Only choose taaitaai to serve with hotel coffee as a sugar-free option if the current packaging carries the ‘sugar-free’ claim and states no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, as explained by the Diabetes Fund. Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Taai taai, while PLUS lists 38,594 g per 100 g for its Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken. Neither variety is therefore a sugar-free choice. If you serve it in a hotel room, make sure guests can also read the portion and allergen information.
If you want to offer taaitaai with coffee as sugar-free, make sure the claim and sugar content on the current packaging support this. The Diabetes Fund defines ‘sugar-free’ as no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
If you’re choosing a snack for your hotel room, you’ll want to be able to see the portion size and the ingredients and allergens listed for that specific variety.
If you want to serve regular taaitaai with coffee without presenting it as sugar-free, note that the sugar levels listed for the AH and PLUS varieties reviewed do not meet that claim.
First decide whether sugar-free is a requirement. If it is, checking the claim and nutritional information takes priority over choosing traditional taaitaai. Then consider how guests can access the portion and allergen information.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar-free claim | Read the exact claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g. According to the Diabetes Fund, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. | If I want to offer taaitaai as a sugar-free accompaniment to coffee, that claim must be accurate for the variety I choose; around 50% of consumers prioritise this claim. |
| Portion and allergens | Check the portion size and make sure the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety is easy to read when served. | In my hotel room, I want to be able to see how much I’m having per piece and which allergens it contains. This information matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
| Traditional taaitaai | Check that the variety is currently available and review its sugar content; a seasonal listing does not confirm a sugar-free claim. | If a sugar-free option isn’t essential, I’m mainly looking for familiar taaitaai to enjoy with coffee; around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
According to PLUS, its Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken contain 38,594 g of sugars per 100 g. So the product name says nothing about whether it is sugar-free.
Compare the ‘of which sugars’ figure per 100 g and check the claim on the packaging of the exact variety.
According to the Diabetes Fund, a product with no added sugars can still contain sugars. That wording alone is therefore not enough to select a sugar-free product.
For a ‘sugar-free’ claim, also check that the nutritional information lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.
If taaitaai is left loose in a hotel room, guests may no longer be able to read the ingredients and allergens for the variety they’ve been given.
Choose a portion with readable product information, or make the ingredients and allergen information available when you serve it.
AH Taai taai, in a 350 g pack, is an example of regular taaitaai, not a sugar-free option.
PLUS Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken, in a 250 g pack, are regular taaitaai; ‘traditional’ is not a sugar claim.
ALDI describes its 500 g pack of Taai-taai as aniseed biscuits in assorted shapes, available in store.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai, in a 500 g pack, in its search results.
Lidl lists mini-taai-taai as an ingredient in a seasonal recipe.
No. According to the Diabetes Fund, ‘sugar-free’ means no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, whereas a product with no added sugars may still contain sugars. So check both the claim and the ‘of which sugars’ figure on the label.
No, not the varieties mentioned. Albert Heijn lists 39 g of sugars per 100 g for AH Taai taai, and PLUS lists 38,594 g per 100 g for its Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken. Check the current packaging of the exact variety when you buy it.
Make sure guests can read the allergen information for the variety you’re offering. The Albert Heijn and PLUS products reviewed list wheat, rye and milk or lactose, among other things. Also check the current packaging for any other allergens.
Follow the storage instructions and use-by information on the packaging of the variety you choose. Albert Heijn and PLUS product information recommends storing it in a cool, dark and dry place. Albert Heijn also advises keeping it in a sealed tin once opened.
