Choose packaged taaitaai for the procession only if the information on that exact product confirms it meets your sugar-free requirement. Check both the product description and the ingredients, as well as the ‘of which sugars’ value. The standard taaitaai from Jumbo, PLUS and Bolletje for which nutritional information is available contains sugars, so it isn’t sugar-free. Baking your own with a sweetener is another option, but you’ll need to assess the ingredients, nutritional value and allergens in your recipe.
If you want taaitaai for the procession that meets a strict sugar-free requirement, rely on the information for the exact product. The standard examples listed by Jumbo, PLUS and Albert Heijn, with nutritional information provided, contain sugars.
If you’re mainly looking for a different option for a special occasion, compare more than just the sweet taste or whether it contains a sweetener. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sweeteners provide the same or fewer calories than sugar; that alone doesn’t tell you the biscuit’s overall nutritional value.
If you’re taking taaitaai to share with a group, check the allergens in the biscuits you’ll actually be handing out. The product information from Jumbo and PLUS, and the ingredients in the self-baking recipe mentioned here, show that the relevant allergens vary depending on your choice.
When: You want to take biscuits with you or hand them out at the procession without having to bake.
The trade-off: The standard examples from Jumbo, PLUS and Bolletje list 38.6 g, 38.594 g and 36 g of sugars per 100 g respectively. Don’t choose them if your requirement is strictly sugar-free.
When: You want to bake your own and assess the ingredients in a recipe with no added sugar.
The trade-off: The recipe from Fun and healthy food uses ingredients including stevia-sweetened syrup, almond flour and egg. It takes time to prepare and isn’t a packaged supermarket product.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who does this matter to? |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmed sugar-free | Check the product description, ingredients and ‘of which sugars’ per 100 g on the exact product. ‘No added sugars’ doesn’t mean the same as sugar-free. | I want to choose taaitaai for the procession that genuinely meets my sugar-free requirement, not just something that sounds less sweet. For around 50% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Less sugar | Compare the sugars and energy per 100 g, and check the portion size; a sweetener doesn’t tell the whole story. | If I mainly want to cut down on sugar, I want to weigh up the full nutritional value without setting a strict sugar-free requirement. For around 30% of consumers, this is the first priority. |
| Allergens when sharing | Read the latest allergen information and keep the packaging available. If you’re baking your own, check every ingredient you use. | When I’m handing out treats to a group, it needs to be clear which allergens the biscuits contain. For around 20% of consumers, checking this comes first when choosing. |
These words tell you nothing about the amount of sugars. Jumbo lists 38.6 g of sugars per 100 g for Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes, while PLUS lists 38.594 g per 100 g for Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken.
Start with the ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 g, not the description of the flavour or tradition.
A recipe with no added sugar isn’t a label for a ready-made biscuit. The final composition depends on the ingredients you use.
Assess every ingredient and the portion size of your own bake before deciding whether it suits your needs.
Baking your own also takes time and ingredients.
This can be particularly tricky if you’re planning to share taaitaai with a group. Jumbo and PLUS list allergens for their products; the homemade recipe mentioned here uses egg and almond flour.
Check the current packaging before you buy, and keep the information available when handing out the biscuits.
Albert Heijn lists an AH Taai taai 3-pack and a product page for Bolletje Taai Taai.
Jumbo lists Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes 500 g, with ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
PLUS lists Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken 250 g, with ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai 500 g.
ALDI describes Taai-taai 500 g as anise-flavoured figure biscuits.
Lidl links to a recipe for mini taai-taai.
No, anise tells you nothing about the amount of sugars. Jumbo lists 38.6 g of sugars per 100 g for Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes, PLUS lists 38.594 g per 100 g for Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken, and the Bolletje product information at Albert Heijn lists 36 g per 100 g.
No, don’t use these descriptions interchangeably. For packaged taaitaai, check the exact product description, ingredients and ‘of which sugars’ value. If you’re baking your own, assess the ingredients and final recipe separately.
Check the allergens on the latest packaging before you buy, and keep that information available when handing out the biscuits. The taaitaai from Jumbo and PLUS lists allergens, so don’t rely on the product name or flavour alone.
Yes, if you want to bake your own and can assess the ingredients you use. The recipe from Fun and healthy food uses stevia-sweetened syrup, almond flour and egg. Don’t treat it as nutritional information for packaged taaitaai, and check the composition of your own bake.
