Pea soup lovers who want thick slices
You want to decide how thick to slice your bread. A whole or unsliced loaf gives you that option; if you choose a farmhouse or rustic loaf, check that it hasn’t already been sliced.
Who is this bread choice relevant to?
Shoppers comparing wholemeal bread and fibre
You want to choose wholemeal bread to go with your soup and compare loaves by their product description and fibre content per 100 g.
Shoppers who read labels carefully
You check the ingredients, allergens or whether baker’s salt has been used before choosing a loaf. For unwrapped bread, you can ask the baker for this information.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to choose the thickness of the slices yourself. Then consider wholemeal content, nutritional information and ingredients as separate characteristics of the bread.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness | Check whether the loaf is whole or unsliced. For pre-sliced bread, check the actual slice. | With a hearty bowl of pea soup, I want to be able to cut thick slices of bread myself, even if that means the portions are less uniform. For around 40% of consumers, slice thickness comes first. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check whether the bread is described as wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g of the loaves you’re considering. | I choose bread to go with soup mainly by whether it’s described as wholemeal and by its stated fibre content; I consider slice thickness separately. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this nutritional choice. |
| Label and convenience | Read the current ingredients and allergen information, and check whether baker’s salt has been used if necessary. Also decide whether you want to slice the bread yourself. | If ingredients or being able to serve quickly determine my choice, I want to know before I buy. Checking the label or convenience matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
Common assumptions
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‘Coarse’ or ‘rustic’ means thickly sliced
These words may tell you something about the type or texture of the bread, but they don’t specify how thick a pre-sliced loaf’s slices are.
Choose a whole or unsliced loaf if the slice thickness is important, or check the slices before buying.
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Wholemeal also tells you about salt and slice thickness
The description ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you how thickly the bread is sliced or how much salt a particular product contains.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and, for product-specific claims, check what the comparison is based on.
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All bread contains iodised baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use it.
Check the ingredients list or ask which salt has been used for unwrapped bread.
Brands and shops to explore
These ranges give you a starting point when looking for a whole or wholemeal loaf. Check whether your chosen product is sliced and what information is on the label.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s wholemeal range includes whole and half farmhouse loaves.
- A whole farmhouse loaf is worth considering if you want to slice it yourself.
- Check whether the specific loaf is supplied unsliced.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells, among other options, coarse and fine wholemeal bread.
- The different wholemeal loaves give you products to compare by label and shape.
- ‘Coarse’ doesn’t confirm that the slices are thick; check the slices of the loaf you choose.
Lidl
Lidl offers pre-packed bread and freshly baked options.
- Lidl uses a fibre meter on packaged loaves as additional product information.
- Check the nutritional information for each product when comparing loaves.
Aldi
ALDI offers, among other options, whole wholemeal loaves and farmhouse bread.
- With a whole loaf, you can check whether it’s suitable for slicing yourself.
- ALDI’s comparison of salt and fibre applies to one specific extra-high-fibre wholemeal loaf, not its entire range.
Plus
PLUS offers whole wholemeal loaves, including a dark wholemeal farmhouse loaf.
- Whole loaves are a good option if you want to choose the slice thickness yourself.
- Check whether the loaf you choose is actually unsliced.
Dirk
Dirk offers, among other options, a whole wholemeal farmhouse loaf and other types of bread.
- The whole farmhouse loaf is worth considering if you want to slice it yourself.
- Check the specific loaf before counting on it having a particular slice thickness.
Bread to slice yourself on Joybuy
These round loaves are a good choice if you want to slice your own bread to go with pea soup after defrosting and baking. The varieties differ in factors such as bread type and pack size; check the current preparation and ingredients information for each product.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 2 × 550 g
For anyone who wants to slice thick pieces of bread to go with pea soup. This bread needs to be defrosted, baked and left to cool first; check the baking time on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 550 g
A single round wholemeal loaf for anyone who wants to slice their own bread. Defrost it first, bake it and leave it to cool before slicing; check the packaging for the baking time.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain country loaf, 2 × 550 g
A multigrain option that you can slice yourself to go with soup after baking. Allow time for defrosting and cooling; check the current ingredients and allergen information if it matters to your choice.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain country loaf, 550 g
A single round multigrain loaf for anyone who wants to choose the slice thickness. Defrost and bake the loaf, then leave it to cool before slicing; check the packaging for the baking time.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round rustic bread, 550 g
A rustic round loaf that you can slice yourself after baking to go with pea soup. Allow time for defrosting and cooling too, and follow the baking time on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Which bread should I choose if I really want thick slices to go with pea soup?
Choose a whole or unsliced loaf that you can slice yourself. If you’re choosing a farmhouse loaf, bâtard or rustic loaf, check that the specific product hasn’t already been pre-sliced; the name alone doesn’t determine the slice thickness.
Does wholemeal mean a loaf is thickly sliced too?
No, wholemeal and slice thickness are different characteristics. If you want to compare the fibre in different loaves, check the nutritional information per 100 g; check the slices separately.
Does all Dutch bread contain iodine through baker’s salt?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use it. Read the ingredients list or ask the baker which salt has been used in the loaf you’re considering.
What should I check if I need to avoid certain ingredients?
Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the bread you want to buy. For unwrapped bread, you can ask the baker for this information; don’t assume it has the same ingredients as another loaf.