Who are these options for?

Home bakers making a personal biscuit gift

You want to shape and decorate the taaitaai yourself. Allow time to prepare and rest the dough, and for the biscuits to cool before you wrap them.

Gift-givers short on preparation time

You’re looking for a box of chocolates you can give straight away, or a baking kit that means you don’t have to choose as many ingredients and decorating supplies separately. A baking kit still involves baking; it isn’t a ready-made gift.

Shoppers who need to check allergens

You want to know what ingredients are in the gift. Check the current packaging for the taaitaai, any decorations and the chocolates separately; the product name alone won’t tell you.

What should you consider when choosing?

First decide whether you want to bake biscuits yourself or are looking for a chocolate gift that’s ready to give. The time needed for baking, the contents of the pack and the ingredients will help you choose the right option.

Bake taaitaai yourself

A good fit if: you want to choose the recipe, shape and decorations for your biscuit gift yourself.

Bear in mind: you’ll need to buy the ingredients separately and allow time to prepare, rest, bake and cool the dough. Jumbo’s taaitaai recipe specifies a resting time of two hours.

Taaitaai baking kit

A good fit if: you want to bake taaitaai and are looking for a kit with a mix and decorations.

Bear in mind: you may need items that aren’t included in the kit. The Homemade kit described by Albert Heijn includes icing and chocolate drops, among other things, but you’ll also need kitchen utensils and an oven.

A box of chocolates

A good fit if: you want to give a chocolate gift without baking biscuits first.

Bear in mind: it’s a different product: a box of chocolates won’t give you homemade taaitaai, and isn’t automatically suitable for decorating your baking.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
How the gift is presented Check whether the packaging contains a baking product, decorations or a box of chocolates. Look at what’s included and whether it suits the way you want to give the gift. I want to give decorated biscuits I’ve made myself, or hand over a box straight away. Presentation would be the main concern for around 40% of consumers.
Baking and equipment Check the preparation and resting times, and what else you’ll need in addition to the recipe or kit. If I’m baking taaitaai, I want to fit the preparation into my schedule and avoid finding I’m short of equipment halfway through. Ease of baking would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information for each product separately, including any decorations. If the recipient has an allergy, I need to be able to check what’s in every part of the gift. This would be the main concern when buying for around 20% of consumers.
Storage and when you’ll give it Check the best-before date and storage instructions on unopened packaging. If you’re baking the biscuits yourself, allow time for them to cool too. I’m giving the gift later and want to be able to store it according to the instructions until then. This would be the main concern for around 10% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a baking kit is a ready-to-give chocolate gift

    A taaitaai baking kit still requires preparation and equipment. You can choose a box of chocolates as a separate gift, but it won’t automatically replace the ingredients or decorations you need for baking.

    Check the product type and contents before you choose. If you’re baking, look for the mix and decorations you’ll need; if you want a ready-to-give gift, check the chocolates and their packaging.

  • Relying only on an old ingredients list

    The ingredients in taaitaai, icing, chocolate drops and chocolates can vary. A product page you looked at before may not match the packaging you receive.

    Before use, check the labels on every item, including any warnings about possible cross-contamination if these are relevant to the recipient.

  • Planning the gift without checking how to store it

    A sealed box of chocolates and homemade taaitaai don’t necessarily have the same storage advice. If you’re baking, you’ll also need to leave time between baking and wrapping the biscuits.

    Before buying, check that the best-before date and storage instructions work with the date you plan to give the gift. Leave baked taaitaai to cool completely before wrapping it.

Brands and shops to explore

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists an AH taaitaai product, a category for chocolates and pralines, and a Homemade taaitaai baking kit separately.

  • The ingredients and allergens are listed for AH Taai taai 500 g; the chocolates category lets you browse different box sizes.
  • A taaitaai product, a baking kit and chocolates serve different purposes. Check the contents and current product information for each pack you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo publishes a recipe for anyone who wants to bake taaitaai at home.

  • The recipe sets out the ingredients and steps, including a resting time of two hours.
  • A recipe tells you how to bake, but not which box of chocolates or decorations you’ll receive.

Homemade

The Homemade kit described by Albert Heijn is designed for making taaitaai and includes decorations.

  • The listed contents include a mix, icing sugar, chocolate drops, a cutter and a piping bag.
  • The kit doesn’t take care of all the preparation: check which additional ingredients, utensils and equipment are needed for the pack you choose.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Should I check allergens in a taaitaai or chocolate gift?

Yes. Check the allergen information for every individual pre-packed product you’re giving as a gift or using for baking. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on the labels of pre-packed foods. Check the current packaging for icing, chocolate drops and chocolates too.

How should I plan storage for an unopened box of chocolates?

Compare the date you plan to give it with the best-before date, and follow the storage advice on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says chocolates may still be usable after their best-before date if the packaging is intact and the product looks fine. However, this doesn’t replace the instructions for the particular box of chocolates you choose.

What else will I need for a taaitaai baking kit?

It depends on the kit. For the Homemade kit described by Albert Heijn, you’ll also need water, a little flour, a mixer with dough hooks, a bowl, a rolling pin and an oven. Check the instructions on the packaging of the kit you choose.