If you’re putting together your own party snacks
If you want to choose the chocolate and decorations yourself, plain Melba toast gives you a neutral base for your snacks. Van der Meulen describes its plain version as thin and crisp.
Which option is right for you?
If you need to check for allergens
Check the toast and chocolate separately. According to Jumbo’s product information, Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain sesame. The allergen information for the chocolate depends on the variety you choose.
If you’re looking for a more distinctive toast base
Wholemeal Melba toast is an option if you’d prefer a heartier grain base beneath the chocolate. Van der Meulen’s wholemeal version contains sesame seeds, so check that it’s suitable for your guests.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to pair the toast and chocolate yourself or find a ready-made product. If you’re making your own, choose a toast base and check the packaging of both products.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Making your own | Choose toast with the flavour and shape you want. If you’re considering a ready-made option, check that the product page and packaging specifically describe chocolate-coated toast. | I want to choose the chocolate and decorations for my snacks myself. This freedom is the top priority for around 37% of consumers making this choice. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the labels on both the toast and chocolate, including any relevant warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in both components. Checking the labels is the first concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Plain or wholemeal | Compare the flavour, ingredients and nutritional information for the exact varieties; the wholemeal Melba toast described here contains sesame. | I’m looking for a toast base with a more pronounced grain flavour, even if that makes the chocolate less prominent. For around 18% of consumers, choosing the base matters most. |
| Buying the ingredients separately | Check that you can find your chosen toast and chocolate separately, and look at the details for each exact product. | I want to be able to choose the components easily for my Dutch Flag Day snacks. For around 18% of consumers, this practical consideration is the top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Only reading the toast label
Chocolate and any decorations have their own ingredients and allergens. Choosing a suitable toast base doesn’t automatically make the complete combination suitable for a vegan diet or for someone who needs to avoid allergens.
Check the exact packaging of every component before buying.
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Assuming all toast contains iodine
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use it. So you can’t tell whether it’s been used just from the word ‘toast’.
If the type of salt matters to you, check the label on the exact toast product or ask the baker.
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Treating plain and wholemeal toast as the same base
Van der Meulen describes its plain Melba toast as neutral, while its wholemeal version is a heartier base containing sesame seeds. This difference matters both for the flavour combination and if you need to avoid sesame.
Choose based on the flavour and ingredients you want. Only compare nutritional information for the varieties you’re actually considering.
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Mistaking a toast selection for chocolate-coated toast
A selection of toast and a separate range of chocolate doesn’t tell you what’s in a ready-made chocolate-coated toast snack.
If you’re looking for a ready-made product, check the product page and packaging for that exact variety.
Brands and retailers to consider
Van der Meulen Melba Toast
Worth considering if you’re looking for a Melba toast base to pair with your own choice of chocolate.
- Van der Meulen describes its plain version as thin, crisp and neutral in flavour; the wholemeal version contains sesame seeds.
- According to Jumbo, the plain version contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain sesame. Check the ingredients for the variety you choose.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s toast range can help you find a separate base for snacks you’re putting together yourself.
- The range includes plain and wholemeal Melba toast.
- Check the exact product if you’re specifically looking for chocolate-coated toast.
Jumbo
A retailer where you can check product information for a specific variety of Melba toast.
- The product page for Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel lists its ingredients and allergens.
- This information applies to this plain variety and not automatically to other toast or any chocolate you add.
ALDI
A retailer with separate ranges for toast products and chocolate.
- ALDI lists SUN SNACKS Toast and SUN SNACKS Melba toast in its toast range.
- The separate product ranges don’t necessarily include a ready-made chocolate-coated toast product.
Lidl Way To Go
A chocolate range to consider separately from your choice of toast base.
- Lidl lists milk and dark chocolate varieties, among others.
- Check the ingredients for the chocolate flavour you choose. The range itself doesn’t tell you about the allergens or flavour of a combination with toast.
Toast bases on Joybuy
These products are toast bases for snacks where you choose the chocolate separately. The two Melba toast varieties and the rice toast are different types of product; none of the three is chocolate-coated toast.
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Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round, 100 g
A round Melba toast base if you want to choose your own chocolate and decorations.
Wheat and barley are listed as ingredients; also check the packaging for possible traces of sesame, soya and mustard.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g
A Melba toast base for anyone who wants to choose their chocolate and other toppings separately.
Wheat and barley are listed in the ingredients; check the packaging for warnings about possible traces of sesame, soya and mustard.
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Van Der Meulen Rice Toast Natural, 65 g
A rice toast base to consider if you’re adding chocolate separately. It’s described as savoury, so consider whether that flavour will work with your snacks.
If you’re checking for allergens, look at the current packaging, particularly for information about sesame and soya.
Frequently asked questions
Does all toast in the Netherlands contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No, you can’t tell from the type of product. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers don’t have to use it. If it matters to you, check the label on the exact toast product or ask the baker which salt was used.
Which allergens should I check in chocolate toast?
Check the ingredients and allergens in both the toast and the chocolate you choose. Jumbo lists wheat, barley and soya for Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel, with possible traces of sesame. The allergens in the chocolate depend on the exact variety, so check its label too.
When is wholemeal Melba toast a better choice under chocolate?
Wholemeal Melba toast is a good choice if you want a heartier grain base rather than the more neutral plain version. Van der Meulen’s wholemeal Melba toast contains sesame seeds; choose it only if its flavour and ingredients are right for your snacks and guests.
Can I combine toast and chocolate to suit a vegan diet?
You can only assess this by looking at the complete combination. Check the exact labels for the toast, chocolate and any decorations; a suitable toast base doesn’t tell you anything about the ingredients in the other components.