For a dessert-style film-night snack
If you’d like to serve taaitaai as a sweet treat, a milk chocolate variety is one option to consider. Check that the ingredients and allergens in the pack you choose are suitable for your guests.
Which option is right for you?
For fans of traditional taaitaai
If you’re mainly looking for aniseed flavour or shaped biscuits, don’t let words such as ‘artisan’ and ‘authentic’ make the decision for you. Check the product description, ingredients and packaging.
For anyone buying for a group
If several people will be sharing, pack size is a practical place to start. Work out how much taaitaai you’d like to serve before choosing between a smaller pack and a sharing pack.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide what kind of taaitaai you’d like to serve and how many people will be sharing it, then check the label on the pack you choose.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Dessert-style variety | Check whether you’re choosing a milk chocolate variety, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the label. | If I want to serve taaitaai as a film-night treat, a chocolate variety appeals to me more than a classic shaped biscuit. Around 31% of consumers give this dessert-style quality top priority. |
| Traditional flavour | Check the product description and ingredients; don’t treat ‘artisan’ or ‘authentic’ as a guarantee of flavour. | If you’re choosing taaitaai for its familiar aniseed flavour and shaped biscuits, you’ll want it to fit in with a traditional snack platter. For around 31% of consumers, this traditional choice comes first. |
| Pack size | Compare the weight of the packs with the amount you’d like to serve. | For an evening with several people, I don’t want to look only at the appearance of the pack; I also want to make sure there’s enough taaitaai to go round. Portion planning is the main concern for around 23% of consumers. |
| Label information | Read the allergens and ingredients on the pack you buy; compare the nutritional values per 100 g if needed. | If someone joining us needs to consider allergens or ingredients, I want to check the exact product before serving it. For around 15% of consumers, this product information is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘luxury’ or ‘artisan’ to mean a higher quality
Those words alone don’t tell you how taaitaai will taste or whether the pack is right for your film night. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says manufacturers may use terms such as ‘artisan’ as long as they aren’t misleading.
Use the description to help with your search, then compare the ingredients, pack size and nutritional information per 100 g.
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Relying only on online allergen information
Albert Heijn warns that product information can change. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that prepacked foods must list allergen information on the label.
So read the packaging of the exact product you’re buying and serving, even if you’ve looked at it online before.
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Automatically assuming a smaller pack is more luxurious
A 250 g pack and a 500 g pack contain different amounts, but weight isn’t a measure of flavour or quality. When you’re buying for a group, the amount available may be the main factor in your choice.
Work out how many people will be sharing, then compare the pack sizes of products with ingredients and allergen information that suit your group.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists regular AH Taai taai and AH Authentieke taai taai in its online range.
- The different descriptions give you a starting point for comparing varieties.
- Albert Heijn recommends checking the packaging, as ingredients and allergen information can change. ‘Authentic’ on its own isn’t proof of a more luxurious flavour.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists Taai Taai Melkchocolade in a 250 g pack and Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes in a 500 g pack.
- The product names make it easy to compare a chocolate variety with classic shaped biscuits.
- Before serving the chocolate variety to others, check its label for ingredients and allergens.
PLUS
PLUS lists Ambachtelijke taai taai koeken in a 250 g pack and Taai taai sint en piet in a 500 g pack.
- The two pack sizes give you a practical guide for choosing between a smaller platter and a larger group.
- The description ‘artisan’ doesn’t guarantee a particular flavour or quality; compare the label and contents.
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands describes its 500 g taai-taai as aniseed biscuits in shaped forms.
- The stated pack size and product shape are useful when planning a sharing platter.
- The product description doesn’t automatically make this a dessert-style or more luxurious variety.
Dirk
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai in a 500 g pack in its search results.
- The mini shape is worth considering if you’d like to serve taaitaai on a sharing platter.
- Check the packaging for ingredients and allergens; the name alone doesn’t tell you anything about flavour or quality.
Taaitaai at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is ‘artisan’ or ‘authentic’ taaitaai automatically more luxurious?
No, those words alone aren’t a reliable way to compare flavour or quality. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says manufacturers may use terms such as ‘artisan’ as long as they aren’t misleading. When choosing, check the ingredients, nutritional information and pack size.
What should I check if someone in the group has a food allergy?
Before serving, read the label on the exact pack you’ve bought, including the allergen information and any warnings about possible cross-contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products; don’t rely solely on an online product page.
How do I compare a small pack with a sharing pack?
Start by working out how much taaitaai you’d like to serve your group, then compare the pack weights. If you’d also like to compare nutritional information, use the values per 100 g, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rather than looking only at the values per portion.