Which option is right for you?

Coffee drinkers looking for cocoa

If you want the biscuit to have a clear cocoa flavour alongside your coffee, don’t judge it by its colour. Check the ingredients and, if the amount of cocoa matters to you, the stated cocoa percentage.

Fans of spiced taaitaai

If you’re after aniseed, spices and taaitaai’s distinctive chewy bite, a classic version could be just right, even without chocolate. Jumbo lists aniseed and cinnamon in its Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes.

Home bakers and dessert makers

You can use pieces of taaitaai in a pudding, as in a PLUS recipe. If you’re baking your own, remember to allow time for preparation: Rutger Bakt’s recipe calls for the dough to rest for a day.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want a spiced biscuit, a chocolate version or a homemade finish. Then check the ingredients and texture for the coffee break or dessert you have in mind.

Classic taaitaai

A good choice if: you want a sweet, spiced biscuit with a chewy bite to enjoy with your coffee.

Keep in mind: the classic versions mentioned from AH, Jumbo and PLUS don’t list cocoa in their ingredients.

Taaitaai with milk chocolate

A good choice if: a milk chocolate version is what you’re looking for to enjoy with coffee or cake; Jumbo lists a 250 g version.

Keep in mind: ‘milk chocolate’ in the product name doesn’t confirm that it contains dark chocolate or a high cocoa percentage.

Homemade taaitaai

A good choice if: you want to choose the ingredients and add a dark finish if you wish.

Keep in mind: allow time for preparation; Rutger Bakt’s taaitaai recipe calls for the dough to rest for a day.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this important to?
Dark cocoa flavour Look for cocoa or dark chocolate in the ingredients list. Check the cocoa percentage if you need a high cocoa content. I want a distinct cocoa flavour with my coffee, not just a spiced biscuit that looks dark. For around 42% of consumers, a clearly stated cocoa content is the priority.
Spices and texture Check which spices are listed and consider whether the chewy texture is right for eating as it is. With my coffee, I’m looking for aniseed, spices and a chewy bite, rather than chocolate. For around 33% of consumers, this classic combination matters most.
Using it in a dessert Choose an amount that suits your recipe and check the allergens in both the biscuit and the other ingredients. I want to be able to cut and use the biscuit in a pudding or cake-style dessert, even if that means preparing it first. For around 25% of consumers, using it in a recipe is the main reason for choosing taaitaai.

Common pitfalls

  • Assuming a dark colour means lots of cocoa

    Dark brown sugar can give a recipe its colour. So dark taaitaai doesn’t necessarily contain cocoa; the classic supermarket versions mentioned don’t list it in their ingredients.

    Check the ingredients and look for a stated cocoa percentage if the amount of cocoa is an important factor in your choice.

  • Assuming milk chocolate is the same as dark chocolate

    The name Jumbo Taai Taai Milk Chocolate 250 g indicates a different version from classic taaitaai, but it doesn’t in itself tell you whether it has a high cocoa percentage.

    Before choosing, check the current packaging to see which type of chocolate and which allergens are listed.

  • Skipping the allergen information

    The products mentioned from AH, Jumbo and PLUS include wheat, rye and milk or milk protein in their product information. Some versions also mention possible traces of other allergens.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack, especially if you’re combining the biscuit with other dessert ingredients.

  • Expecting a soft, cake-like bite from a chewy biscuit

    Taaitaai has a different texture from soft cake. That’s why the PLUS taaitaai pudding recipe calls for the biscuit to be cut into cubes or thin pieces before being used.

    Enjoy the biscuit as it is with coffee if you want a chewy bite; for a softer dessert, follow a recipe that explains how to prepare it.

    A pudding or another dessert made with taaitaai will require extra ingredients and preparation time.

Brands to consider

These product ranges give you an idea of the ingredients and versions you might come across; always check the specific pack.

AH

AH Taai taai is a classic 500 g version.

  • For this version, Albert Heijn lists ingredients including wheat, rye, spices and milk protein.
  • Cocoa isn’t included in the listed ingredients. Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging, as product information may change.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both classic Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes in a 500 g pack and a separate 250 g Taai Taai Milk Chocolate version.

  • For the classic figures, Jumbo lists aniseed, cinnamon, wheat, rye and milk protein.
  • The milk chocolate version’s name doesn’t confirm that it contains dark chocolate or a high cocoa percentage; check the packaging for details.

PLUS

PLUS lists products including artisan taaitaai in a 250 g pack and a 500 g Sint-en-Piet version.

  • For these versions, the product information lists ingredients including wheat, rye, sugar, aniseed and milk protein.
  • Cocoa isn’t included in the ingredient lists mentioned. Check the allergens and any ‘may contain’ information on the pack you choose, too.

Taaitaai on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does dark-coloured taaitaai automatically contain lots of cocoa?

No, the colour doesn’t prove how much cocoa it contains. An Albert Heijn recipe uses dark brown sugar, while the classic products mentioned from AH, Jumbo and PLUS don’t list cocoa in their ingredients. Check the packaging if cocoa or a particular cocoa percentage matters to you.

Which allergens should I check in taaitaai?

Always check the ingredients and allergens on the specific pack. The products mentioned list ingredients including wheat, rye and milk or milk protein; some versions also mention possible traces of allergens such as egg or nuts.

Can I use taaitaai in a dessert with a softer texture?

Yes, as long as you prepare the biscuit according to a suitable recipe. A PLUS pudding recipe uses taaitaai cut into cubes or thin pieces, which are then prepared with other ingredients. Remember to check the allergens in those ingredients, too.

How should I store taaitaai?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. Albert Heijn and Jumbo recommend keeping their versions in a cool, dry place; Albert Heijn advises storing the biscuit in a sealed tin once opened.