Organising a self-service coffee break
You want colleagues to be able to take a portion quickly, without reaching into one open pack of biscuits. Individually wrapped portions are worth considering; check how many portions you’ll need for the group.
Which packaging works best for you?
Buying for a larger meeting
Work out the number of biscuits or portions you need first, then compare the pack size and packaging. A large pack also means you’ll need a way to serve the biscuits and store them after opening.
Organising a meeting where people have dietary requirements or allergies
You’ll need information about the exact treat, not just the brand or type of speculaas. Check the ingredients, allergens and warnings on the current packaging to work out what you need to clarify before serving.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to hand out individual portions, put the biscuits on a platter or give them as a gift. Then work out how much you need and check the allergen information for the product you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Easy to hand out | Check whether the biscuits are wrapped individually or in pairs, and how many portions the pack contains. | I want colleagues to be able to take a measured portion themselves, without passing round an open pack. Around 33% of consumers put ease of sharing first. |
| Enough for the group | Compare the stated number of portions or biscuits with the number of people attending; also check the pack size and price per kilogram. | For a larger meeting, I want to know in advance that there’ll be enough biscuits, without having lots left over. For around 27% of consumers, quantity matters most. |
| A festive presentation | Choose between a treat to put on the table and a gift to give someone; check the product type and the actual packaging. | For a special occasion, I want to serve something different from an everyday biscuit with coffee. Around 20% of consumers prioritise a festive presentation. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the current label on the exact product, including the ingredients and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If anyone has questions about allergies, I want to check what’s in the biscuits before serving them. Around 20% of consumers give this check their highest priority. |
Common mistakes
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Looking only at the weight of a large pack
A 600 g pack doesn’t tell you how many biscuits you can serve to each person. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list around 48 portions for their 600 g packs of bakery-style speculaas; ALDI lists 48 biscuits in its 600 g pack of Biscotto.
Plan for the number of people attending and how many biscuits you want to offer each person. Also consider whether you’ll have other refreshments on the table.
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Assuming the type of speculaas tells you which allergens it contains
Product information varies between varieties. Lotus lists wheat and soya for Biscoff Original; according to Albert Heijn, Consenza’s gluten-free speculaas biscuits contain egg and milk and may contain other allergens.
Find out what information is relevant to your group, then read the current label on the exact pack. Keep the packaging to hand when you serve the biscuits.
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Assuming a festive biscuit comes in gift packaging
Filled speculaas and almond speculaas are different products from traditional bakery-style speculaas, but the product type doesn’t tell you whether it comes in individual gift packaging.
Decide whether you need a platter for the meeting or a gift for each person. Check the presentation before you order; if you’re putting together your own gift, you’ll need to arrange the packaging separately.
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Relying on a product page you viewed earlier
Ingredients and allergen information can change. Packaging you’ve seen before also doesn’t necessarily tell you whether the product is currently available.
Check the product information just before buying, then read the label on the pack you’ll actually be serving when it arrives.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Lotus Biscoff
According to Lotus Bakeries Netherlands, the speculoos range includes packs of 20 × 2, 10 × 2 and 8 × 2 biscuits, as well as standard packs.
- The stated quantities make it easier to plan individually wrapped portions.
- Lotus lists wheat and soya for Biscoff Original. Check the current warnings for possible traces of other allergens too.
AH
AH Bakkers speculaas comes in a 600 g sharing pack, ideal for a treat with coffee or tea.
- Albert Heijn lists 48 portions on the product page, which is a useful starting point for planning quantities.
- According to Albert Heijn, the product contains wheat and may contain almonds; check the current pack.
Jumbo
Jumbo Bakkers Speculaas comes in a 600 g sharing pack; Jumbo lists around 48 portions.
- The stated number of portions gives you a starting point for planning for a group.
- According to Jumbo, this variety contains wheat and may contain almonds and nuts. Seal the pack well after opening.
Biscotto
ALDI lists Biscotto bakery-style speculaas in a 600 g pack containing 48 biscuits.
- Knowing the number of biscuits makes it easy to plan how many to hand out.
- Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before buying.
Consenza
Albert Heijn labels Consenza Speculaasjes as gluten-free. This product is only relevant if someone in your group needs a gluten-free option.
- This specific product is an option to consider if you need a gluten-free treat.
- According to Albert Heijn, it contains egg and milk and may contain nuts, lupin, sesame seeds and soya. Check current availability too.
Spiced biscuits for the meeting table
These Joybuy products are biscuits to serve with coffee or tea: an almond speculaas and a traditional speculoos. Check the packaging separately if you want to hand out individual portions or give one as a gift.
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g'woon Almond Speculaas 400 g
An almond variety to serve at a group coffee break.
Pack size: 400 g. Check how many biscuits you’ll need for the group; before serving, read the current label, including the information about soya and other allergens.
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Lotus Biscoff Speculoos 250 g
Traditional speculoos biscuits to serve with coffee at a work meeting.
Pack size: 250 g. If you want to hand them out individually, check whether the biscuits are individually wrapped. Read the current label for allergen information, including soya.
Frequently asked questions
How much speculaas do I need for a work meeting?
Plan for the number of people attending and how many biscuits you want to offer each person. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list around 48 portions for their 600 g packs of bakery-style speculaas; ALDI lists 48 biscuits in its 600 g pack of Biscotto. Check the information on the pack you choose and allow for any other refreshments.
When are individually wrapped speculoos biscuits useful?
They’re useful when you want each person to be able to take a measured portion. Lotus Bakeries Netherlands lists Biscoff packs of 20 × 2, 10 × 2 and 8 × 2 biscuits, among others. Check that the variety and number of portions you choose are right for your meeting.
Can I give someone a pack of almond speculaas as a gift?
Yes, if the packaging suits the gift you have in mind, but almond speculaas doesn’t automatically come in gift packaging. Check the presentation of the exact product and arrange suitable packaging yourself if needed; also check the allergen information for the recipient.
Is gluten-free speculaas suitable for people with other allergies?
Not without checking the exact product. According to Albert Heijn, Consenza’s gluten-free speculaas biscuits contain egg and milk and may also contain nuts, lupin, sesame seeds and soya. Read the current label to check for allergens that are relevant to the person attending.
How should I store speculaas after a work meeting?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal any opened packaging well. Jumbo recommends storing its bakery-style speculaas in an airtight biscuit tin; Albert Heijn recommends keeping AH Bakkers speculaas in a closed tin after opening.