Parents who pay attention to the type of bread
You want to serve something special and start by choosing wholemeal or brown bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends these types of bread for children because of their fibre content.
Who is this tea-time treat for?
Families who want to serve bread with a little flair
You might be looking for sourdough or hearth-baked bread to serve at the table. Choose the crust, texture and quantity to suit the children who’ll be eating it.
Parents who need to follow allergen requirements
If the bread is going to school or childcare, you’ll want to know which allergens it contains and what requirements apply there. For packaged bread, check the current label; for unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information before buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with what matters most for this tea-time occasion: the type of bread, allergens, how you’ll serve it or how much you need. Then consider names such as ‘rustic’ or ‘sourdough’.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Type of bread and fibre | Check whether the bread is wholemeal or brown, and compare the nutritional information per 100 g. If you wish, check whether baker’s salt is listed among the ingredients. | I want to choose bread with its fibre content in mind, even if a rustic variety looks appealing. Around 33% of consumers make this their top priority when choosing bread. |
| Allergens and requirements | Read the current allergen information and any warnings about cross-contamination. Ask for information about unpackaged bread and check the requirements at the school or childcare setting. | If I’m packing bread to take along, I need to know whether it meets the allergen requirements and the rules at the setting. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Crust and presentation | Choose a texture the child enjoys eating, and check whether the bread is ready to serve or needs to be baked first. | I’m mainly looking for bread that makes tea time feel special, without choosing a crust or texture the children will leave uneaten. This is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Compare the pack size with the number of people eating, and read the storage instructions and any baking instructions. | For a small gathering, I don’t want to prepare more bread than we need, and I want to be able to store any leftovers. Around 13% of consumers make this their top priority. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming ‘sourdough’ or ‘organic’ means ‘wholemeal’
These words don’t tell you on their own how much wholegrain a loaf contains. For example, the organic multigrain sourdough hearth bread described by Albert Heijn is labelled as white multigrain bread.
If the type of bread is key to your choice, check the product name, ingredients and nutritional information first.
-
Packing seeded bread without checking for allergens
Allergens vary from one bread to another. If a child needs to avoid certain allergens, a similar product name is no substitute for up-to-date product information.
Check the label each time, or ask about allergen information before buying unpackaged bread. Remember to check the school or childcare setting’s requirements too.
-
Buying a whole loaf for a small gathering
A large loaf may be more than you’ll use during one tea-time occasion. Without a plan for storing it, you could end up with leftovers.
See if a smaller pack is available, or divide the bread into portions and follow the product’s storage advice.
-
Expecting the same fresh bread selection at every store
Lidl says its fresh range may vary by store. Jumbo states that its sourdough breads, baked in store, aren’t available to order online.
If you need a particular bread for a planned occasion, check what’s available at the store in question in advance.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
One example of this type of bread is Albert Heijn’s organic multigrain sourdough hearth bread.
- The product description mentions sourdough and specifies that it’s white multigrain bread.
- If you’re looking for wholemeal bread, don’t rely on the name ‘multigrain’ alone; check the product information.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes sourdough breads with a rustic crust, suited to a more elaborate spread.
- According to Jumbo, the sourdough breads it describes are left to mature for more than 24 hours with fresh sourdough starter.
- Jumbo says its sourdough breads baked in store aren’t available to order online. The retailer also says that cross-contamination cannot be ruled out.
Lidl
According to the product description, Lidl’s rustic wholemeal sourdough bread combines wholemeal wheat with sourdough.
- The description clearly identifies the type of bread, making it a useful option if you’re looking for both wholemeal and sourdough.
- The fresh range may vary by store. Also check the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen bread.
ALDI
ALDI offers, among other options, fine wholemeal bread and extra high-fibre wholemeal bread.
- These product names are a helpful starting point if wholemeal bread is your main selection criterion.
- Choose a specific variety based on the current packaging, not just the brand name.
PLUS
PLUS offers Korenlanders sourdough breads and hearth breads as options for a varied tea-time spread.
- These options give you a choice of different types and textures of bread.
- PLUS recommends checking the packaging for current ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details.
Dirk
Dirk offers, among other options, wholemeal hearth bread and multigrain hearth bread.
- The product names help distinguish between the wholemeal and multigrain varieties.
- Dirk describes its multigrain hearth bread as containing grains and seeds. Check the information for your chosen product if you have allergen requirements.
Bread options on Joybuy
These options range from individual wholemeal flatbreads to rustic multigrain baguettes for a more substantial tea-time spread. Choose based on the type of bread, the quantity and how much preparation you’re happy to do. Always check the current packaging before serving.
Image unavailable
Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
If you want to serve individual flatbreads with tea, this pack contains 6 pieces. The product is called Whole Wheat and is a flatbread, not sourdough or hearth bread. Check the current allergen information if you’re choosing it for a child or group.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
If you’d like to serve individual baguettes, consider this pack of 4, each weighing 135 g. Allow time to defrost and bake this variety, following the instructions on the packaging. Also check the type of bread and allergen information if these are important to your choice.
Image unavailable
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 2 × 4 × 135 g
For a larger gathering, this variety contains 2 packs, each with 4 baguettes weighing 135 g. Compare this quantity with what you’ll need for a small tea-time occasion. The baguettes need to be defrosted and baked; follow the instructions on the packaging and check the current allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘sourdough’ mean that bread is wholemeal?
No, sourdough on its own doesn’t tell you whether bread is wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends wholemeal and brown bread for children because of their fibre content. So check the type of bread and nutritional information for the product you’re considering.
Does bread for school always need to be gluten-free?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, children without the conditions mentioned that require them to avoid gluten don’t need to eat gluten-free. If there’s a medical need or a requirement at the school or childcare setting, choose accordingly and check the label and any warnings about cross-contamination.
How can I check allergens in unpackaged bread?
Ask for allergen information about the specific bread before buying it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says consumers must be able to get allergen information about unpackaged food before purchase. Don’t rely solely on a previous purchase of bread with a similar name.
What should I do with bread left over after a small tea-time gathering?
Divide the bread into portions you can use later and follow the storage advice on the packaging. For opened wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing it for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard, or for 1 to 3 months in the freezer. Follow the product instructions for bake-at-home bread too.
Why should I check whether bread contains baker’s salt?
Baker’s salt is relevant to the amount of iodine bread contributes to your diet. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights bread made with baker’s salt as a source of iodine. If this matters to your choice, check the ingredients for the specific bread.