Travellers who want to share snacks
You want to be able to offer portions to your fellow travellers during the journey. The number of pieces, their size and whether they’re individually wrapped matter more to you than gift-style presentation.
Which option is right for you?
Travellers buying a gift
You’re looking for something to give as a thank-you when you arrive, or to open and enjoy together. A box with different flavours or individually wrapped pieces could be a good fit, as long as these features are listed on the pack you choose.
Shoppers with ingredient or storage requirements
Before choosing between biscuits and chocolate, check which allergens are listed and whether you can follow the storage instructions during your journey.
What should you look for when choosing?
Plain stroopwafels
Choose these if: you mainly want a familiar biscuit snack for the car and gift-style presentation is less important.
Bear in mind: the number and size of the pieces vary by pack; also check the allergens for the variety you choose.
Box of chocolates
Choose this if: you want the snack to double as a thank-you gift or something to share together.
Bear in mind: ingredients can vary between flavours, and some boxes need to be kept away from heat.
Chocolate-covered stroopwafels
Choose these if: you want to stick with stroopwafels but include chocolate when sharing or giving a gift.
Bear in mind: check both the allergen information and the storage instructions for the specific variety.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the current pack. | If someone in my group needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to rule it out before choosing based on flavour. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Sharing and portions | Compare the number and size of the pieces, and check whether the snacks are individually wrapped. | I want to be able to offer my fellow travellers something at different points in the journey without opening a large pack all at once. For around 27% of consumers, ease of sharing matters most. |
| Gifting and variety | Check whether it’s actually a gift box or an assortment, and find out which flavours it contains. | If I’m giving the snack as a thank-you when I arrive, presentation and a suitable choice of flavours matter to me. This gifting preference is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Storage during the journey | Read the storage instructions and check whether you can protect the pack from heat during your journey, if needed. | If the snack will be in the car for a long time, I want to be able to follow the storage instructions. For around 20% of consumers, storage is the first thing they consider. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming an assortment box is suitable for everyone
Different chocolate flavours can contain different ingredients and allergens. The Merci gift box examined lists milk, hazelnut, almond and soya, among other ingredients.
If you’re buying a gift for several people, ask about any relevant allergies and check the allergen information on the box you’re buying.
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Taking chocolate without a storage plan
The Merci gift box examined needs to be kept away from heat. The storage advice for the Daelmans chocolate-covered stroopwafels examined is to keep them in a cool, dry, dark place.
Check the instructions on the pack before setting off, and choose something else if you can’t follow them during your journey.
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Comparing nutritional values by piece alone
A stroopwafel and a chocolate are not necessarily equal-sized portions. The examples from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre are an extra-large stroopwafel weighing 40 g and a chocolate weighing 15 g.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g as well as the portion you actually plan to take with you.
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Relying on a previous purchase as your label check
Ingredients and allergen information can change, so it’s worth checking even a familiar product if someone needs to avoid something.
Check the current pack before eating, even if you’ve bought the same brand before.
Brands to consider
Daelmans
Examples of plain and chocolate-covered stroopwafels.
- Albert Heijn lists 10 plain stroopwafels weighing 29 g each, with a 50% syrup filling.
- The 4-pack with milk chocolate examined should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place. Check the allergens on the pack for both varieties.
AH
Albert Heijn’s own-brand butter stroopwafels.
- The pack examined contains 8 stroopwafels, with a stated serving size of 39 g.
- The product information lists milk, soya and wheat among the allergens. Check the current label when buying.
Sondey
Lidl’s own brand, including the butter stroopwafel variety examined.
- Lidl Netherlands lists 12 pieces and a pack weight of 480 g for this variety.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack before taking this variety for someone else.
Merci
A chocolate gift box for sharing an assortment or giving as a present.
- According to Albert Heijn, the 400 g box examined contains 32 individually wrapped chocolate bars.
- The product information lists several allergens and advises protecting the chocolates from heat.
Products for your journey
These products illustrate three options: plain stroopwafels as a biscuit snack, a chocolate gift pack and a chocolate assortment to share. For your journey, focus on the portions, ingredients and storage requirements of the pack you choose.
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Kanjers Original Stroopwafels, 8 stuks
An option if you want to take plain stroopwafels on your car journey; the pack contains 8 pieces.
Check the label for allergens and storage instructions, especially if you’re buying the wafers for fellow travellers.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A 288 g chocolate gift pack for anyone who’d like to take a thank-you gift along on their journey.
Check the ingredients and whether the pieces are individually wrapped if you plan to share them during the journey. Follow the storage instructions on the pack.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
A 143 g chocolate assortment to consider if you’d like to share different flavours during your journey.
Check the number of pieces and the type of packaging if individual portions are important. Also read the allergen information and storage instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Should I check allergens again if I already know the brand?
Yes. Check the pack you’re actually buying. Ingredient information can change, and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens which must be declared have to be clearly listed on the label.
Can I leave a box of chocolates in the car for a long time?
Only if you can follow the storage instructions for that box. The Merci gift box examined needs to be kept away from heat; the chocolate-covered Daelmans stroopwafels examined should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place.
What does a white coating on chocolate mean?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a white coating can be fat coming to the surface and is not harmful. For an unopened pack, also check the best-before date, the condition of the packaging and the storage instructions.
Can I compare stroopwafels and chocolates by calories per piece?
Not without taking the weight of each piece into account. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 189 kcal for an extra-large stroopwafel weighing 40 g and 77 kcal for a chocolate weighing 15 g. When shopping, also compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per planned portion on the pack you choose.