Choose a box of chocolates if you want to share something with your coffee or take a thoughtful gift with you. Individually wrapped chocolates need less preparation; pralines can be served on a platter. Taaitaai is a good choice when you’re looking for a traditional seasonal biscuit, rather than a substitute for a chocolate gift.
A box of individually wrapped chocolates makes a thoughtful gift to take with you, or an easy treat to offer guests without a platter. If the box contains different varieties, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Compare the contents of the boxes and decide whether you’d like to serve loose pralines on a platter or hand out individually wrapped pieces. The packaging weight alone won’t tell you how many pieces are inside.
Taaitaai could be just the treat for a coffee break with a Sinterklaas or festive-season feel. Albert Heijn describes its taaitaai as a seasonal product; it’s a biscuit, not a box of chocolates.
Choose these: if you want to share them without a serving platter or take a thoughtful gift with you.
Bear in mind: the ingredients can vary from one chocolate to another in an assortment box.
Choose these: if you want to serve chocolate on a platter and the fillings matter to you.
Bear in mind: ingredients and storage advice can vary from box to box.
Choose this: if you specifically want to serve a traditional seasonal biscuit with your coffee.
Bear in mind: this isn’t a chocolate gift to give or share.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing and gifting | Check how many pieces are in the box and whether they’re individually wrapped. | Want to take a thoughtful gift with you or offer guests something without portioning it first? Around 33% of consumers prioritise sharing or gifting. |
| Enough for everyone | Compare the packaging weight and the number of pieces, if it’s stated on the packaging. | If you’re hosting several people, you’ll want to work out how to divide up the contents. Around 33% of consumers prioritise having enough for everyone. |
| Fillings and ingredients | Read the current ingredients and allergens list; if you’re choosing pralines, check whether alcohol is listed too. | If guests have different preferences or a known allergy, you’ll want to know what you’re serving. Around 20% of consumers give fillings and ingredients top priority. |
| Seasonal biscuit | Decide whether you’re looking for taaitaai rather than chocolate, and read the storage and allergen information. | If you’re planning a traditional coffee break, you might be looking specifically for a biscuit. Taaitaai is the main choice for around 14% of consumers. |
Taaitaai is a seasonal biscuit; chocolates and chocolate gift boxes serve a different purpose when you want to offer a choice of flavours or take something with you.
Before comparing products, decide whether you’re looking for a traditional biscuit or chocolate to enjoy with your coffee.
A box might contain loose pralines or individually wrapped chocolates. The weight alone won’t tell you how many portions you can share.
If you’re buying for several guests, check the weight, number of pieces and whether they’re individually wrapped.
The boxes reviewed vary in their ingredients and allergens. PLUS also lists 0.3% alcohol in its Belchic cream pralines.
Read the label on the box you’re actually serving, and keep the packaging handy in case guests want to check the ingredients.
Storage conditions vary by product. For the Belchic cream pralines reviewed, PLUS recommends storing them in a cool, dry place at 14–18 °C.
Follow the advice on the packaging, even if you buy the box before your coffee break.
These examples show how the ranges reviewed differ. Always check the details of your chosen box before buying.
Chocolate assortments for sharing or taking as a thoughtful gift.
ALDI own-brand range, including Belgian chocolates and truffles.
Cream pralines that you can serve on a platter with coffee.
A mixed box with small portions from a range of chocolate brands.
These boxes of chocolates are suited to sharing or gifting over coffee. If you’re specifically looking for taaitaai, that’s a different product choice. When choosing a box, consider its contents, the occasion and the label.
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A chocolate assortment to share over coffee. Check how many pieces are inside if you want to offer something individually to each guest.
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Pralines to take to a birthday celebration where coffee will be served. The birthday design makes the packaging less suitable for an occasion that isn’t a birthday.
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A chocolate selection for anyone who’d like to serve something with coffee. The pack contains 173 g; check the label for the ingredients in your chosen variety.
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A chocolate gift to take with you or share over coffee. Check how the chocolates are divided up in the pack if you want to offer everyone an individual piece.
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A small chocolate gift to enjoy with coffee. Check how many pieces are in the pack if you’re sharing with several guests.
Yes, if you specifically want to serve a traditional seasonal biscuit with your coffee. If you’re looking for chocolate to give as a gift or share, taaitaai doesn’t serve the same purpose; Albert Heijn describes the variety reviewed as taaitaai for the festive season.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the exact box you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on the label. Don’t rely on the ingredients of a different variety or a box you bought previously.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of your chosen product. For the Belchic cream pralines reviewed, PLUS recommends storing them in a cool, dry place at 14–18 °C; the advice may not be the same for every box of chocolates.
Check availability at the store you plan to visit. For one merci box reviewed, PLUS indicates that a product may not be available at every selected store.
