A biscuit mystery has erupted at Aldi Australia, leaving shoppers confused and disappointed after a beloved sweet snack appears to have vanished from shelves. The controversy centres on the disappearance of Belmont Biscuit Co.'s European Spiced Speculaas biscuits, with customers mistakenly believing they had been replaced by a similarly named but entirely different product.
The Shopper's Discovery
An Australian woman shared her dismay in an online forum, revealing she hadn't seen her favourite biscuits for months. "I'm gutted as I suspect Aldi has discontinued my favourite biccies: European Spiced Speculaas," she wrote, posting a picture of the product. Her suspicion seemed confirmed when she recently spotted Belmont Biscuit Co.'s Speculoos Biscuits 250g, priced at $2.99, in the biscuit aisle.
A Costly Mistake
"I bought a pack of the Speculoos thinking it was just a change in packaging," she explained. However, after tasting them, she realised the Speculoos were "completely inferior." She added, "I was horrified by the sugary biscuit in place of the exquisite spice of the Speculaas." This prompted her to research, uncovering that Speculaas and Speculoos are two distinct European biscuit varieties.
Key Differences:
- Speculaas are Dutch spiced biscuits, known for their crisp texture and deep caramel flavour.
- Speculoos are Belgian caramelised biscuits, often recognised as Biscoff.
Widespread Confusion
The woman questioned if Aldi was aware of this discrepancy, speculating it seemed as though they had simply "replaced the one with the other." Her post ignited a flurry of responses, with many confirming the Speculaas had been discontinued. Aldi's website lists the item as "currently not available," and fellow biscuit connoisseurs expressed their sadness.
Replies included:
- "No, this is terrible. I wish I'd stocked up!"
- "Haven't seen them either for a very long time so they must be discontinued."
- "We should let Aldi know they're missed."
Similar Packaging Adds to Mix-Up
Others admitted to being similarly confused by the Speculoos, presuming it was a new version of Speculaas due to the akin name and packaging. One person noted, "I used to love buying them but I didn't know they changed the recipe. I'm p***ed off." Another agreed, "The texture was different," highlighting the widespread misunderstanding.
Historical Context of Biscuit Names
Speculaas, also known as spekulaas, are traditional Dutch, Belgian, and German spiced shortcrust biscuits, often enjoyed during festive seasons or year-round with coffee or tea. In contrast, Speculoos are thin, crunchy, caramelised Belgian biscuits. In 2020, the Lotus biscuit brand controversially renamed its Speculoos biscuits to Biscoff—a blend of "biscuit" and "coffee"—to make them more accessible internationally and avoid confusion with Speculaas.
Aldi's Product Descriptions
Aldi's website further clarifies the difference: the Spiced Speculaas Biscuits are described as "traditional European spiced cookies, perfect for a snack any time of the day," while the Speculoos Biscuits are labelled as "crunchy biscuits with a caramelised taste and a hint of cinnamon."
Alternative Options
Some Reddit replies noted that other brands of Speculaas biscuits, such as The Dutch Company Speculaas Spiced Cookies, are available in major supermarkets like Coles, typically in the international foods section. A 450g pack is priced at $6.50, offering a substitute for disappointed shoppers.
Daily Mail contacted an Aldi spokesperson for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication. The incident underscores the importance of clear product labelling and customer communication in retail environments.
