HEMA Sinterklaas 2014 snacks

Before the Christmas celebrations starts, here in the Netherlands we also have Sinterklaas on 5 December. On this day, we open the small presents that we received in our shoes and eat a lot of traditional snacks. I happened to visit the Schiphol airport last week and I brought back a lot of delicious goodies that I found at the HEMA store there.

I was really impressed by the selection in that small airport store and I could not believe that they had the same prices and discounts as in a normal HEMA store, outside of the airport. It is great that more and more airport stores and restaurants are starting to understand that it is better for business to not rip tourists off with highly marked up prices. Although I feel a bit sad that the airport supermarket that used to sell goods from worldwide is replaced by a normal Albert Heijn supermarket, it is great that airport employees can now get last-minute groceries and tourists can try out typical Dutch supermarket products for a low price. One of the must-go places when I go abroad, is the local supermarket to check out products that I don't have back home and often, I can find a lot of delicious cookies and candies that can very well suit as souvenirs. So, I can imagine how great it is to find a local supermarket right on the airport, when you have a short stopover or when you have gone to the airport well ahead of time. I also heard the news of a M&M's store that is soon to open on Schiphol airport in 2015. I have never been to the M&M's store in New York or the one in London before, so it is great that I can combine it with a visit to Amsterdam in a few months.   

Before I ramble on any longer, let's check out the HEMA Sinterklaas snacks.


HEMA Sinterklaas 2014 snacks




 HEMA Roomboter Speculaasstaaf en Banketstaaf

Right when I entered the HEMA store, I saw these freshly baked Speculaasstaaf en Banketstaaf. They smelled so good that I had to buy them. There was a deal that you could get 2 for €3.50. Normally, you pay €2.25 each. I found it quite nice that it was not only valid in the normal HEMA stores, but also in the HEMA airport store. 

HEMA gevulde speculaas

My favorite is the HEMA Banketstaaf, which has a crispy puff pastry outer layer and an almond paste filling. 

HEMA bladerdeeg met amandelvulling staaf

The Speculaasstaaf tasted quite nice with a crumbly, speculaas cake, outer layer and a crunchy almond on top, but the speculaas spices that were used are not the ones that I am used to and I don't like the blend as much. If you buy this as a souvenir, it is better to get the Banketstaaf as the Speculaasstaaf really has a distinct flavor that not everyone might like, while I don't know that many people that dislike puff pastry and almond paste.

HEMA speculaasstaaf


 HEMA gevulde speculaas

The gevulde speculaas that I bought has a similar taste as the before mentioned Speculaasstaaf, but as it is properly sealed and in a flat shape, it is easier to take along in your luggage as a souvenir.


HEMA gevulde speculaas

HEMA gevulde speculaas stukjes

 HEMA Chocolade kruidnoten mix

In the HEMA stores, you can easily find bowls filled with these HEMA chocolate kruidnoten for you to freely taste. Kruidnoten are small, dome-shaped, crunchy cookies made with speculaas spices. These are a special version, dipped in white, milk, and dark chocolate. After tasting one of the white chocolate ones, I was tempted into buying a bag.   

HEMA Chocolade kruidnoten mix
HEMA Chocolade kruidnoten: wit, melk en puur.


I personally like the white chocolate kruidnoten the most as the milky sweet flavor and the kruidnoten flavor can both be clearly distinguished, while the milk and dark chocolate flavor blends with the kruidnoten flavor and becomes less noticeable.


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