Hagelslag (Dutch pronunciation:[ˈɦaːɣəlˌslɑx],lit. 'hailstorm';Indonesian:meses, frommuisjes) are small, oblong, sweet-tasting chocolatesprinkles or granules, a few millimetres long, which are sprinkled on slices of buttered bread orrusks.[1]
Hagelslag is traditionally eaten by theDutch for breakfast or lunch.[2]Hagelslag can be difficult to find in other countries, with the exception ofSuriname,Belgium, the formerNetherlands Antilles andIndonesia (all of which, except for Belgium, were formerDutch colonies), where one can buyHagelslag in stores.[2][3] In those regions, customers generally useHagelslag to decorate desserts and cakes.Hagelslag is also available in theethnically Dutch communities ofNew Zealand, such asFoxton inthe Manawatū, where it is widely available.[4][5]
In Belgium they are commonly calledmuizenstrontjes (mouse droppings).
Another variant isvlokken ("flakes"), chocolate flakes to sprinkle on buttered bread. There is a variety of flavors ofHagelslag, such aspure hagelslag (dark chocolate),witte hagelslag (white chocolate) andmelkchocoladehagelslag (milk chocolate), and evenvruchtenhagel (fruit flavoured).[2]
An estimated 750,000 hagelslag sandwiches are eaten each day in the Netherlands for breakfast, a snack or lunch. A hagelslag sandwich (broodje hagelslag) is hagelslag liberally sprinkled onto buttered bread. More than 14 million kilograms of hagelslag are consumed each year in the Netherlands.[1]
According to historical records from theAmsterdam City Archives,Hagelslag was originally invented by B.E. Dieperink, the director of the liquorice sweet companyVenco, in 1919. However, Venco's hagelslag did not contain chocolate until 1951.[6] Venco obtained a patent for the name, which meant that other companies, such asDe Ruijter andVenz, were not permitted to use the term to describe their own products. Consequently, De Ruijter opted to name their sprinkles based on their flavors, using the termhagel after the flavor (such as invruchtenhagel).[2] Venz and other companies named their chocolate sprinkleschocoladehagel.[6] De Ruijter introduced competition to Venco with their assortment of flavors, includinglemon,raspberry,orange andaniseed. Venz, the Netherlands' largest producer of hagelslag products, has been making chocolate hagelslag since 1936.[6][7]
The world's largest hagelslag factory is inTilburg.[1]
