Who is this bread for?

For serving bread with a meal

With soup, nibbles or a generously topped sharing board, a rustic loaf with a distinctive crust and flavour can take centre stage. If you’re buying freshly baked bread, check it will be available when you plan to eat.

For those who also look for wholemeal

You don’t have to compromise on wholemeal to serve something special. Look for an explicit wholemeal label and check the ingredients, rather than relying on the colour, seeds or the word ‘rustic’.

For those looking for the right size

For a smaller meal or an occasional dinner, consider how many people you’re serving, when you’ll serve the bread and what you’ll do with any leftovers. Voedingscentrum advises freezing any uneaten bread in portions.

What should you look for?

First decide what matters most for your meal: flavour and presentation, a wholemeal label or a suitable size. Then check the product information for the specific loaf.

What to consider What to check Who is this important to?
Flavour, crust and presentation Check the type of bread and, if it’s freshly baked, ask when it was baked. If I’m serving bread with soup or on a sharing board, I want the flavour and crust to complement the meal. This is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Wholemeal and ingredients Look for an explicit wholemeal label and read the ingredients and nutritional information for the variant you’ve chosen. I want to serve a special bread while also making a considered wholemeal choice. This is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers.
Size and availability Choose an amount to suit the number of people eating and check that the bread will be available in time. When I’m hosting a meal, I want enough bread without being left with lots of leftovers. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark or multigrain bread is wholemeal

    A dark colour, seeds or kernels don’t confirm that a loaf is wholemeal. Nederlands Bakkerij Centrum points out that colour doesn’t always indicate the ingredients or nutritional value.

    Look for an explicit wholemeal label and check the ingredients of the bread you want to buy.

  • Assuming sourdough makes a nutritional claim

    Sourdough can be part of your choice of flavour and texture, but on its own it doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal or what its nutritional value is.

    Choose sourdough if that style of bread suits your meal, and check wholemeal content, fibre and salt separately in the product information.

  • Overlooking allergens in unpackaged bread

    You can’t identify every allergen from the name or visible topping. According to the Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit, allergen information must also be available for unpackaged food.

    Ask for allergen information before buying if you need it to make your choice.

  • Not planning what to do with leftover bread

    A large loaf can leave you with quite a lot of bread after the meal.

    Choose a size to suit the number of people eating. Voedingscentrum recommends freezing any bread you want to keep in portions.

Brands to explore

These brands offer bread ranges that may suit different mealtime needs. Always check the features and availability of each individual loaf.

Albert Heijn

The Liefde & Passie range includes sourdough loaves for anyone looking for bread with a rustic presentation.

  • Albert Heijn describes loaves in this range as baked on a stone oven floor and says its OerDesem takes three days to make.
  • Check the variant you’ve chosen and its availability at your local shop; not every loaf in the range can be ordered online.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s sourdough loaves are worth considering when flavour and crust are important to the meal.

  • Jumbo links the proving time and sourdough used in these loaves to their flavour and crust.
  • Jumbo says these loaves are baked in store and aren’t available to order online; check availability before you go.

PLUS

Korenlanders sourdough loaves come in different varieties to consider for dinner or drinks with nibbles.

  • PLUS describes these loaves as freshly baked every day and available for home delivery.
  • Check the wholemeal label, ingredients and allergens for each variety; the loaves aren’t interchangeable in this respect.

Lidl

Lidl lists a 600 g organic brown sourdough multigrain loaf with seeds and kernels.

  • The product name makes the type of bread, its ingredient features and its weight clear for an initial shortlist.
  • Multigrain and a brown colour don’t confirm that this variety is wholemeal; check the product information to find out.

ALDI

At ALDI, you can explore freshly baked bread and speciality rolls for your meal.

  • The range gives you options if you want to consider the shape of the bread and when you’ll serve it.
  • Check whether each product is sourdough or wholemeal; a rustic appearance doesn’t confirm either.

Dirk

Dirk’s bread range includes wholemeal bread, multigrain bread, sourdough and hearth-baked bread.

  • The different types of bread give you a starting point for finding a loaf to suit your meal.
  • Compare the product name, ingredients and size of individual loaves before choosing.

Breads at Joybuy for a special meal

This selection includes round loaves and baguettes for serving with a special meal. One of the round loaves is explicitly labelled wholemeal.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g

For anyone looking for a round wholemeal loaf to serve with a meal. The loaf weighs 550 g; check the packaging for preparation instructions, nutritional information and allergens.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette 4 x 135 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette 4 x 135 g

For anyone who wants to serve individual multigrain baguettes with a meal. The pack contains four 135 g baguettes; check the packaging if wholemeal content, allergens or preparation are important to your choice.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Baguette 4 x 135 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Baguette 4 x 135 g

For anyone who wants to serve baguettes in individual portions with a meal. The pack contains four 135 g baguettes; check the product information on the packaging for preparation instructions and any dietary requirements.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Round Bread 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Round Bread 550 g

For anyone looking for a round rustic loaf to share at a meal. The loaf weighs 550 g; check the product information if a wholemeal label, allergens or preparation instructions are important to your choice.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough or hearth-baked bread automatically wholemeal?

No. Sourdough and hearth-baked describe how bread is made, but don’t automatically mean it’s wholemeal. Look for an explicit wholemeal label and check the ingredients and nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen.

How can I check allergens in unpackaged bread?

Ask for allergen information before buying if it isn’t displayed next to the bread. According to the Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit, this information must also be available for unpackaged food; don’t rely on the bread’s name or visible topping alone.

Does all Dutch bread contain iodine from baker’s salt?

No, that doesn’t follow from the Warenwetbesluit on the addition of micronutrients. The regulation describes adding them via baker’s salt, but doesn’t confirm that every individual loaf is made with it. Check the ingredients or ask about a specific loaf.

What should I do with bread left over after dinner?

Freeze the bread in portions if you want to keep it. Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions straight after purchase; when planning a meal, remember you only need to serve as much as you expect to use.