Fans of rich cocoa flavours
If cocoa takes centre stage for you on a night in, look beyond the word ‘chocolate’. Check whether it’s dark or milk chocolate, and what cocoa percentage is listed for the chocolate.
Which option is right for you?
Fans of classic taaitaai
If you’re mainly after a spiced, aniseed-flavoured biscuit to share, plain taaitaai is a different choice from chocolate taaitaai. The ingredient lists for the standard varieties from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS don’t mention chocolate.
Anyone who needs to check allergens
If you have a food allergy, always go by the current packaging. The standard varieties from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS mentioned here contain wheat and rye, and list milk or milk protein; warnings about possible traces vary by product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a ready-to-eat spiced biscuit or mainly want a rich chocolate element. If you’re adding the chocolate yourself, choose the taaitaai and chocolate separately.
Plain taaitaai
Best for: a night in when the spiced taaitaai itself matters more than the chocolate.
Consider: the ingredient lists for the standard varieties from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS don’t mention chocolate.
Taaitaai with milk chocolate
Best for: anyone looking for chocolate taaitaai who prefers milk chocolate.
Consider: the separate milk chocolate variety listed by Jumbo doesn’t confirm that it contains dark chocolate.
Pair it with your own dark chocolate
Best for: anyone who wants to choose the cocoa percentage listed for the chocolate.
Consider: you’ll need separate taaitaai and will need to allow for the extra preparation.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Rich cocoa flavour | Check the type of chocolate and the cocoa percentage listed; don’t rely on words such as ‘dark’ or ‘bitter’ alone. | If I mainly want to taste cocoa, the chocolate needs to suit my preferences. This is the top priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Spiced taaitaai | Check the ingredients for aniseed or spices, and choose a pack size that suits the number of people you’re serving. | For me, a TV snack is all about that familiar spiced biscuit, even without chocolate. This is the top priority for around 28% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current packaging for allergens and warnings about possible traces. | If I need to take an allergy into account, the product’s ingredients come before my taste preferences. Around 27% of consumers put this check first. |
Common mistakes
-
Confusing milk chocolate with dark chocolate
Jumbo lists a taaitaai product with milk chocolate. The product name doesn’t mean that the chocolate will suit anyone who prefers a rich, cocoa-forward flavour.
Before choosing it for this flavour, check the type of chocolate and its cocoa percentage on the current packaging.
-
Judging by the colour of the taaitaai
A dark brown biscuit doesn’t necessarily contain cocoa. The ingredient lists for the standard taaitaai from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS don’t mention chocolate.
Read the ingredient list if cocoa is the reason you’re choosing it. If you want to add chocolate yourself, choose the taaitaai and dark chocolate separately.
-
Relying on an old allergen list
The standard varieties mentioned contain milk or milk protein and cereals containing gluten. Warnings about possible traces can vary from one product to another.
If you have an allergy, check the packaging of the product you’re actually going to eat, even if you’ve already looked at the information online.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists both its own-brand AH taaitaai and a separate Bolletje product.
- The ingredient list for AH standard taaitaai lets you check what’s in it before you buy.
- This standard variety doesn’t list chocolate; check the current packaging for allergens too.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists plain taaitaai in a 500 g pack and Jumbo Taai Taai Melkchocolade separately in a 250 g pack.
- The product names distinguish the plain biscuit from the milk chocolate variety.
- Milk chocolate doesn’t mean it’s dark chocolate; check the packaging to make sure the ingredients are what you want.
PLUS
PLUS lists traditional taai-taai biscuits in a 250 g pack.
- The ingredient list mentions aniseed, among other things, and lets you check for allergens.
- The ingredient list for this variety doesn’t mention chocolate.
ALDI
ALDI describes its 500 g taai-taai as aniseed biscuits in shaped designs.
- The product description is useful if you’re specifically looking for aniseed biscuits.
- Check the packaging if cocoa or a particular allergen will determine your choice.
Dirk
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai in a 500 g pack.
- The product listing makes it clear that these are mini taaitaai biscuits.
- Read the packaging for ingredients and allergens before deciding whether this variety is right for you.
Lidl
Lidl features mini taai-taai in a recipe and lists dark chocolate separately in its Way To Go range.
- The separate listings may help if you want to pair taaitaai with chocolate yourself.
- The recipe and chocolate bar don’t make a ready-made dark chocolate taaitaai product.
Dark chocolate to pair with taaitaai
These Joybuy products are bars of dark chocolate, not taaitaai. They’re a good fit if you want to choose your own chocolate element. Buy the taaitaai separately and check that the bar is suitable for how you plan to use it.
Image unavailable
Lindt Excellence 90% Cocoa Supreme Dark, 100 g
For anyone who wants to pair taaitaai with chocolate labelled as having a cocoa percentage of 90%.
This is a 100 g chocolate bar, not taaitaai. You’ll need a separate taaitaai base, and should check the current packaging for allergens.
Image unavailable
Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate, 100 g
For anyone who wants to pair taaitaai with chocolate labelled as having a cocoa percentage of 70%.
This is a 100 g chocolate bar, not taaitaai. Buy the taaitaai separately and check the current packaging for allergens.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘dark’ or ‘extra bitter’ prove that chocolate taaitaai contains a lot of cocoa?
No. Those words don’t give you a specific cocoa percentage on their own. If it matters to your choice, check the packaging for the percentage listed for the chocolate.
Which allergens should I check in taaitaai?
At the very least, check the current information for cereals containing gluten and milk: the standard varieties from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS mentioned here contain wheat and rye, and list milk or milk protein. Also check the specific packaging for warnings about possible traces. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.
Can I rely on a supermarket website for allergen information?
Use online information to compare products, but if you have an allergy, also read the packaging of the product you’re going to eat. Albert Heijn and PLUS point out that product information can change.
How should I store an opened bag of taaitaai?
Store the taaitaai in a cool, dry place, following the advice for the products mentioned by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS. Albert Heijn recommends storing its taaitaai in a sealed tin once opened.