If you're going to eat chocolate spread, you might as well choose the best: Elleke is behind every taste test

Elleke van Duin, a journalist for the AD and regional newspapers, has spent years organizing professional taste tests for a wide variety of consumer products. Her work, which is now featured in the new book Voor jou geproefd, involves coordinating panels of experts to provide objective reviews on items ranging from snacks to wine. Van Duin handles everything from sourcing products and managing logistics to creating an appealing setting for the evaluations. The process requires significant coordination, particularly when last-minute panelist cancellations occur, but she finds the expertise and enthusiasm of the professional tasters rewarding. These taste tests often yield surprising results, such as budget supermarket products outperforming premium brands. While Van Duin sometimes faces disappointing outcomes—like when childhood favorites like Viennetta score poorly—she views the tests as a valuable service to readers. She believes that since processed foods are a part of daily life, consumers deserve to make informed choices. Ultimately, her goal is to ensure that when people do indulge in treats like chocolate spread, they can easily identify the best options available.