Which option is right for you?

For fans of a pronounced cocoa flavour

If you’re looking for taaitaai with plain or dark chocolate, check the type of chocolate and any cocoa percentage stated on the packaging. A dark colour or flavour description alone won’t tell you this.

For sharing taaitaai

For a Christmas market, a bag of classic taaitaai may be a good choice if sharing matters more than having a chocolate version. ALDI, Jumbo and PLUS list packs of 500 g, among other options; check what’s available when you buy.

For anyone who needs to check allergens

Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the version you choose. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the requirement to declare allergens on pre-packed foods; Albert Heijn warns that online product information can change.

What should you look for when choosing?

Plain or dark chocolate

Choose this when: this type of chocolate is essential and the specific taaitaai version is labelled accordingly.

What to bear in mind: according to the Voedingscentrum, a description such as ‘bitter’ doesn’t tell you the chocolate’s cocoa percentage.

Milk chocolate

Choose this when: you’d like chocolate with your taaitaai, but plain chocolate isn’t essential; Jumbo lists a milk chocolate version in a 250 g pack.

What to bear in mind: the milk chocolate label doesn’t confirm that it’s plain chocolate or has the cocoa percentage you want.

Classic taaitaai

Choose this when: a familiar treat to share matters more than chocolate.

What to bear in mind: a classic taaitaai label doesn’t confirm that the product meets a requirement for plain chocolate.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Type of chocolate and cocoa Check whether the packaging says plain or dark chocolate, and which cocoa percentage is stated for that chocolate component. If I’m choosing taaitaai specifically for its chocolate flavour, I don’t want to mistake milk chocolate for plain chocolate. This flavour preference comes first for around 50% of consumers.
Sharing and availability Compare the pack weight of the version you’ve chosen and check stock shortly before the Christmas market. For a treat I can share, a suitable-sized bag matters more than chocolate; sharing comes first for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact version you’re buying. If I need to take a food allergy into account, I want to know what’s in the taaitaai I’ve chosen. Checking the label is the top priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Mistaking milk chocolate for plain chocolate

    Jumbo explicitly describes its chocolate taaitaai as a milk chocolate version. The Voedingscentrum also says that terms such as ‘bitter’ don’t indicate a specific cocoa percentage.

    Check the type of chocolate and, if it matters to your choice, the cocoa percentage on the packaging of the version in question.

  • Relying only on an online ingredients list

    Albert Heijn warns that ingredients and allergen information can change. So an earlier product listing isn’t enough to assess the packaging you’re buying.

    Before eating, read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.

  • Assuming an earlier product listing guarantees stock

    A taaitaai version listed for the Sinterklaas season may not be available in the same shop when your Christmas market comes around.

    Check stock shortly before buying. If you choose an alternative, check the type of chocolate and the label again.

  • Assuming a seasonal chocolate claim applies to taaitaai

    Lidl says that its seasonal chocolate around occasions including Christmas is Fairtrade-certified. This statement alone doesn’t tell you anything about a specific taaitaai version.

    Check any certification mark or origin claim on the packaging or product page of the item you want to buy.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn (huismerk)

Albert Heijn lists AH Taai taai as a classic option.

  • The product page gives you a starting point for identifying the pack you’ve chosen.
  • The listing doesn’t confirm that it contains plain or dark chocolate. Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging because product information can change.

Jumbo (huismerk)

Jumbo lists Taai Taai Melkchocolade 250 g and Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes 500 g.

  • The product names distinguish between a milk chocolate version and taaitaai figures.
  • Milk chocolate doesn’t meet a requirement for plain chocolate; check the current packaging for both versions.

ALDI (huismerk)

ALDI lists 500 g taai-taai as aniseed-flavoured biscuits in assorted shapes.

  • The listed 500 g pack gives you a specific size to consider for sharing.
  • This product listing doesn’t confirm that there’s a version with plain or dark chocolate.

PLUS (huismerk)

PLUS lists taai-taai koeken in 250 g packs and taai-taai Sint en Piet in 500 g packs.

  • The two pack sizes listed can help you choose between a smaller or larger amount to share.
  • Check availability for your Christmas market; these listings don’t confirm a plain chocolate version.

Dirk (1 de Beste)

Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai 500 g.

  • The product name specifies mini taaitaai and a pack weight of 500 g.
  • Check the packaging for the type of chocolate, ingredients and allergens in the version you’ve chosen.

Lidl (huismerk)

Lidl is a supermarket option to check for a Christmas market, but the information mentioned about seasonal chocolate doesn’t describe a specific taaitaai product.

  • Lidl says its seasonal chocolate is Fairtrade-certified around Christmas.
  • Don’t infer the type of chocolate, certification or availability of a taaitaai version from this; check the specific product.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘bitter’ mean that the chocolate in taaitaai has a high cocoa percentage?

No. You can’t infer a specific cocoa percentage from the word ‘bitter’. According to the Voedingscentrum, bitter and extra bitter chocolate often contain a lot of cocoa, but these descriptions aren’t linked to one set percentage. Check the percentage on the packaging if it will affect your choice.

Can I choose milk chocolate taaitaai if I’m looking for plain chocolate?

Only if plain chocolate isn’t essential for you. Jumbo lists taaitaai with milk chocolate in a 250 g pack, but this label doesn’t confirm that it’s plain chocolate or has a particular cocoa percentage.

What should I check if I have a food allergy?

Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact taaitaai you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains allergen labelling requirements for pre-packed foods; Albert Heijn notes that online product information can change.

When should I check taaitaai for a Christmas market?

Check availability shortly before buying for your Christmas market. A product listing from the Sinterklaas range, such as PLUS’s taai-taai Sint en Piet, doesn’t tell you whether the same version will still be available in your shop later on.