For a group at the Sinterklaas procession, a 500 g bag of taaitaai is a good starting point. For a smaller group, or if you’re serving other sweets too, a smaller pack may be a better fit. Check the label before sharing: the regular varieties listed contain ingredients including wheat, rye and milk, while a gluten-free variety may still contain other allergens.
You want to serve taaitaai to family, visitors or at a neighbourhood gathering. The pack size and portion guidance can help you decide whether one pack will suit the group and the other sweets you’re serving.
Wheat, rye, milk or other listed allergens may be important for someone in your group. Even when taaitaai is labelled gluten-free, it’s still important to check the full allergen information.
If your group is small or there are already other Sinterklaas sweets on the table, a smaller pack may be a better fit for sharing than a 500 g bag.
A good fit when: several people will be sharing taaitaai and no dietary requirement is a deciding factor.
Consider: the regular products listed contain gluten-containing cereals and milk; a 500 g bag may leave leftovers for a small group.
A good fit when: you’re buying for a small group or serving other sweets too. PLUS lists a 250 g bag of artisan taaitaai, among other options.
Consider: with a smaller pack, you’ll need to judge again whether there’ll be enough for everyone to have some.
A good fit when: someone in your group needs to eat gluten-free and the current label also suits their other dietary requirements.
Consider: Maître Mathis gluten-free taaitaai at Albert Heijn lists milk and lupin, and may contain nuts, sesame seeds and egg.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount to share | Check the net weight and any portion guidance. For its 500 g bag, Albert Heijn lists 45 portions of 11 g; for its 500 g figurines, Jumbo lists around 36 portions of 14 g. The actual number of portions depends on how much you hand out. | If several people are sharing the same bag, I mainly want to know whether there’ll be enough. Having enough to share is a top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Leftovers | Choose a bag size to suit your group and any other Sinterklaas sweets you’re serving; for example, compare a 250 g bag with a 500 g one. | For a small group, I don’t want to serve more taaitaai than we’re likely to eat. Around 27% of consumers prioritise avoiding leftovers. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any cross-contamination warnings, including for gluten-free varieties. | If someone in the group needs to avoid certain ingredients, a suitable label matters more than the bag size. Checking allergens is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Availability and storage | Check the current range, best-before date and storage instructions on the pack shortly before the procession. | If I’m buying ahead or expect to have some left over, I want to know which variety is available and how to store it. This is a key consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
A sharing bag works well for several people, but may be too large for a small group with other sweets on the table.
Estimate how many people will want taaitaai, then see whether a smaller pack will be enough.
The regular varieties listed contain ingredients including wheat, rye and milk. A gluten-free product name doesn’t tell you whether other allergens are present.
Before sharing, check the ingredients and allergen information on the physical pack, including any cross-contamination warnings.
A product listing doesn’t tell you which taaitaai will be available at your local shop when you do your shopping.
Check the current range shortly before the procession and, if needed, have an alternative in mind in the same pack size.
Albert Heijn lists regular 500 g taaitaai, a multipack containing two separate 500 g bags, and gluten-free Sinterklaas options.
Jumbo lists Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes in a 500 g pack.
PLUS lists a regular 500 g bag of mini taaitaai and a 250 g pack of artisan taaitaai.
ALDI lists 500 g of figure-shaped taai-taai with aniseed flavour.
Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai in a 500 g pack.
Use the net weight and portion guidance to help you plan, rather than as a fixed amount per person. For its 500 g bag, Albert Heijn lists 45 portions of 11 g; for its 500 g figurines, Jumbo lists around 36 portions of 14 g. Remember to allow for any other sweets you’re serving too.
Don’t assume it is: the regular products listed by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain wheat, rye and milk or milk protein. Maître Mathis gluten-free taaitaai at Albert Heijn lists milk and lupin, and may contain nuts, sesame seeds and egg. Always check the label on the pack you choose.
For pre-packed taaitaai, read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority lists 14 allergens that must be declared on the label; check for any cross-contamination warnings too.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you bought. Albert Heijn advises storing its taaitaai in a cool, dry place and keeping it in a sealed tin after opening; Jumbo advises storing it in a cool, dry place, while PLUS recommends a cool, dry and dark place.
