For small topped bites, choose thin wholemeal Melba toast if its shape suits your topping. If you want a more generous or moist topping, consider the shape and sturdiness of the toast and add the topping shortly before serving. Whatever you choose, check the wholemeal designation, nutritional information and allergens on the packaging.
You want to know whether a toast is genuinely wholemeal, then compare its fibre content. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, toast can only be called wholemeal if it is made entirely from wholemeal flour; you can check the fibre content separately in the nutritional information.
Choose a toast shape to suit the bites you want to serve. Van der Meulen describes its wholemeal Melba toast as a thin, crisp base, while Jos Poell suggests using Toast Wholemeal for topped bites.
Before buying, check the ingredients and allergens in the toast you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be clearly listed on the label of pre-packed foods.
First decide what toppings you want to serve, then check that the wholemeal option suits your guests’ dietary preferences and allergies.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal designation and compare fibre per 100 g; also consider how much you’ll serve per portion. | I want to be able to tell whether my toast is wholemeal without assuming from the name how much fibre a portion contains. Around 33% of consumers prioritise wholegrains and fibre. |
| Shape and toppings | Compare the shape and thickness of the toast with the toppings you plan to use. | For small bites, I want a different base than I would for generous or moist toppings. For around 27% of consumers, how well the toast suits their planned toppings is the top priority. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients, listed allergens and any warnings on the packaging. | If I’m serving guests with an allergy, I need to check each product individually. For around 27% of consumers, this is the top priority. |
| Availability | Check the exact variety available in your shop or delivery area, and read the label on that pack. | I want to be able to find a suitable option in time for my guests. This is the first purchasing priority for around 13% of consumers. |
A dark colour or visible seeds don’t prove that a toast is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, toast must be made entirely from wholemeal flour to be labelled wholemeal.
Look for the designation on the packaging, then compare the fibre content in the nutritional information.
The wholemeal Melba toast described by Van der Meulen is topped with sesame seeds. This matters if one of your guests has a sesame allergy.
Check the current label for every product, including any warnings, and keep the packaging to hand when serving.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So don’t assume a product contains a particular ingredient based on its type.
Check the ingredients list if baker’s salt matters to your choice. If the product isn’t packaged, ask the seller for information if needed.
Van der Meulen presents Melba Toast Wholemeal 120 g as a thin, crisp option for small topped bites.
Jos Poell describes Toast Wholemeal as a crisp toast for topped bites, and suggests serving it with guacamole.
ALDI lists wholemeal toast and varieties with pumpkin and sunflower seeds on its range page.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, toast can only be called wholemeal if it is made entirely from wholemeal flour. If the packaging only says that a product contains wholemeal flour, read the ingredients list to find out what that means for the product.
Check the allergens and any warnings on the label of every toast you plan to serve. In particular, look for cereals containing gluten and sesame; don’t rely on the name or appearance of a variety alone.
No, don’t assume it does: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for the product you’ve chosen, or ask the seller which ingredients have been used.
For the best crisp texture, top thin Melba toast shortly before serving. If you’re using a moist topping, check that the shape you’ve chosen is suitable for the bites you want to make.
