For a Christmas table catering to different tastes, pair crispbread labelled wholegrain with a variety that has a different flavour or texture. Choose the second variety for its flavour, not just its colour: check the ingredients and allergens on both packs, especially if guests need to avoid anything.
If not everyone at the table enjoys the same grain flavour or texture, serve a clearly different variety alongside wholegrain crispbread. Dutch supermarket ranges, including those at Jumbo and Albert Heijn, offer a choice of flavours and styles.
If you’re looking for wholegrain crispbread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says to check for the wholegrain label: for crispbreads, this means the flour used is entirely wholegrain. Then compare the fibre content on the packs of the products you’re considering.
If you’re buying for someone who needs to avoid gluten or a particular seed, check each variety individually. Rye, wheat, barley and sesame are found in the crispbread varieties reviewed; a wholegrain label does not mean a product is suitable for a gluten-free diet.
First decide which flavours you want to serve at your Christmas table. Then check the wholegrain label, nutritional information and any allergens that matter to your guests on each pack.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Variety of flavours | Alongside a wholegrain option, choose a variety with a different flavour or texture; a golden-brown colour doesn’t prove that it’s wholegrain. | If guests enjoy different flavours, I don’t want to fill the whole platter with just one variety. Flavour variety comes first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Look for the wholegrain label and compare the stated fibre content per 100 g on the packs you choose. | If I also want my usual wholegrain choice on the Christmas table, a brown colour isn’t enough. Wholegrain and fibre are the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen information for each variety; if a guest needs to eat gluten-free, choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free. | If I’m buying for someone who needs to avoid gluten or sesame, suitability comes before a different flavour. This is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
| Quantity | Compare the weight and number of pieces in each pack, and read the storage instructions for opened packs. | For a shared table, I want enough pieces without opening more of an unfamiliar flavour than needed. The amount needed comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
The colour or flavour name doesn’t confirm what flour has been used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a crispbread can only be called wholegrain if the flour used is entirely wholegrain.
For your wholegrain option, look for that label on the pack; assess a second flavour separately.
Not every baker uses baking salt, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. So don’t assume, without checking the product information, that the crispbread you choose contains iodine-enriched baking salt.
Check the ingredients list on the relevant pack if the type of salt used matters to your choice.
Rye contains gluten, and sesame may be a relevant allergen for some guests. So a wholegrain or seed-rich variety isn’t automatically suitable for everyone at the table.
Keep the pack beside the serving plate so guests can check the ingredients and allergen information for the variety they’re eating.
Wasa offers rye crispbread, as well as varieties with different flavours or textures.
Bolletje is worth considering if you’re looking at a different flavour or texture alongside a classic option.
Albert Heijn’s own brand offers various crispbread options to compare by flavour and information on the pack.
Jumbo’s own brand is an option to compare if you want to serve a wholegrain classic alongside a different variety.
ALDI’s Goud Gebakken range includes wholegrain crispbread and a Robust variety with seeds.
These products include a wholegrain-labelled option and varieties with different grain or herb flavours. For your Christmas table, check each pack to see whether it suits your guests’ tastes and any allergies.
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An option for the wholegrain base of your Christmas platter. The pack contains 260 g; check the current ingredients and allergens before serving it to guests.
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A variety to consider alongside your classic option if you want to compare nutritional information. The pack contains 300 g; check the fibre content per 100 g, ingredients and allergens on the label. Don’t assume it’s entirely wholegrain based on the name alone.
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Another crispbread option for a platter with more than one choice. The pack contains 265 g; check the ingredients list to assess whether this variety is wholegrain and whether it contains any allergens.
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A rosemary and salt variety for anyone looking to serve a different flavour alongside the classic option. The pack contains 190 g; check the salt content per 100 g and the allergen information if they matter to your guests.
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A 375 g pack to consider when you’re catering for several guests. Don’t judge whether it’s entirely wholegrain by the product name alone: check the ingredients on this pack, as well as the allergens.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a crispbread can only be called wholegrain if the flour used is entirely wholegrain. A brown or golden-brown colour doesn’t confirm this, so check the label on the pack you choose.
No, don’t assume that it does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baking salt. Check the ingredients for the crispbread in question if the type of salt used matters to your choice.
No. Rye is a gluten-containing grain, as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out. Choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free for that guest, and check the allergen information on the pack too.
Keep it dry and seal opened packs tightly. Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve bought, especially if you open several packs at different times.
