If you’re mainly after the flavours of aniseed and spices, choose traditional taaitaai. The Jumbo chocolate version mentioned here contains milk chocolate, so it’s not the right choice if you specifically want dark chocolate. For a richer chocolate note, you can pair traditional taaitaai with dark chocolate bought separately. Check the ingredients and allergen information for both products, and look at the chocolate packaging for its type and cocoa percentage.
If you want a pronounced dark chocolate flavour alongside taaitaai, check the chocolate description and cocoa percentage. The Jumbo chocolate taaitaai mentioned here contains milk chocolate; you can choose dark chocolate separately if you’re putting together your own combination.
If aniseed and spices are the main attraction for you, traditional taaitaai is the natural choice. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and ALDI list these varieties, while Dirk shows a search result for mini taaitaai.
Whether you’re buying taaitaai for yourself or to share, read the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings on the packaging. The varieties described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list ingredients including wheat, rye and milk or milk protein.
Choose it when: you’re after taaitaai mainly for its spiced flavour and aniseed.
The trade-off: the traditional varieties described here won’t give you the dark chocolate note you’re looking for.
Choose it when: the Jumbo variety mentioned here suits you if you want a ready-made combination with milk chocolate.
The trade-off: milk chocolate isn’t the same as dark chocolate. Don’t assume it has a high cocoa content just because the word ‘chocolate’ appears.
Choose it when: you want to select the type of chocolate and its cocoa percentage yourself.
The trade-off: you’ll need to buy and check two separate products instead of choosing one ready-made variety.
First decide which flavour you want to take centre stage in your afternoon snack. Then check that the packaging and ingredients suit your choice.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Rich chocolate flavour | Check whether it says dark or milk chocolate, and look at the chocolate’s cocoa percentage. | If you’re looking for a richer chocolate note, don’t rely on the product name alone. For around 43% of consumers, a clearly identifiable dark chocolate flavour would be the main requirement. |
| Classic spiced flavour | Check the ingredients for aniseed and spices, and choose the shape you prefer, such as figures or mini taaitaai. | If I’m choosing taaitaai mainly for its familiar flavour, chocolate doesn’t need to feature. Around 29% of consumers would put that spiced flavour first. |
| Pack size and availability | Compare pack weights and check whether the variety is available at your chosen shop. | For a single snack, I want a pack that suits the amount I need. For around 28% of consumers, that practical consideration would matter most. |
Jumbo describes its chocolate taaitaai as a milk chocolate variety. That doesn’t mean it has the dark chocolate flavour or cocoa percentage you’re looking for.
Check the exact chocolate description on the packaging. If you want to add dark chocolate yourself, check its stated cocoa percentage too.
The traditional varieties described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list ingredients including wheat, rye and milk or milk protein. Information about possible cross-contamination can vary from product to product.
For the product you buy, check both the ingredients list and any allergen warnings, even if you’re pairing taaitaai with chocolate bought separately.
The packs described here vary in weight: PLUS lists a 250 g pack, while Albert Heijn, Jumbo and ALDI also show 500 g varieties. That difference matters if you only want a small amount.
Check the weight of the variety you choose and think about how much taaitaai you’ll need for your snack.
Albert Heijn lists AH Taai taai in a 500 g pack.
Jumbo lists traditional taaitaai figures in a 500 g pack, as well as a separate 250 g pack of taaitaai with milk chocolate.
PLUS lists artisan taai-taai biscuits in a 250 g bag.
ALDI describes its 500 g taai-taai as aniseed-flavoured biscuits in figure shapes.
Dirk shows a search result for 1 de Beste Mini taai taai in a 500 g pack.
No. The Jumbo variety mentioned here is taaitaai with milk chocolate. If dark chocolate is essential for you, check the chocolate description and cocoa percentage on the packaging of any ready-made product.
Choose dark chocolate separately, checking that its cocoa percentage is stated on the packaging, and enjoy it with ordinary taaitaai. That lets you choose the chocolate yourself, but you’ll need to check the ingredients and allergens in both products.
Read the ingredients list and any cross-contamination warnings on the current packaging. The varieties described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list ingredients including wheat, rye and milk or milk protein; other listings vary by product.
Yes, product information can change. PLUS notes this alongside its product information, so check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging you’ve actually bought before eating.
Follow the storage advice and use-by date on the packaging. The product pages for Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS recommend storing taaitaai in a cool, dry place. Albert Heijn and Jumbo also advise using a sealed tin or closing the packaging after opening.
