Choose a large pack if you’ll be serving speculaas in one place repeatedly; choose sealed twin packs if you want to share biscuits as small gifts. A large pack isn’t automatically divided into gift portions, and a twin pack isn’t the same as ready-to-give gift packaging. Before buying, check the best-before date, the condition of the packaging and, where necessary, the label for the exact variety.
You regularly serve speculaas at home, in the office or at a gathering. A large pack works well for a shared supply, as long as you can keep the biscuits properly sealed once opened, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
You want to share biscuits with several people. Sealed twin packs, such as the sizes listed by Lotus Biscoff and Jumbo, are easier to hand out than biscuits from one opened pack.
You’re buying for someone with dietary requirements. Before making a large purchase, read the label for the exact variety, and make sure the product information is available when you hand the biscuits out.
First decide whether you’ll be serving the biscuits from one shared supply or giving them out individually. Then choose the type of speculaas you want and check the label for the variety you’re buying.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Shared supply | Compare the number of biscuits or the net weight, and check whether you can seal the contents properly once opened. | If I often put biscuits out for a group, I want enough for several occasions. Around 33% of consumers prioritise sharing biscuits. |
| Sealed portions to hand out | Count the individual packets and check that the packaging is intact. | For small thank-you gifts, I want to be able to give each person a sealed portion. For around 27% of consumers, individual portions to hand out are the main consideration. |
| Type of speculaas | Choose between loose, crisp biscuits and filled speculaas, and read the ingredients for the variety you’ve chosen. | If I want to give filled speculaas, a dry biscuit for a coffee break won’t fit the bill. For around 20% of consumers, the style of biscuit is the first consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and the allergens stated on the current label. | If I’m buying for someone with dietary requirements, I want to know what’s in the biscuits before sharing them. Around 20% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
A pack with lots of biscuits can be handy for sharing, but the number of biscuits or the pack weight tells you nothing about whether it’s presented as an individual gift.
For small gifts, choose a size with clearly sealed portions and check in advance whether you want to use the outer packaging or put something together yourself.
Individual gifts may need extra bags, ribbon or cards.
Filled speculaas with almonds and almond paste, such as ALDI’s twin pack, is a different product from loose speculoos biscuits. Choosing a suitable pack size doesn’t make the two types interchangeable.
Decide which type of biscuit you want to serve or give away, then compare pack sizes.
According to the product information from Lotus Bakeries Netherlands, Lotus Biscoff Original contains wheat flour and soya flour. Check the ingredients separately for any other variety.
Read the current label for each variety you choose. Keep the relevant ingredients and allergen information available when handing the biscuits out.
ALDI lists its twin pack of filled speculaas as part of its Sinterklaas range and warns that promotional products can sell out quickly.
Check current availability before you need a large quantity of the same pack, and decide which alternative size would suit your needs.
Lotus Bakeries Netherlands lists, among other options, Pocket Pack 8x2 biscuits, XL 10x2 biscuits and Mega Pack 20x2 biscuits. These sizes are worth considering if you’re looking for portions that are already divided up.
Jumbo lists Bakkers Speculaas in a 600 g pack. This gives you a clear point of comparison for a shared supply.
Albert Heijn lists, among other products, AH Bakkers speculaas at 400 g and AH Roomboter speculaas molens at 350 g.
Lidl describes Bakkers speculaas as crisp speculaas biscuits in a 600 g pack, making it a possible choice for a shared supply.
As part of its Sinterklaas range, ALDI lists a twin pack of filled speculaas weighing 2x250 g, with almonds and almond paste.
Store the biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place in a well-sealed container, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Also follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the speculaas you’ve bought.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a best-before date relates to quality and does not automatically mean the food is unsafe. After that date, check an unopened, intact pack by looking at, smelling and tasting the biscuits before deciding whether to give them away; also check that the packaging looks presentable.
For pre-packed speculaas, check the ingredients, allergens, net quantity, best-before date and any special storage instructions. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists these details as part of the labelling requirements for pre-packed foods.
Yes. Lotus Bakeries Netherlands lists wheat flour and soya flour among the ingredients in Lotus Biscoff Original. If you’re buying for someone with an allergy, read the current label for the exact pack before buying; don’t assume another variety has the same ingredients.
