Rolls for Afternoon Coffee: Sourdough, Multigrain or White?

Who might find this choice useful?

Host planning a special coffee spread

You want to serve a roll that looks the part and goes well with your chosen toppings. A rustic roll or white sourdough roll could suit the occasion; check how much preparation it needs, too.

Older person who wants to consider nutritional value

For a regular coffee break, you may want to think about more than just the type of bread, including its fibre content and what you serve with it. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of getting enough nutrients and including protein-rich foods in older people’s diets.

Shopper who needs to check ingredients and allergens

You need clear information about ingredients such as gluten-containing cereals and any other listed allergens. Sourdough, spelt and multigrain don’t automatically mean a roll is gluten-free, so check the label of the specific product.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide what matters most for your coffee spread: presentation, nutritional value, label information or preparation. Then compare only the product features that are relevant to your choice.

What to consider	What to check	Who it matters to
Presentation and texture	Check the type of bread and how it needs to be prepared. Consider the texture separately if it matters to one of your guests.	For a special coffee spread, I want rolls that look appealing and are ready to serve on time; presentation comes first for around 31% of consumers.
Fibre and nutritional value	Compare fibre and protein per 100 g, and check which grains are used in multigrain rolls.	For a regular coffee break, I want to consider more than just how the roll looks; nutritional value is the top priority for roughly 31% of consumers.
Salt, iodine and allergens	Check the salt content per 100 g, the type of salt listed and the allergen information.	If I need to take ingredients or allergens into account, I want to know what I’m serving; checking the label comes first for around 23% of consumers.
Preparation and quantity	Check how many rolls are in the pack, the storage instructions and how they need to be prepared.	For a small gathering, I only want to put out what’s needed; practical preparation matters most to around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes

Assuming ‘sourdough’ or ‘rustic’ means more fibre

The product name doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt a roll contains. The white sourdough rolls reviewed here and the multigrain option have different nutritional values.

Compare nutritional information on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and read the ingredients list.
Assuming every roll contains iodised salt

The type of salt used can vary between bread products. For example, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that organic bread is usually baked with non-iodised salt.

Check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt.
Confusing multigrain, spelt or sourdough with gluten-free

The standard multigrain and spelt rolls reviewed here contain gluten-containing cereals. The type of bread alone doesn’t tell you whether it contains allergens.

If you need a gluten-free option, check the packaging and the full allergen information.
Leaving preparation and pack size until the last minute

Part-baked rolls need preparing, and a pack containing several rolls may not suit a small coffee gathering.

Count your guests in advance and check the preparation, pack size and storage instructions.

Using the oven takes time, and you may be left with uneaten rolls.

Brands with suitable rolls

Albert Heijn

Sells both white part-baked rolls and a separately sold white sourdough roll in its Liefde & Passie range.

Albert Heijn lists its white part-baked rolls in a pack of four, with a preparation time of 8–10 minutes.
The sourdough variety’s name doesn’t tell you its fibre content; check the latest nutritional information and allergens for each product.

Jumbo

Sells a plain white part-baked roll in a pack of four, weighing 300 g.

Jumbo recommends baking this product in the oven for 10–12 minutes at 200 °C.
When comparing it with other rolls, use the nutritional values and allergen information for this specific variety.

Lidl

Stocks white rolls and provides ingredients and allergen information for its oven-fresh bread range.

The ingredients and allergen information can help you choose a specific roll.
Check which product is available in store and use the information provided for that product.

ALDI

Stocks a white roll sold individually.

Buying rolls individually can be handy when you only need a small number.
Check the label of the roll you buy for nutritional values and allergen information.

PLUS

Sells, among other options, white sourdough, multigrain sourdough and gluten-free rolls. These are different products with their own ingredients.

PLUS lists 34% wholemeal wheat flour and 5.8 g of fibre per 100 g for its Korenlanders multigrain rolls.
Check the nutritional values and allergens for the variety you choose; ‘sourdough’ and ‘multigrain’ are no substitute for reading the label.

Dirk

Stocks rustic white part-baked rolls under its 1 de Beste own-brand range.

The pack shown contains four rolls weighing 300 g in total.
A rustic appearance doesn’t tell you about fibre, salt or allergens, so check the product information.

Rolls for a rustic coffee spread at Joybuy

These white rustic rolls come in a pack of four and are a good fit for a small, neatly laid-out coffee spread. Always check the product information for nutritional values, allergens and preparation instructions.

g'woon white rustic rolls (4 pack)

A pack of four white rustic rolls could be just right for a small coffee gathering. Check the latest ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions before serving.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does a sourdough roll always contain more fibre?

No. Albert Heijn lists 2.8 g of fibre per 100 g for its white sourdough roll, compared with 5.8 g per 100 g for the PLUS multigrain sourdough roll reviewed here. Compare the nutritional information for the products you’re considering.

What should you consider when choosing a roll for an older guest?

Think about the roll and what you serve with it, as well as your guest’s preferences. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the importance of getting enough nutrients and fibre, and including protein-rich foods in older people’s diets. The name of the bread alone won’t tell you how nutritious the whole meal is.

Does every roll contain iodised salt?

You can’t tell from the type of bread. Check the label to see which type of salt is listed; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that organic bread is usually baked with non-iodised salt.

Are multigrain or spelt rolls gluten-free?

Not just because of their name. The PLUS multigrain and spelt rolls reviewed here contain gluten-containing cereals. If you need a gluten-free product, check the description and allergen information on the specific pack.

How do I choose how many rolls to buy for a small coffee gathering?

Choose a quantity to suit your guests, and consider whether individual rolls or a pack would work better. For part-baked rolls, also check the preparation and storage instructions so you don’t have to prepare more than you need.