When choosing taai-taai with less sugar for Sinterklaas Eve, compare the current ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g rather than relying on wording on the front of the pack or a small serving size. A lower value than another standard taai-taai does not make a product low in sugar: the stated values for the standard varieties from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS range from 38.594 to 39 g of sugars per 100 g.
If you want to choose taai-taai with less sugar for your festive evening, compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g, then consider the portion you plan to serve. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 7.5 g of sugar for a 20 g piece of taai-taai; the value for another product may differ.
The pack size should suit the number of people and the portions you want to serve. The products described come in 250 g and 500 g packs; check the current pack size before shopping for your festive evening.
Standard taai-taai is not automatically suitable if you need to avoid wheat, rye or milk. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo varieties described list these allergens. Always check the current packaging, even if a product is labelled gluten-free: the Maître Mathis variety described listed milk and lupin.
If your aim is to reduce sugar, start by checking the sugars per 100 g. Then make sure the ingredients are suitable for your guests and that you have enough taai-taai.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Less sugar | Compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g for similar taai-taai, and check any sugar claim against the nutrition information. | If I specifically want to serve less sugar, I want to know whether the difference is in the product itself, not just in a smaller portion. Around 50% of consumers would choose less sugar as their main consideration. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any mention of wheat, rye, milk and other allergens. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to know whether the taai-taai is suitable for them. For around 30% of consumers, allergens and ingredients would be their top priority. |
| Quantity and availability | Check the net weight and whether the product you’ve chosen is available when you need it. | If I’m putting out a plate to share with several people, I want to have enough biscuits without relying on a variety that isn’t available. Around 20% of consumers are expected to consider this first. |
A product may contain less sugar than another standard taai-taai and still have a considerably higher sugar content than the 5 g per 100 g that the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives for the ‘low sugar’ claim.
So describe the difference between products in terms of sugars per 100 g. Check separately what the current label says about sugar.
A smaller stated serving may contain less sugar without the taai-taai containing less sugar per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers set their own stated serving sizes.
First compare the nutrition information per 100 g. Then use the per-serving value to work out how much you actually want to serve.
Ingredients and allergen information can change. In addition, the 350 g Bolletje Taai Taai described was listed as discontinued on the Albert Heijn product page.
Check the packaging and availability of your chosen variety just before buying, especially if a guest needs to avoid an allergen.
The products listed are standard taai-taai or chewy biscuits. Their pack information can help you compare them, but a lower sugar value within this group does not in itself confirm that a variety is low in sugar.
AH Taai taai is a standard 500 g pack with nutrition information on the product page.
Jumbo Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes is a standard 500 g pack.
PLUS Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken are described as a 250 g bag.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai in a 500 g pack.
ALDI describes a 500 g taai-taai product for Sinterklaas.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a maximum of 5 g of sugars per 100 g for the ‘low sugar’ claim. So a lower value than another standard taai-taai doesn’t automatically mean a product is low in sugar: for the varieties described here, Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS state 39 g, 38.6 g and 38.594 g of sugars per 100 g respectively.
First compare the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, manufacturers set their own stated serving sizes. Only then should you look at the amount per biscuit or per serving you plan to serve.
No. A statement about added sugars doesn’t tell you how much sugar the product contains overall. When choosing taai-taai, also check the ‘of which sugars’ value per 100 g on the current label.
Not without checking the current allergen information. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo varieties described list wheat, rye and milk. Taai-taai labelled gluten-free may also contain other allergens, such as milk or lupin in the Maître Mathis variety described.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging. For the AH Taai taai described, Albert Heijn advises storing it in a cool, dry place and putting the biscuits in a sealed tin after opening. Jumbo advises storing its Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes in a cool, dry place.
