Which option is right for you?

If you’re sharing taaitaai

If several friends will be joining you, the net weight is a useful place to start. ALDI, Jumbo, PLUS and Dirk list 500 g options; also consider how many other sweet treats you’ll be serving.

If you’re looking for a seasonal touch

St Nicholas figures and mini taaitaai can give your coffee table a festive feel. If you’re specifically looking for a limited edition or a different flavour, check the exact product description rather than judging by its shape.

If you’re checking ingredients for guests

If you’re putting out a sharing plate, make sure the taaitaai you choose is suitable for the ingredients your guests can eat. PLUS lists wheat, rye and milk among the ingredients in its 250 g artisan bag; check the label on the pack you buy before serving.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide how much taaitaai you want to serve. Then consider the festive style separately from any limited-edition claim, and check the packaging if anyone has a relevant allergy.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Right amount Compare the net weight of the 250 g and 500 g bags with the number of people joining you and the rest of the coffee spread. If several friends want taaitaai, I want to serve enough without having lots left over. For around 42% of consumers, the quantity would be the first thing to consider.
Seasonal style Read the exact product name: a St Nicholas shape or mini version isn’t automatically a limited edition or a new flavour. For a festive coffee table, I’m mainly looking for a shape or style that suits the occasion, but I don’t want to assume it’s a limited edition. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this seasonal touch.
Ingredients and allergens Check the ingredients, allergens and any ‘may contain’ statement on the pack you buy. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the taaitaai before sharing it. This check would be the main concern for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a St Nicholas shape means it’s a limited edition

    A seasonal style tells you something about how the taaitaai is presented, but it doesn’t in itself confirm a limited run or a special flavour.

    Only choose a limited edition if the current product and its packaging explicitly say so.

  • Choosing a large bag without considering the rest of the table

    A 500 g bag may suit a group, while 250 g could be a better fit if only a few guests will eat taaitaai or there are other pastries on offer.

    Think about who’ll be eating it, then compare the net weight of the available packs.

  • Treating online allergen information as definitive

    PLUS and Albert Heijn say that product information can change. So an ingredients list you looked at earlier may not match the bag you buy.

    Before serving, read the label on that pack, including any ‘may contain’ statement. If someone has an allergy, don’t assume the product is suitable based on its shape or a previous purchase.

  • Deciding to bake your own for a last-minute coffee catch-up

    Making your own shapes or decorations also takes time, including time to prepare the dough; homemade taaitaai won’t be ready straight away.

    Check the recipe’s preparation time before deciding to bake. Choose a ready-made bag if the timing doesn’t work for your coffee catch-up.

Brands and shops to consider

ALDI

ALDI describes a 500 g bag of aniseed-flavoured taaitaai in assorted shapes.

  • The stated weight and shaped biscuits make it easier to choose something festive to share.
  • A shaped biscuit isn’t proof of a limited edition; check what’s currently available in store.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both original taaitaai in a 500 g pack and 500 g packs of St Nicholas-shaped taaitaai.

  • At the same stated weight, you can choose between the regular version and St Nicholas shapes.
  • The St Nicholas shape doesn’t in itself mean it’s a limited edition.

PLUS

PLUS lists a 500 g St Nicholas and Piet version, as well as 250 g bags of artisan taaitaai biscuits.

  • The product page for the 250 g bag includes ingredients and allergen information, giving you a starting point for comparison.
  • PLUS says product information may change, so check the label on the bag you buy.

Dirk

Dirk’s search results list a 500 g bag of mini taaitaai.

  • The combination of small shapes and a 500 g bag is clearly stated.
  • Check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and any limited-edition description.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has a product page for Bolletje taaitaai; Allerhande also has recipes for making your own.

  • This gives you a starting point for comparing ready-made taaitaai with homemade.
  • Albert Heijn warns that product information can change and advises you to check the packaging.

Lidl

Lidl’s recipe site uses mini taaitaai in a St Nicholas treat with fruit and marshmallows.

  • The recipe gives you an idea for serving mini taaitaai at a festive coffee get-together.
  • A recipe doesn’t confirm that the same taaitaai is available to buy in store.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is taaitaai automatically a limited edition around St Nicholas Day?

No. A St Nicholas shape or being part of the seasonal range doesn’t automatically mean the taaitaai is a limited edition. Check that the current product and its packaging explicitly say so.

Which allergens should I check when sharing taaitaai?

Read the allergen information on the exact pack you’re going to serve. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on food labels; PLUS’s 250 g artisan taaitaai includes wheat, rye and milk, among other ingredients. Don’t assume another version has the same ingredients.

Is online ingredients information enough if a guest has an allergy?

Use the online information to compare products in advance, but check the label on the bag you buy before serving. PLUS and Albert Heijn point out that ingredients and allergen information can change.