Tea drinkers who want to share biscuits
If you want to serve biscuits with tea without much preparation, chocolate-coated spritz biscuits are one option. Check the allergens on the packaging before serving them to others.
Who is each option suited to?
Those looking for a small chocolate gift
If presentation matters, consider chocolates, pralines or a chocolate gift. Jumbo distinguishes chocolates and pralines from chocolate gifts, so check how a specific product is packaged.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients or allergens
Base your choice on the label for the exact product, not just its name or picture. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be clearly stated on the label of prepacked foods.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve biscuits with tea or give chocolate as a gift. Then check the packaging and ingredients of the product you actually choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Biscuits or chocolate | Check the product type and, if you’re sharing, the weight or number of pieces. | When I’m having tea with others, I mainly want to know whether I’ll be serving biscuits or sharing chocolate. For around 45% of consumers, this is the main consideration for tea time. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, the allergens listed and any warnings such as ‘may contain’ on the packaging. | If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, I give the label more weight than the flavour or presentation. Ingredients and allergens are the main concern for around 33% of consumers making this choice. |
| Gifting and flavour | Check whether it’s a gift pack or an assortment, and find out which types of chocolate or fillings it contains. | If I’m taking something as a small gift, I want to know what it looks like and which flavours I’m giving. For around 22% of consumers, choosing a gift is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a packet of spritz biscuits for a box of chocolates
Spritz biscuits are biscuits, even when they’re coated in chocolate. A packet of biscuits works well for informal serving, but it doesn’t automatically serve the same purpose as a box of chocolates you want to give to someone.
Start by thinking about the occasion: biscuits with tea, or chocolate to present and give as a gift. Then check the packaging of the product you’ve chosen.
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Relying on the product name alone when there are allergies
Ingredients vary between products. The spritz biscuits described by Verkade and Jumbo list ingredients including wheat, milk and soya; the Jumbo product also lists egg.
Before serving or giving them, read the label on the packaging you buy, including any ‘may contain’ warnings.
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Choosing a particular box of chocolates without checking availability
If you’re taking a specific flavour or type of packaging to a gathering, finding that it’s unavailable could change your choice at the last minute.
Check that the exact product is available when you buy it, and decide in advance which other assortment would also suit the occasion.
Brands to consider
Verkade
Verkade describes Nobo Sprits Melk as a biscuit coated in milk chocolate: an example of the biscuit option for tea.
- The product described combines spritz biscuits with milk chocolate.
- This product lists wheat, milk and soya; also check the warning about other cereals containing gluten.
Albert Heijn
AH Choco spritsen are butter spritz biscuits with dark chocolate, packaged as five biscuits weighing 180 g in total.
- Albert Heijn states that this product contains 25% butter and 15% dark chocolate.
- The product information lists ingredients including milk, wheat and soya. Albert Heijn advises checking the packaging, as online information may change.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers a spritz biscuit with dark chocolate, as well as distinguishing chocolates and pralines from chocolate gifts.
- Jumbo Spritsen met Pure Chocolade is a 200 g biscuit product.
- This spritz biscuit product lists egg, gluten, milk, soya and wheat. For a chocolate gift, always check the ingredients of the exact product.
Spritz biscuits and chocolate assortments on Joybuy
These products show two options for tea time: a chocolate-coated spritz biscuit to serve as a biscuit, and different chocolate assortments to share or take along. An assortment isn’t automatically a box of chocolates or a separately wrapped gift.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate assortment to take along or share with tea. Check the number of pieces if you’re buying for several people, and read the label if there are any allergies.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted, 385 g
A chocolate assortment for anyone who wants to share chocolate rather than serve biscuits. Check how many pieces the pack contains for the number of guests, and read the label if there are any allergies.
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Verkade Nobo Spritzed Milk Chocolate, 150 g
A spritz biscuit with milk chocolate for anyone who wants to serve biscuits with tea, rather than a box of chocolates. Check how many biscuits there are for your guests, and read the allergen information on the packaging.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift pack for anyone who wants to share or take along a selection of flavours. Check the specific packaging if presentation matters, and read the label if there are any allergies.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
A chocolate assortment for sharing over tea. Check the number of pieces if you’re offering it to several guests, and read the allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Are spritz biscuits the same as a box of chocolates?
No. Spritz biscuits are biscuits, even when they’re coated in chocolate; chocolates and pralines are chocolate products. Choose spritz biscuits if you want to serve biscuits with tea, and consider a box of chocolates if presentation or taking a gift along matters more.
Which allergens should I check in chocolate-coated spritz biscuits?
Check the allergens for the exact product on the packaging. The spritz biscuits described by Verkade and Jumbo list ingredients including wheat, milk and soya; Jumbo also lists egg. Check for any warnings about ingredients the product may contain, too.
How should I store spritz biscuits and chocolates for tea time?
Follow the storage instructions for the product you choose. Jumbo advises storing its spritz biscuit product in a cool, dark and dry place, while Albert Heijn advises keeping AH Choco spritsen cool, dark and dry, and sealing the pack well after opening. For chocolates, check the label on the specific box separately.
Can I rely on the online product information for ingredients?
For your final decision, use the label on the packaging you buy. Albert Heijn warns that online ingredients and allergen information may change; according to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the required information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.