Who is this relevant to?

Hosts who want to serve sugar-free treats

‘Less sugar’ isn’t enough for you: you want to be able to check the pack to see whether the taaitaai is actually labelled sugar-free and how much sugar it contains per 100 g.

Friends comparing sugar levels over coffee

Regular taaitaai is still an option if sugar-free isn’t a requirement. If so, compare the sugars per 100 g rather than just the nutritional information per serving, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

Hosts whose guests avoid certain ingredients

A gluten-free label doesn’t automatically answer questions about sugar or other allergens. For example, the gluten-free Consenza taaitaai sold by Albert Heijn contains almonds and 29 g of sugars per 100 g.

What should you look for when choosing?

Start with a requirement that matters most to your guests, such as choosing a sugar-free option or avoiding an allergen. Then compare pack sizes and nutritional information for the remaining options.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Sugar-free Look for the ‘sugar-free’ label and check that the nutritional information lists no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g, the limit set by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If I specifically want to serve sugar-free treats, I need the pack to support that choice; this is a top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Allergens and ingredients Read the current allergen information on the pack you buy. If you choose a gluten-free variety, also check for any other ingredients that matter to your guests. If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to be able to check the pack before serving the taaitaai; this is a top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Taste and quantity Check how much taaitaai is in the pack and, for regular varieties, compare the sugars per 100 g. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list around 38.6 to 39 g of sugars per 100 g for the varieties mentioned. If my main priority is having enough regular taaitaai to share, pack size matters, as long as nobody needs a sugar-free option; taste and quantity matter most to around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming gluten-free means sugar-free

    The gluten-free Consenza taaitaai at Albert Heijn contains 29 g of sugars per 100 g. A gluten-free label doesn’t mean a product is sugar-free.

    To choose a sugar-free option, check the sugar claim and the amount per 100 g separately. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre sets the limit at no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g.

  • Comparing only the amount per serving

    Serving sizes can vary from pack to pack, so per-serving values don’t give you a like-for-like comparison.

    First compare the nutritional values per 100 g, then consider how much taaitaai you want to serve.

  • Serving regular taaitaai as a sugar-free alternative

    The regular varieties mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain around 38.6 to 39 g of sugars per 100 g. They therefore don’t meet a specific request for sugar-free treats.

    Serve regular taaitaai only if sugar-free isn’t a requirement. If it is, choose a product whose pack confirms that it is sugar-free and states the sugar content.

  • Relying on an allergen list you checked earlier

    Ingredients and allergen information can change. A product page you looked at previously is no substitute for checking the label on the pack you’re serving.

    Read the pack again and keep it handy for guests who want to check the ingredients.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn sells 500 g packs of AH Taai taai, as well as a separate gluten-free taaitaai variety from Consenza.

  • AH Taai taai contains 39 g of sugars per 100 g.
  • The gluten-free Consenza variety contains 29 g of sugars per 100 g and almonds; gluten-free doesn’t mean sugar-free here.

Jumbo

Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes is a regular taaitaai sold in a 500 g pack.

  • Jumbo lists around 36 servings per pack.
  • The nutritional information lists 38.6 g of sugars per 100 g. The product contains gluten and milk.

PLUS

PLUS Taai taai sint en piet is a regular variety sold in a 500 g pack.

  • The product information lists both total sugars and added sugars per 100 g.
  • According to PLUS, this variety contains 38.594 g of sugars per 100 g, as well as wheat, rye and milk.

ALDI

ALDI lists 500 g packs of aniseed-flavoured taaitaai.

  • The listed pack size makes it easier to plan a coffee get-together with several guests.
  • If sugar levels or allergens are important, check the nutritional information and ingredients on the pack.

Dirk

Dirk lists 500 g packs of 1 de Beste Mini taai taai.

  • The product name makes it clear that these are mini taaitaai.
  • Check the pack for sugars per 100 g and allergen information before choosing it to meet a specific requirement.

Taaitaai at Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

What does ‘sugar-free’ mean for taaitaai?

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a product such as taaitaai can be labelled ‘sugar-free’ if it contains no more than 0.5 g of sugars per 100 g. Check the label on the pack and the nutritional information.

Does ‘no added sugars’ mean the same as sugar-free?

No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between the two claims: ‘no added sugars’ means no sugars or other foods used for their sweetening properties have been added, although the product may still contain naturally occurring sugars. For a ‘sugar-free’ claim, check the total sugars per 100 g.

How do I compare regular taaitaai to have with coffee?

Compare the nutritional values per 100 g so that different serving sizes don’t skew the comparison. Then check the quantity in the pack and whether it contains any ingredients that matter to your guests.

Is gluten-free taaitaai also sugar-free?

Not necessarily. The gluten-free Consenza Taai Taai Poppetjes listed by Albert Heijn contain 29 g of sugars per 100 g and also contain almonds. Check sugar and allergens separately.

Where can I find the allergen information before serving?

Read the label on the pack you’ve bought. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products appears on the label. Keep the pack handy in case guests want to check the information themselves.