Who is this choice relevant to?

Consumers with a strict sugar-free requirement

You want a product for your shop whose sugar-free claim matches its nutrition information. A regular kano pastry isn’t an interchangeable alternative.

Consumers looking for something to serve with coffee or tea

You’re looking for a biscuit or mini cake for a well-presented serving occasion, and are happy for the alternative to taste and feel different from a kano pastry with almond paste filling.

Consumers who check ingredients carefully

You check sweeteners, polyols and allergens for each product. This is especially important if you need to take a known sensitivity or allergy into account.

What should you look for when choosing?

Regular kano pastry

Choose this: if the kano shape and almond paste filling matter more than a sugar-free claim.

The trade-off: the stated sugar content of the kano pastries mentioned makes this option unsuitable if you have a strict sugar-free requirement.

Sugar-free biscuit or cake

Choose this: if the sugar-free claim comes first and a different shape and texture suit your serving occasion.

The trade-off: an almond Speculoos biscuit or mini cake isn’t a kano pastry; check the polyols and allergens for each variant too.

What to consider What to check before buying Who should pay particular attention?
Sugar-free claim Compare the claim on the packaging with the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. In the European Union, ‘sugar-free’ may be used for products containing no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. If sugar-free is a firm requirement for my shop, I don’t want to mistake a regular kano pastry for a sugar-free product. Around 50% of consumers put this check first.
Shape and serving occasion Compare the product type, texture and portion size: an almond Speculoos biscuit and a soft mini cake offer a different experience from a kano pastry with almond paste filling. For coffee or tea, I want to serve something that suits the presentation of my shop, even if it isn’t a kano pastry. For around 30% of consumers, the serving experience is the top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Check the current label for sweeteners, polyols, allergens and possible traces; details vary from product to product. If I need to avoid an ingredient or allergen, I need to understand the ingredients before choosing based on taste. This matters most to around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Treating a regular kano pastry as a sugar-free alternative

    The regular kano pastries described by Albert Heijn and PLUS don’t meet the sugar-free requirement. A familiar product shape or smart presentation doesn’t change the sugar content.

    For the product you choose, check both the claim and the amount of sugars per 100 g on the current packaging.

  • Assuming ‘sugar-free’ also means low in energy or fat

    Albert Heijn lists Céréal Speculoos stukjes amandel zonder suikers as containing 404 kcal and 20 g of fat per 100 g. So the sugar information doesn’t tell you everything about its nutritional value.

    As well as sugars, compare energy, fat and portion size if they’re relevant to your choice.

  • Overlooking polyols and allergens

    The Céréal alternatives described contain maltitols. Products containing polyols may have a laxative effect if consumed in excess; allergens also vary between variants.

    Read the ingredients, usage warnings and allergen information for the product you’re actually planning to serve.

  • Assuming a product listing means it’s currently available to order

    Whether a biscuit or cake is right for your shop also depends on its packaging and whether that particular variant is available to order.

    Check the current order status, packaging information and nutrition information before choosing a product for your shop.

Brands to consider

Céréal

Sugar-free alternatives for anyone happy to choose a different type of biscuit or cake instead of a kano pastry.

  • Albert Heijn lists Speculoos stukjes amandel zonder suikers as containing 0.4 g of sugars per 100 g; Mini cakes chocolade zonder suiker are listed as containing 0 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • These aren’t kano pastries. The variants described contain polyols; check current availability and the label too.

Albert Heijn

Regular own-brand kano pastries for anyone looking for the classic product shape.

  • AH BASIC Kano’s and AH Roomboter kano’s are described as kano pastries with a traditional filling.
  • These regular products aren’t suitable if you have a strict sugar-free requirement. Check the allergens for your chosen variant too.

Aviateur

A traditional kano pastry with almond paste filling for anyone who prioritises the product shape.

  • PLUS describes Aviateur Kano’s as biscuits with 46% almond paste filling.
  • PLUS lists 37.6 g of sugars per 100 g and includes wheat, soya, milk and almonds among the ingredients or allergens.

PLUS

An own-brand butter kano pastry for anyone looking to serve a regular kano.

  • The product description mentions butter biscuits and almond paste.
  • PLUS lists 38.9 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the allergens and possible traces on the packaging you choose.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can a biscuit be called ‘sugar-free’?

In the European Union, the ‘sugar-free’ claim may be used if a product contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g or 100 ml. ‘Reduced sugar’ or an attractive appearance doesn’t mean the same thing; check the claim and nutrition information on the packaging.

Are regular kano pastries suitable if I want to serve something sugar-free?

The regular kano pastries discussed here aren’t suitable. PLUS lists 37.6 g of sugars per 100 g for Aviateur Kano’s and 38.9 g per 100 g for PLUS Roomboter kano’s; the own-brand kano pastries from Albert Heijn described here also don’t meet a strict sugar-free requirement.

Does ‘sugar-free’ also mean free from energy or fat?

No. Albert Heijn lists Céréal Speculoos stukjes amandel zonder suikers as containing 404 kcal and 20 g of fat per 100 g. For a comparison, check the portion size and the rest of the nutrition information too.

What should I look out for in biscuits or mini cakes containing maltitol?

Check the amount of polyols and the usage warning on the packaging. The Céréal variants described contain maltitols; according to Voedingscentrum, high intakes of polyols can cause digestive problems for some people.

How should I store the Céréal biscuits and mini cakes mentioned?

The packaging information described for Céréal Speculoos stukjes amandel and Mini cakes chocolade says to store them in a dry place at room temperature. Always follow the instructions on the current packaging for the variant you buy.