me. This is the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Nutritional value Compare fibre, sugar and fat per 100 g, and check the portion size. I want to be able to choose between speculaas varieties without relying solely on the name ‘6 grains’. Around 31% of consumers prioritise comparing nutritional information.
Gluten and allergens Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and warnings about possible allergens on the current packaging. If a guest needs to eat gluten-free or avoid another allergen, I want to know exactly what the biscuits contain. This is the main concern for around 23% of consumers.
Where it fits on the snack board Think of speculaas as a biscuit, and decide separately which other products you want to serve. I want to serve speculaas for its flavour, without expecting it to meet my fibre needs or relieve digestive problems. An estimated 15% of consumers put this consideration first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming more grains mean a complete nutritional comparison

    According to Lotus Bakeries, Biscoff 6 Grains contains 4.7 g of fibre and 35.5 g of sugar per 100 g. Fibre content alone therefore doesn’t give you the full nutritional picture for this variety.

    When comparing products, check the sugar and fat content per 100 g too. For other sources of fibre, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists vegetables, fruit, wholegrain products, pulses and nuts, among others.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens

    Jumbo lists egg as an ingredient in its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas and warns that it may contain other allergens. A gluten-free label therefore won’t answer every question about allergens.

    For each guest, check the ingredients and allergen warnings on the pack you’re actually serving.

  • Reading only the front of the pack

    A product name or label on the front won’t show how the fibre, sugar and other nutritional values compare. Ingredients and product information can also change.

    Read the ingredients list and nutritional information on the current packaging before comparing varieties.

Brands and varieties compared

Lotus Biscoff

Lotus Biscoff offers both classic speculoos and a 6-grain variety to compare within the range.

  • According to Lotus Bakeries, Original contains 1.3 g of fibre and 38.1 g of sugar per 100 g; the manufacturer lists 4.7 g of fibre and 35.5 g of sugar per 100 g for 6 Grains.
  • The higher fibre content doesn’t make the 6-grain variety gluten-free. Check the ingredients and allergen information for both varieties too.

Albert Heijn

AH Bakkers speculaas is a classic variety in a 600 g pack, ideal if you want to share biscuits.

  • Albert Heijn lists 1.5 g of fibre and 33 g of sugar per 100 g.
  • The product contains wheat and may contain almonds. Albert Heijn notes that product information can change, so check the packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas is a separate option when you need a product explicitly labelled gluten-free.

  • Jumbo displays the crossed-grain symbol on this variety.
  • According to Jumbo, this variety contains egg and may contain other allergens. Check the current packaging for the guest you’re buying it for.

Speculaas for drinks and nibbles

These two biscuits are worth considering if you’re looking for classic speculaas to serve on a snack board. Check the packaging separately if nutritional value or allergens will determine your choice.

Hellema Smoeltjes speculaas biscuits, 8 pieces, 200 g

Hellema Smoeltjes speculaas biscuits, 8 pieces, 200 g

An option if you’d like to serve speculaas biscuits with drinks and nibbles. To compare fibre and sugar, check the values and serving basis on the packaging.

If you have a food allergy, check the current ingredients and allergen information too.

View on Joybuy
Bolletje Ball of Shaking Bellies Speculaas, 300 g

Bolletje Ball of Shaking Bellies Speculaas, 300 g

A speculaas variety to consider as a biscuit for drinks and nibbles. Before comparing nutritional values, check the packaging to see what the stated amounts are based on.

If you have a food allergy, check the current ingredients and allergen information.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can speculaas help with digestive problems?

Speculaas isn’t a treatment for digestive problems. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends drinking enough, getting fibre from a range of foods and exercising regularly as part of a broader approach to digestion. So choose speculaas as a biscuit, not as a remedy.

Is six-grain speculaas automatically a better choice?

No, not simply because it contains more grains. According to Lotus Bakeries, Biscoff 6 Grains contains 4.7 g of fibre, 35.5 g of sugar and 18.1 g of fat per 100 g. Compare the full nutritional information with the variety you would otherwise choose.

Is speculaas without wheat automatically gluten-free?

No. If you need a gluten-free product, look for an explicit gluten-free label and read the current ingredients and allergen information. Check for other allergens separately: for example, Jumbo lists egg in its Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas.

Which information should I rely on if the product page and packaging differ?

Check the packaging of the product you’re buying, especially for ingredients and allergens. Albert Heijn notes in its product information that ingredients and nutritional values can change.