Choose classic taaitaai if you’re after its chewy texture and anise flavour. If you also want a distinct cocoa flavour when baking, look for cocoa and, if stated, the cocoa percentage of the chocolate you choose separately. Dark brown sugar in the dough isn’t cocoa. Check the ingredient and allergen information on both the taaitaai and the chocolate packaging.
If you want to pair taaitaai with dark chocolate, distinguish between cocoa in a chocolate component and dark brown sugar in the dough. Albert Heijn Allerhande’s taaitaai recipe uses dark brown sugar; that alone says nothing about the cocoa content.
If the chewy texture and anise flavour are what matter most, you can choose regular taaitaai and consider chocolate as a separate flavour addition. The ingredient lists for the regular varieties from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS include anise, but no cocoa.
Before buying, read the current packaging for both components. The regular taaitaai products mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain wheat, rye and milk protein. If you choose chocolate separately, check its own ingredient and allergen information too.
First decide whether you mainly want to taste cocoa or preserve the classic taaitaai flavour. Then check the ingredients and allergens for each component you use.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cocoa or just a dark colour | Check whether your chosen chocolate contains cocoa and whether a cocoa percentage is stated. Dark brown sugar in taaitaai doesn’t indicate cocoa. | If I’m baking for a rich chocolate flavour, I don’t want to judge by the colour of the dough alone. For around 50% of consumers, confirming the cocoa content comes first. |
| Classic flavour and texture | Check whether the taaitaai contains anise and decide whether you want to add chocolate as an extra layer of flavour. | With taaitaai, I mainly want to preserve its familiar anise flavour and chewy texture, even if I’m considering chocolate. Around 30% of consumers prioritise these classic qualities. |
| Allergens | Read the current packaging for both the taaitaai and any chocolate. Check warnings about possible traces too. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I must be able to check both packs before combining them. Checking for allergens is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Albert Heijn Allerhande’s recipe uses dark brown sugar. That ingredient doesn’t automatically make it a chocolate version.
If cocoa is important to you, check the ingredient list for the taaitaai and any chocolate component separately.
Jumbo has a product with milk chocolate in its name. The name doesn’t confirm a specific high cocoa percentage.
Check the current packaging to see which chocolate is used and whether a cocoa percentage is stated.
The regular taaitaai products mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain wheat, rye and milk protein. Any chocolate you choose separately has its own ingredient and allergen information too.
Read both packs, including any warnings about possible traces, before using the products together.
Albert Heijn offers both regular taaitaai and a home-baking recipe from Allerhande.
Jumbo offers classic Sint Taai Taai Figuurtjes and a separate product with milk chocolate in its name.
PLUS offers regular and artisan taaitaai, giving you options for comparing classic ingredients and pack sizes.
Dirk offers Mini taai taai in a 500 g pack as a regular taaitaai option.
Lidl offers dark chocolate in its Way To Go range as a separate chocolate product, not as taaitaai.
These chocolate bars aren’t taaitaai. They’re an option if you want to buy chocolate with a stated cocoa percentage to go alongside classic taaitaai. Before baking, check whether your chosen bar is suitable for the finish you have in mind.
Image unavailable
A separate chocolate option if you want to use a cocoa ingredient with your taaitaai.
The product name states 70% cocoa and a 100 g bar. Check whether it’s suitable for the finish you have in mind.
For allergen information, read the current packaging, especially if possible traces are a concern for you.
Image unavailable
A separate chocolate option if a stated cocoa percentage matters for your taaitaai.
The product name states 90% cocoa and a 100 g bar. Check whether it’s suitable for the finish you have in mind.
For allergen information, read the current packaging, especially if possible traces are a concern for you.
No. ‘Dark’ alone doesn’t confirm that it contains dark chocolate or cocoa. Albert Heijn Allerhande’s taaitaai recipe uses dark brown sugar. Read the ingredient list, and check the stated cocoa percentage on any chocolate you choose separately if it matters to your choice.
You can choose chocolate as a separate layer of flavour and select taaitaai itself for its anise flavour and the chewy texture you want. Chocolate will change the combination of flavours and ingredients, so check its label too.
Check the current ingredient and allergen information for both the taaitaai and the chocolate. The regular products mentioned from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain wheat, rye and milk protein. Also look out for warnings about possible traces on the packs you actually buy.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the product you choose. Albert Heijn advises storing its regular taaitaai in a cool, dry place and keeping it in a sealed tin after opening. Instructions may differ for other products.
