For sharing over coffee
If you’d like to put a biscuit on the table alongside the cake for everyone to help themselves to, taaitaai in a sharing pack is a good fit. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and ALDI list 500 g examples.
Who is each option best for?
For anyone looking for a gift
If you’re taking something along as a thank-you, a box of chocolates may be more appealing than a bag of biscuits. Albert Heijn describes its Merci Gift Box as containing individually wrapped chocolates; if you choose a different box, check that it’s just as easy to share.
For anyone who checks labels carefully
If you need to consider particular ingredients or allergens, don’t choose based on whether it’s taaitaai or chocolate alone. Compare the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you plan to serve or give as a gift.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the treat is mainly for sharing, for giving as a gift or for meeting specific dietary requirements. Then check the packaging and label of the product you’re actually buying.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Gift and choice of flavours | Check the presentation, the flavours and whether the chocolates are individually wrapped. | If I’m taking a thank-you gift, I want it to feel gift-ready and offer a choice. Around 40% of consumers prioritise gift presentation and variety. |
| Sharing over coffee | Compare the net weight and stated portions with the number of people at the table. | For a casual coffee break, I want to put out a biscuit that everyone can have a piece of. Around 30% of consumers prioritise being able to share. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings on the exact pack. | If I need to consider what someone can eat, the ingredients matter more than the gift packaging. For around 30% of consumers, checking the label is their main concern. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all taaitaai is the same
Jumbo’s regular taaitaai lists ingredients including wheat, rye and milk. The gluten-free Maître Mathis variety described by Albert Heijn lists milk and lupin, and also warns that it may contain traces of other allergens.
Read the full label on the pack you’ve chosen; the gluten-free label doesn’t answer every question about allergens.
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Giving a box of chocolates without checking the label
The Merci Gift Box described by Albert Heijn contains a selection of chocolates, including varieties with nuts. This means a single box may contain ingredients you need to consider for the recipients.
Before giving it, check the allergen information for the whole box, not just the flavours you’d choose yourself.
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Relying on an earlier seasonal listing
Some shops stock taaitaai as part of a seasonal range. So a product or pack you looked at earlier may not be available for a later coffee break.
Check the current range shortly before buying. If you choose a replacement, compare the weight and ingredients again.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Taaitaai for sharing, alongside individually sold chocolate gifts.
- Albert Heijn lists AH Taai taai in a 500 g bag, with 11 g portions. It also describes a Merci Gift Box containing individually wrapped chocolates.
- Compare the labels on these two different products; the portions and ingredients in the taaitaai tell you nothing about the box of chocolates.
Jumbo
Own-brand taaitaai in a 500 g pack.
- Jumbo lists milk, rye, wheat and gluten as allergens for De Originele Taai Taai.
- Check that the taaitaai you want is available and that the pack is suitable for everyone at the table.
PLUS
Taaitaai biscuits, with a separate chocolate category.
- The Ambachtelijke taai taai biscuits described by PLUS come in a 250 g bag.
- PLUS lists ingredients including wheat, rye and milk for these biscuits; also read the pack for warnings about possible traces.
ALDI
Figure-shaped taaitaai for a casual coffee break.
- ALDI describes a 500 g pack with aniseed flavour.
- Before choosing biscuits for others, check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack in store.
Dirk
Mini taaitaai as a potential option to serve with coffee.
- Dirk lists 1 de Beste Mini taai taai, 500 g, in its search results.
- Before buying, check the pack for portion sizes, ingredients and allergens.
Chocolate to share or give as a gift
These Joybuy products are a good fit for the chocolate options in this article: a selection to share or a chocolate gift for a coffee break. If you’d rather serve taaitaai, use the tips above to choose a suitable pack.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted, 385 g
A selection of chocolates to put on the table or take along. If you’d like everyone to have their own portion, check how many individual pieces are included, and read the label for ingredients and allergens.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift pack for anyone taking something along to a coffee break. Check the packaging to see whether the contents can be shared in the way you’d like, and check the allergen information for the recipients.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A smaller chocolate collection for a modest thank-you gift. Compare the contents with the number of people you’re buying for, and check the label if ingredients or allergens will affect your choice.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose taaitaai instead of a box of chocolates?
Choose taaitaai if you mainly want to share biscuits during a casual coffee break. If the treat is also a thank-you gift, a box of chocolates may be more suited to the occasion; check that the packaging and contents are right for the recipients.
Should I check the allergens in both options?
Yes. Check the label on both taaitaai and chocolate if you need to consider allergens. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on prepacked foods; ingredients vary by product and variety.
Is gluten-free taaitaai also free from other allergens?
No. Gluten-free doesn’t mean allergen-free. The Maître Mathis taaitaai described by Albert Heijn lists milk and lupin and warns that it may contain traces of ingredients including nuts, sesame and egg. So check the label on the exact pack.
How should I store taaitaai and a box of chocolates?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn recommends keeping its taaitaai in a cool, dry place and storing it in a sealed tin once opened; the Merci Gift Box described by Albert Heijn should be kept away from heat.