Coffee-break treat seekers
Looking for a crisp biscuit to enjoy with your coffee or tea, without turning it into a pastry break? Lotus Biscoff describes its biscuit as crisp and ideal with coffee; you can choose the portion that suits you.
Which type is right for you?
Fans of filled speculaas
If you prefer a soft filling or almond paste, filled speculaas could be a good choice. Compare the portion size and check the allergen information for the product you choose.
Portion and label comparers
If you want to fit speculaas into the rest of what you eat during the day, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that people look at different nutrients when choosing a snack.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re after a single biscuit, a filled pastry or something to share. Then consider how much you actually want to eat and check the label for that particular variety.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and texture | Decide whether you want a crisp biscuit, a chunk or filled speculaas; check the ingredients if you choose an almond variety. | If I’m craving a filling or a crunchy biscuit, that texture is what guides my choice. It’s the main priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Portion and serving | Compare the pack weight with the number of biscuits or the stated portion size in grams. | For a short coffee break, I want to be able to take a clearly defined amount easily; that’s the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information | Compare energy, sugars, saturated fat and fibre per 100 g and, where possible, per portion. | If I want to know how my snack fits in with what else I eat, I look beyond the front of the pack. Nutritional comparisons are the main focus for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the latest ingredients list and allergen information on the pack, even if you’ve bought the product before. | If certain ingredients aren’t suitable for me, I need to be able to identify the right product. This check is the top priority for around 10% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘luxury’ as a nutritional assessment
A filling or an artisanal look won’t tell you how much sugar, saturated fat or fibre a product contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also notes that the snack qualities people care about vary from person to person.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g, then use the portion details on the pack to work out what your portion contains.
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Assuming all speculaas contains the same allergens
The filled speculaas from Albert Heijn and almond chunks from Jumbo that we looked at have different ingredients and allergens. The product name alone isn’t a reliable way to choose a variety.
Every time you buy, check the latest ingredients list and allergen information on that exact pack.
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Assuming a shop listing means a product is always available
ALDI’s filled speculaas is part of a special range; Lidl lists the bakers’ speculaas we looked at as available in store only.
Check current availability with the shop before choosing that particular variety.
Brands and shops to consider
Lotus Biscoff
Lotus Bakeries presents Biscoff as a crisp biscuit that’s ideal for occasions such as a coffee break.
- A single-biscuit option if you’re not looking for a filled pastry.
- Check the nutritional information and ingredients on the pack you choose; the flavour description comes from the brand.
Albert Heijn
The range shown includes speculaas chunks and filled speculaas.
- The almond paste variety is an option if you’re specifically looking for a filling.
- Check the portion, ingredients and allergens for each variety; Albert Heijn says product information may change.
Jumbo
The products we looked at include bakers’ speculaas and speculaas chunks with almonds.
- The 450 g packs are worth considering if you want to share speculaas or help yourself to a few pieces.
- According to Jumbo, the almond chunks we looked at contain ingredients including almonds, gluten and wheat; check the label of the variety you choose.
ALDI
ALDI lists a two-pack of filled speculaas with almonds and banketspijs.
- Two 250 g packs could be suitable if you want to share filled speculaas.
- The product is part of a special range, so check current availability.
Lidl
Lidl lists crisp bakers’ speculaas biscuits in a 600 g pack.
- The larger pack is an option if you want to share the biscuits.
- Lidl lists this product as available in store only; check the label there too.
Speculaas and speculaas-flavoured snacks on Joybuy
This selection ranges from speculaas biscuits for a quick break to a larger pack to share. The speculaas-flavoured bar is a different kind of snack: it isn’t a speculaas biscuit or filled speculaas.
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Hellema Smoeltjes Speculaas, 8 pieces, 200 g
A biscuit option for anyone who fancies speculaas with their morning coffee. The pack contains 8 biscuits and weighs 200 g; check the label for nutritional and allergen information relevant to the portion you choose.
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De Ruiter Bakers Speculaas, 450 g
A larger pack for anyone who wants to share bakers’ speculaas or help themselves to a portion. The pack weighs 450 g; decide how much you’ll have before comparing nutritional values per portion.
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Holie's Chewy Bar Almond Speculaas, 3 × 35 g
An almond and speculaas-flavoured bar for anyone who would rather take a bar with them than eat a biscuit. The pack contains 3 bars of 35 g; this snack doesn’t have the shape or texture of traditional speculaas. Check the latest allergen information.
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g'woon Almond Speculaas, 400 g
Speculaas with almonds for anyone who enjoys that combination with coffee or tea. The pack weighs 400 g; check the portion size, ingredients and allergens on the label before choosing this variety.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose a biscuit or filled speculaas with my morning coffee?
Choose a crisp biscuit if you want something small with your coffee; go for filled speculaas if you prefer a soft filling and a pastry-style snack. Check the portion size and latest label for both, as the type alone won’t tell you what’s inside.
Where can I find allergen information for speculaas?
Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack of the specific product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory labelling of 14 allergens; the allergens listed vary between the speculaas varieties we looked at.
Does ‘luxury’ tell me anything about the nutritional value of speculaas?
No, ‘luxury’ doesn’t indicate a particular nutritional value. Compare the nutritional information for the products you’re considering per 100 g and per portion; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses that what matters to you in a snack can differ from person to person.
Can I always find the ALDI or Lidl speculaas mentioned in store?
Don’t assume these specific products are always available. ALDI lists its filled speculaas in a special range, while Lidl says its bakers’ speculaas is available in store only; check current stock with your local shop.
How should I store speculaas once the pack is open?
Follow the storage advice on the pack you’ve bought. For the filled speculaas we looked at, Albert Heijn recommends keeping it in a sealed tin after opening; storage advice may vary between products.