Who is this choice relevant to?

The morning commuter with no time to prepare breakfast

Needs bread that’s ready to top and take along. Part-baked bread is only suitable if there’s time before leaving and an oven or air fryer available.

The shopper looking for wholemeal bread and fibre

Wants to know which flour the bread contains and compare its fibre content per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ means at least three types of grain; wholemeal bread is made with 100% wholemeal flour.

The shopper who checks the ingredients

Checks the grains listed, allergens and salt for each loaf. You should also check the label of your chosen variety to see whether it contains baker’s salt or iodised salt.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether you need bread that’s ready to take with you without any preparation. Then check the wholemeal labelling and ingredients, and choose a size that suits how you’ll use it.

What to consider What to check before buying Who is this important to?
Ready to eat Check whether the bread is sliced and ready to eat, or still needs to be baked. I want to be able to top my bread before leaving without having to slice or bake it first. For around 33% of consumers, this convenience comes first.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare the fibre content listed per 100 g. I don’t want to rely on the word ‘multigrain’ when I’m looking for wholemeal bread. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this.
Sourdough and grains Check which sourdough and grains are listed in the ingredients, and whether baker’s yeast has also been added. If I’m choosing the bread specifically for its sourdough and a particular grain texture, I want to know what it contains. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this.
Size and availability Check whether the loaf size suits how much bread you eat, and see what’s currently available in your shop. I want to be able to buy a loaf that I can finish as part of my usual routine. For around 20% of consumers, this practical consideration is the main priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

    According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain refers to the number of types of grain, not necessarily to the use of wholemeal flour. You could therefore take home a different kind of bread from the one you wanted.

    Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging and use the nutritional information per 100 g to compare fibre content between products.

  • Choosing part-baked bread when you have no time to prepare breakfast

    Part-baked bread isn’t ready to take with you straight away. PLUS says its multigrain sourdough demi-baguettes take 8–10 minutes in the oven or 5–6 minutes in the air fryer.

    Check the cooking instructions before you buy. Choose ready-to-eat bread if you can’t fit in that extra step.

  • Assuming it contains baker’s salt

    According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt in bread isn’t compulsory. So you can’t tell whether it’s included just from the words ‘sourdough’, ‘organic’ or ‘artisan’.

    If it matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’.

  • Relying on out-of-date product information

    Recipes and fresh bakery ranges can change. Lidl, for example, says that its range may vary between stores. An earlier product description may therefore not match the bread available to you.

    Check the current packaging when you buy, especially if an allergen, wholemeal labelling or a specific ingredient is important to your choice.

Brands and ranges to consider

These examples can help you tell different varieties apart. Check the packaging of the loaf you’re actually buying.

Albert Heijn

An option to consider if you’re looking for pre-sliced multigrain sourdough bread that’s ready to top.

  • According to Albert Heijn, AH OerDesem dark multigrain is an 800 g sliced loaf with 6.6 g of fibre per 100 g. The ingredients also list iodised salt.
  • These details apply to this variety, not every loaf in the OerDesem range. Check the current packaging.

PLUS

Offers options in different sizes, including a small multigrain sourdough loaf and part-baked varieties.

  • PLUS lists a 300 g small brown multigrain sourdough loaf and multigrain sourdough demi-baguettes.
  • The small loaf is described as part-baked, and the demi-baguettes need to be baked before eating. If you’re looking for bread that’s ready to eat, check the cooking and storage instructions.

Lidl

A supermarket option to explore if you’re looking for organic brown multigrain sourdough bread with seeds.

  • Lidl lists a 600 g organic rustic multigrain sourdough loaf.
  • Lidl says its fresh range may vary between stores. Check the ingredients and salt used in store, too.

ALDI

Worth considering if you want to compare the sizes of freshly baked multigrain loaves in store.

  • ALDI’s freshly baked range includes multigrain and wholemeal multigrain bread, in both whole and half-loaf sizes.
  • The word ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that a particular variety contains sourdough. Check the label to find out.

Dirk

A range where you can compare multigrain bread with sourdough and part-baked bread.

  • Dirk lists a multigrain hearth-baked loaf among its bread selection.
  • The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that this variety contains sourdough or wholemeal flour. Check the packaging if either is important to your choice.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ means that bread contains at least three different types of grain; wholemeal bread is made with 100% wholemeal flour. So if you want wholemeal bread, look specifically for the ‘wholemeal’ label.

Does multigrain sourdough bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt in bread isn’t compulsory. Check the ingredients list of your chosen variety for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’.

Can I choose part-baked multigrain sourdough for a quick breakfast?

Yes, if baking it fits into your morning routine. PLUS says its multigrain sourdough demi-baguettes take 8–10 minutes in an oven at 220 °C or 5–6 minutes in an air fryer at 200 °C. If you want to leave straight away, choose a ready-to-eat variety.

Which allergens should I check in multigrain sourdough bread?

Check the allergen information on the current packaging of the specific loaf. The varieties reviewed contain different grains, such as wheat, rye, barley, oats or spelt; some products also list soya.

What if a whole loaf is too big for my household?

Choose a smaller size, or check whether the product information says you can freeze the loaf in portions. Albert Heijn says AH OerDesem dark multigrain can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.