For a small giveaway, a 500 g bag of taaitaai is a practical starting point. If you expect more visitors, several bags of the same variety will give you more to hand out. Smaller biscuits or a shaped biscuit are a good choice when presentation matters more than equal portions. Whatever you choose, check the label, storage instructions and availability around the time of the Christmas market.
If you want to take a manageable amount of stock and avoid having much left over, a 500 g bag is a good starting point. Jumbo lists around 36 portions of 14 g for its 500 g St Nicholas taaitaai figures; don’t use this as a guide for other varieties.
If you expect a steady stream of visitors, you can spread several bags of the same variety across different handout times. Albert Heijn’s three-pack of taaitaai contains three separate bags.
If you want to be able to tell visitors which allergens a biscuit contains, check the label on the bag you actually buy. For the varieties described, Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list ingredients including wheat, rye or milk; any information about other allergens varies by product.
Best for: a small stall or a treat alongside other offerings.
Consider: one bag is easy to carry, but may not be enough if lots of people visit.
Best for: handing out treats to a larger group or at several different times.
Consider: Albert Heijn’s three-pack comes as separate bags, not as individually wrapped portions to hand out.
Best for: a smaller group or a display where the shape stands out.
Consider: a large shaped biscuit needs to be handed out differently from small individual biscuits.
When choosing taaitaai for a Christmas market, the main factors are how much you need, the label and how you want to present it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Stock to share | Compare the net weight with the number of visitors you expect. Use a stated portion count only for the specific variety it refers to. | For a small stall, I want enough to hand out without having lots left over. Around 42% of consumers prioritise portions that are easy to share. |
| Allergens and labelling | Read the label on the pack you’ve bought and keep the allergen information available when handing out the biscuits. | If visitors ask about ingredients, I want to be able to check the pack I’m using; around 33% of consumers give label checks top priority. |
| Biscuit shape | Consider whether individual biscuits or a larger shaped biscuit suit the way you want to display and hand them out. | When the treat is on display at the stall, I want to choose a shape that works well. Presentation is the deciding factor for around 25% of consumers. |
The varieties described from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list cereals containing gluten and milk. Information about other allergens varies by product, so the name taaitaai alone doesn’t tell you enough.
Check the current label for every variety you use. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for pre-packed products must appear on the label. For unpackaged products, it must be provided to consumers in another way.
The taaitaai described here is included in St Nicholas and Sinterklaas ranges. That doesn’t mean the same pack will be available from your chosen shop around the time of a Christmas market.
Check the range shortly before you shop, and choose an amount that takes account of the pack’s shelf life and your storage options.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, biscuits can become soft, stale or dry if they’re stored incorrectly. The instructions on the product packaging remain important for the variety you’re using.
Keep your stock well sealed and top up a serving bowl as needed. Store the rest according to the instructions on the pack.
Albert Heijn lists 500 g bags of taaitaai, as well as a three-pack supplied as separate items.
Jumbo lists 500 g packs of St Nicholas taaitaai figures and a 250 g taaitaai doll.
ALDI lists 500 g packs of taai-taai in its St Nicholas range.
PLUS lists artisan taai-taaikoeken in a 250 g bag.
Dirk’s search results list 500 g packs of mini taai-taai.
Lidl uses mini taai-taai in a Sinterklaas recipe, which may give you an idea for presenting a treat.
Base the amount on the number of visitors you expect and the portions you want to hand out. A 500 g bag is a good starting point. Jumbo lists around 36 portions of 14 g for its 500 g St Nicholas taaitaai figures, but this figure doesn’t automatically apply to other taaitaai products.
Use the allergen information on the pack you’re actually handing out. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information must appear on the label of pre-packed products. For unpackaged products, it must be provided to consumers in another way. The varieties described from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list ingredients including cereals containing gluten and milk.
Keep opened taaitaai well sealed and follow the storage instructions on the pack. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing biscuits in a cool, dry, dark place; it’s better to top up a serving bowl as needed than to leave all your stock out in the open.
Don’t assume a particular pack will be available around Christmas without checking. The supermarket products described are included in St Nicholas and Sinterklaas ranges, so check shortly before you buy whether your chosen shop has the variety you want.
