Fussy eaters at coffee break
Looking for a crisp base for sweet or savoury toppings, and may prefer a wheat blend to a strongly rye-based variety. Taste and texture are a matter of personal preference.
Who might this choice matter to?
People keeping an eye on wholegrains and fibre
At a regular coffee break, they want to know whether the grain is entirely wholegrain and how much fibre the crispbread contains per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes fully wholegrain products from those that also contain non-wholemeal flour.
Shoppers comparing labels
As well as the grain composition, they check the salt content and ingredients such as wheat, rye or sesame. For allergen information, always refer to the current packaging of the variety you choose.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether a flour blend or a fully wholegrain base is right for your coffee break. Then compare the nutritional information and allergens of the varieties you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Taste and texture | Check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients and choose a variety with a texture that appeals to you. | If I don’t enjoy a strong rye base, I’d rather try a crisp wheat variety. For around 33% of consumers, taste and texture come first. |
| Wholegrains and fibre | Check the grain composition and compare the fibre per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes fully wholegrain products from flour blends. | For a regular coffee break, I mainly want the option of choosing a fully wholegrain base, even if the grain flavour is more pronounced. That’s the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Salt and allergens | Compare the salt per 100 g and read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. | If I need to keep an eye on salt or certain ingredients, I want to be able to assess a variety before eating it. Around 25% of consumers put checking the label first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a golden-brown colour means it’s fully wholegrain
Colour doesn’t tell you which types of flour have been used: Albert Heijn lists both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour in Wasa Goudbruin.
If a fully wholegrain base matters to you, check the ingredients list.
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Comparing fibre alone
A higher fibre value doesn’t tell you how much salt a variety contains. Jumbo’s product information lists 20 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g for Wasa Volkoren; for Bolletje Volkoren Knäckebröd, Jumbo lists 14 g of fibre and 0.97 g of salt per 100 g.
Compare both values on the same basis, per 100 g, and take the ingredients into account too.
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Skipping the allergen declaration
The varieties discussed use different grains; sesame is also listed for the Bolletje variety. Similar product names don’t mean the ingredients are the same.
If you have a food allergy or another dietary restriction, check the allergen information on the current packaging.
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Assuming all crispbread contains iodised salt
A mention of salt alone doesn’t tell you which type of salt has been used in the product.
Don’t assume it contains iodised baker’s salt unless this is confirmed in the product-specific information.
Brands to compare
Wasa
For this choice, both Goudbruin, made with a blend of flours, and Volkoren, made with rye, are worth considering.
- Albert Heijn lists wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour as ingredients in Wasa Goudbruin.
- Jumbo lists 20 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g for Wasa Volkoren. These values apply to that specific variety, not the brand as a whole.
Bolletje
The Volkoren Knäckebröd variety discussed is an alternative if you’re looking for a fully wholegrain base.
- Jumbo lists 14 g of fibre and 0.97 g of salt per 100 g for this variety.
- Check the packaging for the listed grains and sesame if these are relevant allergens for you.
Albert Heijn
AH Knäckebröd volkoren is an own-brand variety made with wholemeal wheat and rye flour.
- Albert Heijn lists a 375 g pack, with 12 g of fibre and 0.7 g of salt per 100 g.
- Check the current packaging for ingredients, nutritional information and allergens; product information may change.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists its own-brand Volkoren Knäckebröd alongside branded varieties.
- You can compare an own-brand product with other varieties by looking at their packaging and labels side by side.
- Check the nutritional information for the exact variety before basing a comparison on it.
Leksands
Albert Heijn lists several Leksands varieties in its range of rye crispbread.
- Worth a look if you’re specifically after a rye variety.
- Compare the ingredients, fibre and salt on the label of the variety you choose.
Crispbread at Joybuy
These products offer a few different options for your coffee break: a grain blend, wholegrain varieties and a crispbread described as light. A product name or description of its texture alone doesn’t guarantee a mild flavour; use the label to make your final comparison.
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g'woon Wholemeal crispbread 375 g
An option to consider if you’re looking for a blend of flours for your coffee break. The presence of rye doesn’t guarantee a mild flavour, so check the current allergen information too.
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Wasa Lightweight Crackers 300 g
An option if you’d like to compare a thin, crisp-textured base with a flour blend for your coffee break. Check the grain composition and allergens of this exact variety.
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Bolletje Wholegrain Crispbread 265 g
If you want to weigh up a fully wholegrain variety against a flour blend, this is one to consider. For Bolletje Volkoren Knäckebröd 265 g, Jumbo lists 14 g of fibre and 0.97 g of salt per 100 g; check the current packaging for allergens too.
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Wasa High-Fibre Crackers 300 g
For anyone who mainly wants to compare grain composition and nutritional information in a crisp base. Check the fibre and salt per 100 g on the label, and look at the allergens too.
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Bolletje Light Crispbread Golden Crisp 240 g
An option described as light for anyone who mainly focuses on texture at coffee break. Don’t assume ‘Golden Crisp’ means it’s made entirely with wholegrains; check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is golden-brown crispbread automatically fully wholegrain?
No. Albert Heijn lists both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour in Wasa Goudbruin. Read the ingredients list if you want a base made entirely from wholegrains.
Does all crispbread contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t assume that for every product. A mention of salt doesn’t confirm which type has been used; check the product-specific information if this matters to your choice.
Are the wholegrain varieties discussed gluten-free?
No. The Wasa, Bolletje and AH varieties discussed contain gluten-containing grains such as wheat, rye or barley. If you need to avoid these, always check the label on the exact pack.
How can I keep crispbread crisp after opening?
Store it in a dry, airtight container, following the storage instructions on the packaging you choose. For AH Knäckebröd volkoren, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin after opening.