Fans of a distinct cocoa flavour
You want a dark chocolate flavour with your taaitaai, and to be able to check the cocoa content. Choosing a separate bar lets you verify the percentage, without pretending the bar itself is taaitaai.
Who is this choice for?
Fans of classic taaitaai
You want the chewy texture and aniseed flavour to take centre stage on your drinks platter. The biscuits don’t need to be coated in chocolate.
Consumers who read labels carefully
You want to check the ingredients and allergens in both the taaitaai and any chocolate separately, including relevant warnings about possible cross-contamination.
What matters when choosing taaitaai for drinks?
Plain taaitaai
Choose this: if the chewy texture and aniseed flavour are your priorities.
The trade-off: this option doesn’t add a chocolate flavour on its own.
Taaitaai with milk chocolate
Choose this: if you want chocolate on the taaitaai itself and dark chocolate isn’t a must.
The trade-off: Jumbo describes its chocolate version as milk chocolate taaitaai, not dark chocolate taaitaai.
Taaitaai served with dark chocolate
Choose this: if you want to select your own bar with a stated minimum cocoa content.
The trade-off: you’re combining two separate products; the chocolate isn’t on the taaitaai.
| What to consider | What to look for | Especially relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa flavour | Look for a clearly stated minimum cocoa content on the separate chocolate packaging; don’t rely on the flavour name alone. | I want to choose which dark chocolate to serve with my taaitaai. For around 50% of consumers, being able to check the cocoa content comes first. |
| Classic texture and flavour | Check that you’re choosing plain taaitaai rather than a chocolate version, and read the ingredients if you’re looking for aniseed. | I want the chewy biscuit and aniseed flavour to be recognisable on my drinks platter; for around 30% of consumers, this matters most. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current packaging for each product, including any relevant warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If I serve taaitaai and chocolate together, I want to know what’s in both. Checking the labels is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
What should you look out for?
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Mistaking milk chocolate taaitaai for a dark chocolate version
Jumbo describes its chocolate-coated taaitaai as a milk chocolate product. That name doesn’t mean it has a high cocoa content.
If you’re looking for a specific cocoa percentage, check the information on the chocolate packaging rather than making assumptions based on the coating.
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Relying on words such as ‘bitter’ or ‘extra bitter’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, these flavour descriptions don’t correspond to a set percentage of cocoa or cocoa butter.
Compare the stated minimum cocoa content and read the ingredients list too.
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Reading only the online product description
The allergens present and any warnings about possible cross-contamination depend on the product you choose.
Check the physical packaging of both the taaitaai and the chocolate before serving them.
Brands and shops to explore
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists Lindt Excellence 85% dark chocolate as a separate bar to serve with taaitaai.
- This bar is labelled as containing at least 85% cocoa.
- A separate chocolate bar isn’t taaitaai with a chocolate coating; check the two labels separately.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists plain taaitaai, Taai Taai Melkchocolade and separate dark chocolate bars.
- Jumbo states that its Jumbo Puur Chocolade contains at least 52% cocoa solids.
- Jumbo Taai Taai Melkchocolade is not the same product as a bar of dark chocolate.
ALDI
ALDI describes a 500 g pack of taai-taai with aniseed flavour.
- A straightforward choice if you’re looking for plain taai-taai.
- Consider your preference for dark chocolate separately; the taai-taai described isn’t a specified chocolate version.
PLUS
PLUS lists, among other things, artisan taai-taai biscuits in 250 g bags.
- The product name and pack size can help you choose plain taai-taai.
- Don’t assume from the name that it has a chocolate coating or a particular cocoa content.
Dirk
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai 500 g in its search results.
- The listing identifies a mini version and gives the pack size.
- Check the product label for ingredients and any chocolate; the search listing doesn’t confirm these details.
Lidl
Lidl Recipes uses mini-taai-taai as an ingredient in a recipe.
- It gives you an idea for serving mini-taai-taai.
- A recipe doesn’t tell you what’s in the product you buy; check the packaging for that.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does extra-bitter chocolate always have a certain cocoa content?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the description ‘extra bitter’ doesn’t correspond to a set percentage of cocoa or cocoa butter. If it’s important to your choice, look for the clearly stated minimum cocoa content.
Which allergens should I check in taaitaai for drinks?
Check the allergens on every pack, even if you’re serving chocolate separately. Jumbo lists gluten, milk, rye and wheat for its Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes; this product information doesn’t automatically apply to other taaitaai or chocolate bars.
Should I also read warnings about possible cross-contamination?
Yes. If allergens are relevant to your choice, read any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the packaging too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority outlines the Dutch rules for these warnings, which have been in force since 1 January 2026.
How should I store taaitaai and dark chocolate before serving?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of each product you choose. Jumbo’s taaitaai and dark chocolate bars are described as needing to be kept in a cool, dry place.