Gift-givers who want to offer something sweet too
They’re looking for a biscuit gift to have with coffee or as a finishing touch, alongside the savoury nibbles rather than on the platter of savoury snacks.
Who is a sweet gift for drinks suited to?
Speculaas works well as a separate little gift to enjoy with coffee, or as a biscuit for later. If you need savoury nibbles, choose those separately.
Hosts with several guests
They want to match the amount to the number of people. The number of biscuits, portions or individual bags is often more useful for this than the weight alone.
Gift-givers who want to present their gift nicely
They’re looking for a tin or a pack with a gift card. If sending it directly, the delivery options and the label on the product you choose are important too.
What should you look for in the packaging?
When choosing speculaas as a gift for drinks, first decide whether you want to cater to the recipient, share it, hand out individual portions or give a gift that makes an impression. Then choose the size: a large pack, portion bags and a gift tin each meet different practical needs.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and labelling | Read the ingredients, any highlighted allergens, possible ‘may contain’ warnings and best-before information on the pack you choose. | If I’m giving speculaas to someone with a food allergy, I want to be able to check exactly what’s in that product. Around 29% of consumers put checking the label first. |
| Enough to share | Compare the net weight with the stated number of biscuits or portions; these figures don’t mean the same thing. | When guests come over, I want to have enough biscuits to put out without relying on the size of the pack alone. Around 29% of consumers give sharing with a group the most consideration. |
| Handing out individual portions | Check the number of bags and how many biscuits are in each one. | For a thank-you after drinks, I want to be able to give everyone an individual portion. This is the most important consideration for around 18% of consumers. |
| Gift presentation | Look at the packaging and contents, and check whether you can add a gift card. If it’s being sent, check the delivery options too. | If I’m giving or sending the gift directly, I want it to look like a present. Around 24% of consumers consider presentation the most important factor. |
Common mistakes
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Buying speculaas for the savoury platter
Thommes Frites describes bittergarnituur as small savoury bites. A sweet biscuit gift can go alongside them, but it doesn’t provide those savoury snacks.
Save the speculaas for coffee or as a finishing touch, and choose your savoury nibbles separately.
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Relying on the brand name or packaging when someone has an allergy
The relevant allergens depend on the product you choose. For the Lotus Biscoff and Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas varieties mentioned here, it’s worth checking for wheat, soya and possible nut warnings, among other things.
If someone has an allergy or intolerance, read the current label on the actual pack you’re giving them, including any ‘may contain’ warnings.
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Comparing weight alone
A pack for sharing and bags for handing out are not used in the same way. Jumbo says that Lotus Biscoff 250 g contains around 32 biscuits, while Lotus Biscoff XL 2P x 10 contains ten bags with two biscuits each.
First work out how many people will get a biscuit, and whether you’ll serve them at the table or give them out individually.
Brands and retailers to consider
These examples show the types of packaging you can compare. A retailer alone can’t tell you whether a specific product is suitable for the recipient.
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Bakeries lists both standard packs and individually portioned packs in its speculoos range.
- Jumbo lists around 32 biscuits in the 250 g variety, and ten bags of two biscuits each in XL 2P x 10.
- If you have allergies to consider, check the ingredients and allergens for the variety you choose on the current packaging.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s range includes AH Bakkers Speculaas in a 600 g pack and Lotus Biscoff packs.
- The different types and sizes give you a starting point for comparing a larger pack with a smaller gift.
- Check the individual product packaging for the ingredients, allergens and contents of the variety you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists Bakkers Speculaas in a 600 g pack, speculaas chunks in a 375 g pack and Lotus packs, among other products.
- For Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas 600 g, Jumbo lists around 48 portions; the retailer also shows a box of 300 Lotus biscuits.
- The Jumbo own-brand products mentioned contain wheat or gluten and may contain almonds or nuts. Check the label for the product you choose.
Lidl
Lidl lists 600 g Bakkers speculaas as an in-store product, a size to consider if you want to share.
- The stated pack size makes it possible to compare packaging quantities.
- Check the label in store before choosing this product for someone with a food allergy.
HollandWinkel
HollandWinkel lists a speculaas tin containing 380 g, wrapped in cellophane, with the option to add a gift card.
- A tin with a gift card is a good choice when presentation matters more than handing out set portions.
- Check the product information for the recipient, and make sure the delivery option suits when you plan to give the gift.
Speculoos for a sweet treat in its own right
This Lotus Biscoff pack of speculoos biscuits is suitable for a separate sweet moment while you’re having drinks, for example with coffee. It’s a standard biscuit pack for sharing, not a savoury platter or a gift tin.
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Lotus Biscoff speculoos biscuits 250 g
Ideal to serve as a sweet biscuit in its own right with coffee, alongside savoury nibbles.
The pack contains 250 g; Jumbo lists around 32 biscuits for Lotus Biscoff 250 g.
If you have allergies to consider, check the current packaging for wheat, soya and any ‘may contain’ warnings. For a gift, make sure a standard biscuit pack is suitable for the occasion.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put speculaas on a savoury snack platter?
Not as a substitute for the usual savoury bites: Thommes Frites describes bittergarnituur as an assortment of small savoury snacks. It’s better to serve speculaas separately, for example with coffee after drinks.
Which size should I choose for several guests?
Choose based on the number of people and how you’ll serve the biscuits, not just the weight. Jumbo lists around 32 biscuits for Lotus Biscoff 250 g and around 48 portions for Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas 600 g. Check which quantity is right for your gathering.
Which speculoos pack can I hand out individually?
Individual bags are handy when you want everyone to have a set portion. According to Jumbo, Lotus Biscoff XL 2P x 10 contains ten bags with two biscuits each. Check that the quantity suits the number of people you’re giving them to.
What should I check if the recipient has a food allergy?
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the specific product you’re giving, even if you already know the brand. Also read any ‘may contain’ warnings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the importance of allergen information in preventing allergic reactions.
How should I store speculaas once it’s been opened?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. For Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas, Jumbo recommends storing it in a cool, dry place and keeping it in an airtight biscuit tin once opened.