Who are these biscuits suitable for?

Hosts looking for a classic festive biscuit

You want a spiced biscuit for guests to enjoy with coffee or tea, or to serve on a dessert table. For larger gatherings, check how many biscuits are in each pack.

Buffet planners comparing speculaas and digestives

You’re looking for a less spiced biscuit to serve alongside speculaas and want to compare the fibre content of specific products. The name ‘digestive’ alone is no reason to expect an effect on digestion.

Hosts catering for guests with allergies

You want to check the ingredients and allergens in each biscuit for any guests concerned, whether it is labelled gluten-free and what warnings about possible cross-contamination appear on the packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the Boxing Day buffet calls for the flavour of speculaas or a comparison with digestives. Then check the current packaging for allergen information and the quantity you want to serve.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Classic speculaas flavour Check the type of biscuit and the number of biscuits or portions in each pack. I want to serve a familiar, spiced biscuit with coffee that guests can easily help themselves to. For around 36% of consumers, this flavour comes first.
Fibre and ‘digestives’ Compare fibre per 100 g and per portion; don’t infer any effect from the product name. If I’m also serving a less spiced biscuit, I want to compare the fibre content of specific products. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this comparison.
Gluten and other allergens Read the ingredients, allergen information and warnings about possible cross-contamination; check for a gluten-free label if needed. If a guest needs to avoid gluten or another allergen, I want to know exactly which biscuit I can offer them. For around 21% of consumers, this suitability is the main concern.
Practical serving Compare the quantity in each pack and read the storage instructions. I want to have enough biscuits ready without leaving an opened pack out for too long. Serving is the biggest consideration for around 14% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Taking ‘digestive’ as a promise about digestion

    A product name does not prove that it has a particular effect. Jumbo states that McVitie's Digestives Melkchocolade biscuits do not contain substances that aid digestion.

    Choose based on the flavour, ingredients and nutritional information of the specific biscuit. Compare fibre on the same basis, for example per 100 g.

  • Confusing gluten-free with free from all allergens

    According to Jumbo, Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas contains egg and may also contain other allergens. Schär Digestive Landtaler Glutenvrij contains soya.

    Check the current packaging for the guest concerned, and clearly label the different biscuits on the buffet.

  • Treating a small speculaas biscuit and filled speculaas as the same portion

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives figures of 33 kcal for a 7 g speculaas biscuit and 175 kcal for a large 40 g piece of filled speculaas. These are different types of biscuit and different portion sizes.

    Decide which type you’re serving and compare the nutritional information for an appropriate portion, rather than just per biscuit.

  • Using an online product listing as a shopping plan

    Product ranges and stock can change before you buy the biscuits for Boxing Day.

    Check that the variety you want is available shortly before buying, and read the use-by or best-before date on the packaging.

Brands compared

Lotus Biscoff

Caramelised speculoos to enjoy with coffee or tea, or as part of a dessert. The foodservice pack described by Lotus Biscoff contains four 250 g sleeves.

  • According to Lotus Biscoff’s own product information, the biscuit reviewed has a vegan recipe.
  • The product reviewed contains wheat and soya; check the current packaging for guests with allergies.

Albert Heijn

AH Bakkers Speculaas comes in a 600 g pack, suitable for a larger coffee or tea gathering.

  • Albert Heijn labels the variety reviewed as vegan and lactose-free.
  • The speculaas contains wheat flour and may contain almonds. Check the current packaging if allergens are a concern.

Jumbo

The products reviewed include bakers’ speculaas, wholemeal digestives and a separate gluten-free speculaas variety.

  • According to Jumbo, the Digestive Volkoren reviewed contains 5,8 g of fibre per 100 g; the Bakkers Speculaas comes in a 600 g pack.
  • The gluten-free speculaas reviewed contains egg and may contain other allergens. Check each variety individually.

Biscotto (ALDI)

ALDI describes Biscotto Bakkersspeculaas as a 600 g pack containing 48 biscuits.

  • The stated number of biscuits helps you plan portions for the buffet.
  • Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging in store before choosing this variety for specific guests.

Lidl

Lidl describes its bakers’ speculaas as crisp speculaas biscuits in a 600 g pack.

  • Lidl lists this variety as an in-store product.
  • Check the current packaging in store for ingredients, allergens and the use-by or best-before date.

Speculaas for your buffet on Joybuy

If you’re opting for classic bakers’ speculaas, compare this pack with the number of guests and the other biscuits on your buffet. Always check the current product packaging for allergen information.

De Ruiter Bakers Speculaas, 450 g pack

De Ruiter Bakers Speculaas, 450 g

A bakers’ speculaas to consider as a classic biscuit for your buffet. Adjust the quantity to suit the number of guests and check the current packaging for allergen information.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Are digestives automatically better for digestion than speculaas?

No, the name ‘digestive’ does not prove any benefit for digestion. Jumbo states that McVitie's Digestives Melkchocolade biscuits do not contain substances that aid digestion. Compare the nutritional information for the specific products if fibre matters for your buffet.

When should I choose speculaas and when should I choose digestives for the buffet?

Choose bakers’ speculaas if you want to serve a spiced biscuit with coffee, tea or dessert. Wholemeal digestives are a good choice if you’d also like to offer a less spiced biscuit and compare fibre content; Jumbo states that its Digestive Volkoren contains 5,8 g of fibre per 100 g.

Can I serve gluten-free speculaas to every guest with an allergy?

No, a gluten-free label does not mean that a biscuit is free from other allergens. According to Jumbo, the Jumbo Lekker Vrij van Gluten Speculaas reviewed contains egg and may also contain milk, nuts and sesame. Check the current packaging for the allergens the guest concerned needs to avoid.

How should I store the biscuits until the buffet?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the biscuits you choose. For McVitie's Digestive Original, Joybuy’s product information recommends storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture; seal opened packs tightly.