Families shopping for several occasions
If one bag will be shared at different times, the pack size and storage instructions after opening are important.
For sharing across several family snack times, a 500 g bag may be a good fit; choose a smaller bag if 350 g is enough. Check the ingredients to see whether the flavour suits you: ‘dark’ doesn’t necessarily mean that the taaitaai contains cocoa. If you’re buying for the family, check the allergen information on the chosen pack too.
If one bag will be shared at different times, the pack size and storage instructions after opening are important.
If you use ‘dark’ to mean a stronger flavour, look at the aniseed and spices. If you’re expecting cocoa, check the ingredients list separately.
The Albert Heijn and PLUS varieties described here list ingredients including wheat, rye and milk derivatives. Check the current label on each product you choose, including any ‘may contain’ statements.
First decide how much taaitaai you want to buy. Then check that the ingredients match the flavour you’re after, and read the allergen and nutritional information on the specific pack.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size | Compare the weight of the bag with how much you’ll need for several occasions. The options described include 350 g and 500 g bags. | If we’re sharing the taaitaai on different occasions, I want a bag that suits how much we’ll eat. For around 42% of consumers, having enough in stock is the most important factor. |
| Flavour and cocoa | Check the ingredients list for aniseed and spices; if cocoa is a must, look specifically for cocoa or cocoa mass. | I want to know whether ‘dark’ refers to a spicy flavour or whether the product actually contains cocoa. This flavour question comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Label and storage | Check the allergens, sugars per 100 g or per serving, and the storage instructions for the pack you choose. | When the family is sharing a bag, I want to be able to check the allergens before buying and know how to store the rest. For around 25% of consumers, checking the label and portions is the top priority. |
The regular taaitaai varieties described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS don’t list cocoa in their ingredients. Nor does using a dark-coloured sugar in a recipe prove that a packaged product contains cocoa.
Is cocoa a deciding factor for you? Check whether cocoa or cocoa mass appears on the label of that exact variety.
Ingredients and allergens vary from product to product. The Albert Heijn and PLUS varieties described here list ingredients including wheat, rye and milk derivatives; choosing a larger bag doesn’t change that information.
Read the current allergen and nutritional information on the pack you choose, and check the storage instructions once it’s open.
Albert Heijn describes a 350 g bag of AH Taai taai. In a separate recipe, Albert Heijn names aniseed as a characteristic flavouring.
Jumbo describes a 500 g bag of traditional taaitaai and also provides a recipe with honey and speculaas spices.
ALDI describes a 500 g pack of taai-taai as aniseed biscuits in assorted shapes.
PLUS describes a 500 g bag of taaitaai, as well as a separate 250 g variety.
Dirk lists a 500 g pack of 1 de Beste Mini taai taai.
No, you can’t tell that from the word ‘dark’. The regular products described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS don’t list cocoa; if cocoa is a must for you, check the ingredients list for the variety you want to buy.
Check the current label on the pack you choose. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products; also read any ‘may contain’ statements.
Store taaitaai in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Follow the storage instructions on the pack too, and check the contents for mould or signs of drying out.
Not if you expect 350 g to be enough. Choose a bag size based on how much you want to use on different occasions and how you can store the rest once opened.