Who is this choice relevant to?

Host catering for different bread preferences

Serving Dutch split pea soup to guests who don’t all enjoy coarse wholemeal bread, and looking for a texture that will suit more people around the table.

Someone who considers fibre and texture

Wants to compare breads using their nutritional information, but prefers a fine texture to a loaf with visible coarse grains or seeds.

Shopper with questions about ingredients

Needs to know which ingredients and allergens the bread contains before serving it, or wants to check whether iodised baker’s salt has been used.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, think about which texture your guests will enjoy, then check the product description and nutritional information. For a meal with Dutch split pea soup, the quantity of bread you need and what’s available in your local shop also matter.

Fine wholemeal

When to choose it: try this if coarse grains are putting people off, but you want to serve bread labelled ‘wholemeal’.

The trade-off: a fine texture doesn’t guarantee that everyone will enjoy the taste.

White and wholemeal blend

When to choose it: consider a blend if bread with a higher proportion of white flour is more likely to suit your guests’ preferences.

The trade-off: a blend isn’t the same as wholemeal bread; check the packaging to see what proportion is wholemeal.

Wholemeal bread

When to choose it: opt for a wholemeal loaf if the type of grain used is your priority and your guests enjoy its texture.

The trade-off: wholemeal breads vary in texture and nutritional information, so compare individual products.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important to?
Texture and preferences Check whether the bread is fine or coarse and whether it contains kernels or seeds. Don’t judge whether it’s wholemeal by its colour. If not everyone around the table likes coarse bread, I want to choose a texture more guests are likely to try. This compromise is the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the term ‘wholemeal’ and compare the stated fibre per 100 g or for equal portions. For a blend, check the stated wholemeal proportion. If you’re choosing mainly for fibre, the product description and nutritional information are more useful than a dark crust. This is the most important factor for around 31% of consumers.
Quantity and serving Choose a whole or half loaf to suit the number of guests, and decide whether sliced bread will make it easier for everyone to help themselves. When I’m serving a pan of Dutch split pea soup, I want to put enough bread on the table without having too much left over. This convenience is the top priority for around 23% of consumers.
Availability Check whether your chosen variety is stocked by your local shop or available through your preferred way of ordering. If I’m planning a particular bread for a meal, I need to be able to buy it in my local shop. Availability is the deciding factor for around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark, multigrain or sourdough means wholemeal

    These terms don’t automatically mean the same thing as ‘wholemeal’. You could end up choosing by appearance when what you’re really looking for is wholemeal bread.

    Check the product description. For a white and wholemeal blend, look at the packaging to see what proportion is wholemeal.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt

    The fact that Dutch rules cover adding iodine through baker’s salt doesn’t tell you which ingredients are in an individual loaf. The agreement to promote the use of baker’s salt, published by Overheid.nl in 2008, doesn’t change that.

    If this matters to your choice, read the bread’s ingredient list or ask the seller.

  • Relying only on an online product listing

    The bread available can vary from shop to shop, and product information can change. Lidl notes that its fresh range varies by store, while PLUS states that ingredient and allergen information may change.

    Check availability at your local shop and read the packaging of the bread you’ve bought before serving it.

Brands and shops to explore

Albert Heijn

A place to browse bread categories online, including wholemeal bread.

  • Albert Heijn lists separate categories for bread and wholemeal bread.
  • A product shown may only be available in store, so check the variety you want and your local shop.

Jumbo

Worth exploring if you’re looking online for wholemeal bread or a fine-textured wholemeal variety.

  • Jumbo lists a wholemeal range as well as a product called Fine Wholemeal Bread.
  • Read the product information for the variety you choose; the name alone doesn’t tell you everything about it.

Lidl

A good option if you want to serve fresh in-store bread or bake-at-home bread with your Dutch split pea soup.

  • Lidl describes a loaf made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
  • Lidl says its fresh bread range varies by store, so check what’s available locally.

ALDI

A shop to explore if you’re looking for fine wholemeal bread or a variety specifically labelled wholemeal.

  • ALDI lists products called Fine Wholemeal and Extra High-Fibre Wholemeal Bread.
  • A feature or claim made about one loaf doesn’t necessarily apply to other ALDI breads, so compare the packaging.

PLUS

An option for browsing bread and wholemeal bread online for delivery or collection.

  • PLUS lists a bread category and a product called Round Fine Wholemeal.
  • PLUS warns that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change, so check the packaging before use.

Dirk

Worth a look if you want to explore different types of bread for your soup meal.

  • Dirk lists white bread, wholemeal bread, multigrain bread and sourdough among its bread options.
  • These bread types aren’t interchangeable descriptions, so check the ingredients of the product you choose.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is dark or multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. Check whether ‘wholemeal’ appears in the product description. Under the Dutch Commodities Act Decree on Flour and Bread, this term refers to the components of the grain kernel being present in their natural proportions. A dark colour or the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t guarantee this.

Which bread can I try if not everyone likes coarse wholemeal?

Fine wholemeal is worth trying if it’s mainly the coarse texture people don’t like. A white and wholemeal blend may also suit your guests better; check the stated wholemeal proportion. Neither name guarantees that everyone will enjoy the taste.

Does every loaf in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t assume that of every individual loaf. The Dutch Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foodstuffs covers the addition of iodine through baker’s salt; the agreement published by Overheid.nl in 2008 encouraged its use. Check the ingredients of a particular loaf or ask the seller.

Where can I check the allergens in bread for my guests?

Read the up-to-date packaging of the bread you’re serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of accurate allergen information, and PLUS notes that product information can change. For unpackaged bread, ask the seller what information they can provide about the ingredients.

How much bread should I buy for a meal with Dutch split pea soup?

Choose a whole or half loaf to suit the number of guests and whether you’re serving more than one type of bread. If you’re storing or freezing it, follow the guidance for the product you’ve chosen rather than assuming the same method works for every loaf.