Shoppers keeping an eye on quantity
If you’re on a tight shopping budget, you’ll want to know how many biscuits are in the pack. The pack weight makes it easier to compare products in different-sized packaging.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fans of a classic spritz biscuit
You’re specifically looking for a crumbly, buttery biscuit to enjoy with coffee or tea, or to serve to guests. A plain digestive isn’t necessarily a substitute.
Shoppers who need to check the label
Ingredients, allergens and nutritional values can all influence which pack you choose. If you have a food allergy, check the current allergen information on the packaging.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a buttery spritz biscuit or a plain digestive. Then compare the contents and labels of the specific packs you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per pack | Check the net pack weight and think about how many biscuits you need. | If I’m on a tight shopping budget, I want to know how many biscuits are in a pack. For around 36% of consumers, the quantity per pack comes first. |
| Taste and texture | Check whether you’re choosing a butter spritz biscuit, a plain digestive or a chocolate version. | For coffee or when guests are visiting, I’m specifically after the crumbly, buttery spritz biscuit I know. That distinctive taste is the deciding factor for around 29% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information | Compare fibre, sugars and saturated fat per 100 g, among other things. | If I’m choosing between different biscuits, I want to compare their nutritional values on the same basis. Around 21% of consumers put this comparison first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, including any warnings about traces. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, the information on the pack matters more than taste or quantity. For around 14% of consumers, this check is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming the name ‘digestive’ tells you what’s in the biscuit
A digestive isn’t automatically suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten or other allergens. The product name alone also tells you nothing definitive about its nutritional value.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack. The Voedingscentrum recommends comparing the nutritional information of similar products per 100 g.
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Treating spritz biscuits and digestives as the same thing
The PLUS butter spritz biscuit mentioned contains butter, while the PLUS digestive contains, among other things, wholemeal wheat flour and sunflower oil. So one won’t necessarily replace the other if you’re after a particular taste.
First choose the type of biscuit you want, then compare the packaging and labels of the different options.
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Relying on outdated product information online
Ingredients and nutritional information can change. This is particularly important if you need to avoid an ingredient.
Check the packaging just before buying. If you have an allergy, read the full, current allergen information.
Brands to consider
Verkade
Verkade Nobo Sprits Naturel is an option if you’re looking for a specific brand of spritz biscuit.
- Jumbo lists a 150 g pack.
- Check the label if you have allergies; this product lists wheat and milk, among other ingredients.
Albert Heijn
The AH range includes both plain digestives and butter spritz biscuits.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Digestive in a 400 g pack and AH Roomboter spritsen in a 250 g pack.
- Check the current product information on the packaging for the option you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both plain and chocolate spritz biscuits.
- As well as Verkade Nobo Sprits Naturel, there’s a Jumbo spritz biscuit with dark chocolate in a 200 g pack.
- The chocolate version lists egg, gluten, milk and soya, among other ingredients. Check the label if allergens are a concern.
Lidl
Lidl lists butter spritz biscuits for anyone looking for this type of biscuit.
- The product page describes a 400 g pack of crumbly biscuits.
- According to Lidl, this product is only available in store.
ALDI / Biscotto
ALDI lists both digestives and butter spritz biscuits under the Biscotto brand.
- The Biscotto Digestive biscuits mentioned come in a 400 g pack; the butter spritz biscuits mentioned come in a 175 g pack.
- Compare the exact option you’re considering: the pack weights differ.
PLUS
PLUS lists a plain digestive and a butter spritz biscuit, whose labels can be compared individually.
- The digestive mentioned comes in a 400 g pack, while the spritz biscuit mentioned comes in a 175 g pack.
- The differences in ingredients and nutritional values between these two products aren’t a general rule for all digestives and spritz biscuits.
Digestive biscuits at Joybuy
These products are digestives: one plain option and two chocolate options. If you’re specifically looking for a butter spritz biscuit, consider that separately from these products.
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McVities Digestive Original, 400 g
A good option if you want to compare a plain digestive with a spritz biscuit. Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging if they’ll affect your choice.
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McVitie's Digestives Milk Chocolate, 266 g
For anyone looking for a digestive with milk chocolate rather than a plain version. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and check the allergens on the packaging.
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McVitie's Digestives with Dark Chocolate, 266 g
For anyone looking for a digestive with dark chocolate rather than a plain version. Check the nutritional information per 100 g and, if you have allergies, read the current label.
Frequently asked questions
Does the name ‘digestive’ mean a biscuit has different nutritional values from a spritz biscuit?
No. The product name alone doesn’t tell you how the nutritional values of two biscuits compare. The PLUS digestive mentioned contains 1.8 g of saturated fat and 3.3 g of fibre per 100 g; the PLUS butter spritz biscuit mentioned contains 17.2 g and 2.5 g respectively per 100 g. Don’t use these values as a guide to all options; compare the labels of the products you’re choosing.
How do I compare packs of spritz biscuits and digestives in different sizes?
Check the net pack weight to see how many biscuits each pack contains. To compare nutritional values, you can look at the information per 100 g side by side; according to the Voedingscentrum, this is a useful basis for comparing similar products.
If I have an allergy, can I rely on the product name?
No. Read the allergen information on the specific pack. The PLUS spritz biscuit mentioned lists wheat, egg and milk, among other ingredients, while the PLUS digestive mentioned lists wheat. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be declared on the label of pre-packed foods. Check for any warnings about traces, too.
How should I store an opened pack of spritz biscuits or digestives?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal the pack well after opening. Albert Heijn recommends storing its spritz biscuits in a cool, dark and dry place; PLUS advises keeping the spritz biscuit and digestive mentioned in a cool, dry place.