When choosing crackers for a coffee break, check how many are in each sealed inner pack rather than relying on the label ‘individually wrapped’. Bolletje lists two crackers per pack, which is handy if you only want to open a few at a time. AH and Van der Meulen offer Melba toast in packs of six for serving more at each table or round. Also check that the flavour goes with what you’re serving, and always read the label on the pack you’ve bought if you have questions about allergens.
For a small coffee break, you may only want to open a limited amount just before serving. So check how many crackers or pieces of toast are in each sealed inner pack, rather than looking only at the number of packs in the box.
If guests need to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, the information on the pack you’re actually serving is what matters when making your choice. An individual pack doesn’t replace checking the label.
Inner packs can be useful when serving in several rounds, as you don’t have to open everything at once. Check how much is in each pack, though: an inner pack isn’t necessarily a portion for one guest.
Start with the amount you want to serve at a time. Then compare the flavour, ingredients and nutritional information on the labels of the products you’re considering for your coffee break.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size and leftovers | Check how many pieces are in each sealed inner pack and compare that with how much you want to serve at a time. Bolletje lists two crackers per pack; Albert Heijn lists six pieces of toast per pack for AH Melba toast naturel. | For a small group, I don’t want to open a large pack just for a few guests. For around 36% of consumers, the size of the sealed portion would come first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’ve bought. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information must be shown on the label of prepacked foods. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to see what’s in the product before serving it. For around 29% of consumers, this check would be their top priority. |
| Serving and flavour | Decide whether you want a neutral base for toppings or a seasoned cracker, and how many pieces of toast to put on each table. | When guests choose their own toppings, I want the crackers to suit the way they’re being served. For around 21% of consumers, the serving format and flavour would carry the most weight. |
| Nutritional information | Compare fibre and salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g, and read the ingredients list too. | When choosing between similar products in inner packs, I want to weigh up fibre and salt without focusing on just one feature. For around 14% of consumers, nutritional information would be the main consideration. |
Several inner packs don’t mean that each cracker is wrapped separately. For example, according to Albert Heijn, AH Melba toast naturel contains six pieces of toast per pack.
Check the pack for both the number of packs and the number of pieces in each one. Base your choice on how much you’ll open at a time.
Information about fibre doesn’t tell you how much salt a product contains or what ingredients it includes. Albert Heijn lists 9 g of fibre and 2,1 g of salt per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba toast meergranen.
Compare fibre and salt in the nutritional information per 100 g, and check the ingredients and allergens separately.
Ingredients and allergens matter when deciding what you can offer your guests. An online description is no substitute for the information on the pack you’re serving.
Check the current packaging before serving, especially if a guest needs to avoid an allergen.
Bolletje describes its Ciabatta Crackers Tomaat & Kruiden as being packed in pairs. That format is useful if you only want to open a few crackers at a time.
According to Albert Heijn, AH Melba toast naturel contains twelve packs of six pieces of toast, offering a neutral base for toppings.
According to Albert Heijn, Van der Meulen Melba toast meergranen comes in six packs of six pieces of toast.
According to Jumbo’s product information, LiGA Cracotte 5 Granen has two inner packs.
ALDI lists Sun Snacks crackers and Melba Toast Naturel as packaging options to consider if you’re also looking for a suitable size in store.
These plain mini crackers are one option to serve with coffee. If you want to keep some crackers sealed for a later serving round, check how the inner packaging is sealed before you buy.
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A plain mini cracker to serve with coffee.
Weight: 250 g. If you want to keep some unopened for another round, check whether the inner packs are individually sealed.
If you have questions about allergies, read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you buy.
No, the description doesn’t tell you how many pieces are in each sealed pack. Bolletje lists crackers in packs of two, while Albert Heijn lists AH Melba toast naturel in packs of six pieces; check the exact pack size to be sure.
Only open the inner packs you need at the time, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging for the rest. Once a pack is open, reseal it as directed.
You can only assess this for each product and guest by checking the current label. Before serving, check both the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ve bought; a small, sealed inner pack doesn’t mean the product is suitable for someone with an allergy.
Look for the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label of prepacked foods. When choosing, use the label on the pack you’re actually serving.
