Would you like to serve wholemeal bread at Christmas, but think some guests might prefer a finer crumb? Try finely milled wholemeal: it is still made from 100% wholemeal flour, although flavour and texture vary from one product to another. Brown bread is made with a blend of white and wholemeal flour. Choose white bread if its familiar taste matters more for the occasion, and compare the nutritional information if fibre is important.
You want a finer crumb without ruling out wholemeal bread. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; brown bread is a different option, made with a blend of wholemeal and white flour.
You want to be able to see which bread is wholemeal and how much fibre your chosen product contains, whether you’re serving breakfast or brunch. Check the bread’s name and nutritional information, not just its dark colour or seeds on the crust.
You’re looking for bread in different formats for several guests and don’t want to have to buy everything on the same day. The Voedingscentrum advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, then taking out what you need.
Choose this if: you want 100% wholemeal flour with a finer grind.
Bear in mind: finely milled flour doesn’t tell you whether your guests will enjoy the taste of the specific bread.
Choose this if: a blend of white and wholemeal flour suits your choice of bread better than a requirement for 100% wholemeal.
Bear in mind: brown bread isn’t the same as wholemeal bread; its colour doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour it contains.
Choose this if: familiar flavour or a white loaf is the priority for your guests.
Bear in mind: the Voedingscentrum’s example figures are 1,2 g of fibre per 45 g slice of white bread and 3,4 g per 50 g slice of wholemeal bread. Before you buy, compare the nutritional information for the specific loaves.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and crumb | Look for finely milled wholemeal if you want to try wholemeal bread; taste the specific loaf beforehand with the topping you plan to serve. | If my guests mainly eat white bread, I want to know whether they’ll like a finer crumb. For around 33% of consumers, flavour and texture are the top priority. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check that it is labelled wholemeal and compare the nutritional information of your chosen loaves for fibre content. | I want to know whether wholemeal flour is the basis of my Christmas bread, even if another loaf looks dark. Around 27% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Format and planning | Choose a suitable bread format and check the storage or baking instructions; freeze it in portions if needed. | For a brunch with several guests, I want to serve bread without having to get too much ready at once. For around 20% of consumers, planning is the most important factor. |
| Label information | Read the ingredients and allergen information; if salt or iodine is a concern, check the details for the specific loaf. | When I serve guests different types of bread, I want to know in advance which ingredients matter to them. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
The colour and name don’t replace the bread’s official description. The Voedingscentrum defines wholemeal bread as bread made from 100% wholemeal flour; brown bread also contains white flour.
If you specifically want wholemeal bread, check the name on the packaging or shelf label.
Lidl describes a specific bread variety as being made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour. That doesn’t tell you how another fine or dark loaf tastes or feels.
Taste the product you plan to serve before Christmas, ideally with the topping you’ll be serving it with.
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for prepacked products is shown on the label. You also need to know what you’re serving when it comes to loose bread rolls.
Ask about the allergens in each loose roll before you buy it. Keep products separate when serving if cross-contact is a concern for any guest.
Bread you don’t use straight away needs a storage plan. The Voedingscentrum advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it.
Take out what you need for each meal and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
A shop where you can compare white loaves with wholemeal options.
A range where you can compare finely milled wholemeal with white and brown bread.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a variety made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
A shop where you can compare white and wholemeal loaves side by side.
A range of bread and rolls for anyone looking to serve a variety of formats at the Christmas table.
A range where you can compare different types of bread using their packaging.
This round loaf is an option if you want to serve a whole loaf at the table. Before deciding whether it suits the balance of white and wholemeal you’re looking for, check its description and ingredients.
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This 550 g round loaf is a good fit for a Christmas table where you want to serve a whole loaf.
Allow time to defrost and bake before serving. Check the packaging for the bread description, ingredients, allergens and preparation instructions; a fine or soft crumb is not guaranteed.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour; brown bread combines wholemeal flour with white flour. If this distinction is important to your purchase, choose bread labelled wholemeal.
Finely milled wholemeal is an option if you want to stick with 100% wholemeal flour but prefer a finer grind. Brown bread is an alternative made with a blend, if 100% wholemeal isn’t essential. Taste the specific loaf beforehand, as flavour and crumb vary from product to product.
Before buying, ask for the allergen information for each loose roll you plan to serve. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, this information should be on the label of prepacked bread; don’t assume it’s the same as for another variety.
Yes. If the bread is suitable for freezing, you can freeze it in portions after buying it and take out what you need for each meal. This follows the Voedingscentrum’s storage advice; also follow the instructions on the packaging.
Check the ingredients of the specific loaf, including whether it lists baker’s salt. The Voedingscentrum describes bread as a source of iodine in the Dutch diet, but you can’t tell the composition of a particular loaf from its type of bread alone.
