If you want to serve taaitaai at a neighbourhood get-together, choose a sharing bag or mini taaitaai biscuits that guests can help themselves to. If it’s mainly a gift for the host, a taaitaai figurine or smaller pack may be a better fit. A baking kit needs preparation, so check the ingredients, allergens and best-before date on the packaging whichever option you choose.
You want to put the taaitaai out without any preparation, so several neighbours can help themselves. Look for a sharing bag or mini taaitaai biscuits, and choose an amount that suits the number of guests and the other snacks.
You’d rather give one distinctive seasonal gift than a treat for the whole group. A figurine-shaped biscuit or smaller pack could be a good choice; check that the product is available before you set off.
You have time to bake or decorate taaitaai in advance. If you’re considering a baking kit, check which ingredients and tools you’ll need, and whether the finished biscuits are suitable for everyone who’ll be eating them.
First decide whether you want to share the taaitaai, give it as a gift or make it yourself in advance. Then check that your chosen option suits the people who’ll be there and the time you plan to serve it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Easy to share straight away | Check the net weight and whether the biscuits are easy to pick up individually. | If I put taaitaai out, I want several guests to be able to help themselves easily. For around 29% of consumers, ease of sharing is the top priority. |
| Gift presentation | Look at the shape and packaging, and decide whether you want to add a card or other finishing touch. | I want to bring the host a thoughtful gift, not just a large supply of biscuits. Gift presentation comes first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current packaging, including details of any allergens the product may contain. | When I share taaitaai with my neighbours, I need to be able to check whether the variety I’ve chosen is suitable for them. For around 36% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Making them yourself | Check the preparation time and which ingredients, tools and oven space you’ll need. | I’d rather make something personal in advance and can set aside time for it. Making them yourself is the main priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A 500 g bag can be handy for sharing, but the contents alone don’t determine how you’ll want to present the gift.
First decide whether you’re buying something to share or to give as a gift. If you’re giving something to the host, consider whether you want to add your own finishing touches to the packaging.
Ingredients vary from product to product. The PLUS biscuits examined contained wheat, rye and milk, among other ingredients; the Jumbo figurine examined was also labelled as containing soya and possibly nuts.
Before serving, read the packaging of the product you’ve bought, including any warnings about allergens it may contain. If someone has a known allergy, check with them in advance to find out what’s suitable.
Jumbo stated that its 250 g Bakkers Taaitaai Pop was no longer part of its online range. Finding a product page doesn’t necessarily mean you can buy that variety.
Check availability at your chosen shop shortly before buying, and have another suitable size in mind as a backup.
Homemade taaitaai needs to be prepared and baked, and then left to cool. That’s not ideal if you’re planning to pick up a quick treat on the way.
Choose a baking kit if you can plan to make it in advance; otherwise, take ready-made taaitaai with you.
Albert Heijn lists a Taai taai 2-pack containing two 500 g packs, as well as a separate Homemade kit for making taaitaai yourself.
Jumbo lists 500 g taaitaai figurines; the 250 g Bakkers Taaitaai Pop is a different size.
ALDI describes its 500 g taai-taai as aniseed-flavoured biscuits shaped like figurines.
PLUS lists traditional taai-taai biscuits in a 250 g bag.
A Dirk search result lists 500 g mini taaitaai biscuits.
Take a sharing bag or mini taaitaai biscuits if you want several guests to be able to help themselves straight away. A smaller bag or figurine-shaped biscuit is more suited to a gift for the host. Choose an amount that suits the number of guests and the other snacks, and check the net weight on the packaging.
Only decide based on the specific product and that person’s needs. The packaging examined listed various allergens, including wheat, rye, milk and soya. Check the current packaging and, if someone has a known allergy, ask them in advance what’s suitable.
Follow the storage advice and best-before information on the packaging you’ve chosen. For the figurine examined, Jumbo advised sealing the pack well after opening and storing it in a dark place; PLUS said to store its traditional biscuits in a cool, dry and dark place.
A baking kit is best if you have time to make the taaitaai before the get-together. Check the instructions on the kit you’ve chosen, and make sure you have the necessary ingredients, tools and oven. If you want something to serve straight away, ready-made taaitaai is more convenient.
