Who is this choice relevant to?

Students looking to make one dinner feel special

With soup, salad or a sharing platter, bread can play a part on the table too. A small loaf may suit the number of diners better than a whole artisan hearth loaf.

Cooks choosing bread as part of the meal

If bread makes up a substantial part of dinner, the type of bread matters more than just the crust. Check whether it’s wholemeal and, if you like, compare the nutritional information on the packaging.

Shoppers who need to check ingredients

If you need to be mindful of allergens or want to know which salt has been used, the ingredients and allergen information will tell you more than words such as ‘rustic’ or ‘artisan’.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide what role the bread will play at dinner: a centrepiece for the table, an important part of the meal or a little extra. Then choose a suitable size and check the information that matters for how you’ll use it.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this important to?
Bread as a centrepiece Choose a loaf shape that suits the dish and the number of diners. The word ‘rustic’ doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients on its own. For dinner with soup or a sharing platter, I want bread I can put on the table and share. For around 23% of consumers, this is the most important role of bread.
Type of bread Check whether ‘wholemeal’ is stated explicitly on the product and read the ingredients list if needed; sourdough and multigrain don’t automatically mean wholemeal. When bread makes up an important part of my evening meal, I want to know what type I’m eating. Around 31% of consumers put this choice first.
Size and leftovers Choose a loaf to suit the number of diners and think about what you’ll do with any portions left over before you buy it. For one meal, I don’t want to cut more bread than we’ll eat or use later. The right size is the main concern for around 31% of consumers.
Label information Check the relevant allergens and ingredients. If you want to know which salt has been used, ask about unwrapped bread. If I need to avoid certain ingredients or check whether iodised salt has been used, I can’t rely on the bread’s name. For around 15% of consumers, this information comes first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough, multigrain and wholemeal are the same

    Sourdough describes how bread rises; it doesn’t tell you whether the flour is wholemeal. ‘Multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that either.

    Look for the word wholemeal and check the ingredients if the type of bread is important to your choice.

  • Assuming iodised baker’s salt is always used

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt is not compulsory. So a premium or organic loaf won’t necessarily contain it.

    Check the ingredients for iodised salt or baker’s salt. If you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask which type of salt has been used.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a plan for the leftovers

    If there aren’t many people at dinner, you may have some of a large loaf left over. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a food that is often wasted.

    Choose a smaller size or check before buying whether you can store or freeze the rest. Albert Heijn says that AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem brons can be frozen on the day of purchase.

  • Relying on the bread’s name alone if you have an allergy

    A product’s name or appearance doesn’t give you the full picture of the ingredients and allergens in a particular loaf.

    For packaged bread, read the allergen information on the label. If you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask for allergen information before you buy, as advised by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem brons is an example of brown sourdough bread for anyone comparing ingredients and loaf sizes.

  • Albert Heijn lists this loaf as 600 g, with 27% wholemeal wheat flour, 9.6% wheat sourdough and iodised salt.
  • The wholemeal wheat flour content doesn’t automatically make this particular brown loaf a wholemeal loaf.

PLUS

PLUS’s Korenlanders range includes small sourdough loaves as well as full-sized options.

  • A small loaf may be a good fit for dinner with fewer people.
  • Check the type of bread and ingredients for each option; ‘sourdough’ doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal.

ALDI

ALDI describes Bakkersgoud rustiek spelt as a freshly baked artisan hearth loaf.

  • According to ALDI, this loaf contains oat flakes, seeds and kernels.
  • Check the label if wholemeal content or the type of salt used matters to your choice.

Lidl

Lidl offers, among other options, a rustic wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf and a brown multigrain sourdough loaf.

  • The product names make it easier to distinguish between a wholemeal wheat option and a brown multigrain one.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens for the option you’re actually buying.

Dirk

Dirk’s bread range includes, among other options, multigrain and artisan hearth loaves.

  • The range of bread types gives you a starting point for finding a loaf to serve at the table.
  • The type of bread alone doesn’t confirm that it’s wholemeal or suitable for specific allergens.

Bread at Joybuy

If you’re serving bread to share at dinner, this product selection includes a wholemeal flatbread. It’s a different type of bread from the sourdough and artisan hearth loaves above, so choose it to suit the dish rather than assuming it has the same qualities.

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces

Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces

A flatbread to serve with a meal to share. The product name states that it’s made with wholemeal wheat and comes in a pack of six. Check the packaging if ingredients or allergens are important to your choice.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough automatically wholemeal?

No. Sourdough refers to the way the bread rises, not the amount of wholemeal flour it contains. Check the description on the bread and, if in doubt, read the ingredients list.

Does premium or organic bread always contain iodised salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt is not compulsory in the Netherlands. Check the ingredients or ask which type of salt has been used if you’re buying unwrapped bread.

Where can I find allergen information for bread?

For packaged bread, the allergen information is on the label. If you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask where you can find this information before you buy; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says it must be available.

How can I avoid having lots of bread left over after one dinner?

Choose a loaf size to suit the number of diners, or pick a loaf that you plan to store if there are leftovers. For example, Albert Heijn says that AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem brons can be frozen on the day of purchase. For other breads, check the storage advice on the packaging.