Tea drinkers looking for a savoury base
If you’d rather have something savoury than a sweet biscuit with your tea, the thickness of the crispbread and your choice of topping are the main things that determine what suits you.
Which option is right for you?
Shoppers who value wholegrains and fibre
Compare the grains in the ingredients list and the nutritional information per 100 g. That way, you can assess specific varieties rather than relying on the name on the front of the pack.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients or allergens
Before eating, check the current label for any gluten-containing cereals and other allergens. A wholegrain variety is not automatically gluten-free.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you’re mainly looking for a wholegrain base, a particular texture or clear information about the ingredients. For anyone considering crispbread with tea, these are different reasons to check the label.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrains and fibre | Check the grains in the ingredients list and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. | I’m mainly looking for a wholegrain base with my tea and want to compare the nutritional information of different varieties. This is the main priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Texture and toppings | Consider whether you want a substantial or a thin cracker, and what you’d like to put on it. | I’d prefer a thin base for toppings, or perhaps a more substantial bite with a pronounced grain flavour. This preference is the deciding factor for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check both the ingredients list and the allergen and precautionary allergen information on the current pack. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to check whether a particular variety is suitable before eating it. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming wholegrain means gluten-free
Wholegrain describes the grain used; it doesn’t mean that a product is free from gluten. The Wasa varieties mentioned contain rye, while AH Knäckebröd wholegrain contains wheat and rye.
If you need to avoid gluten, check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific pack rather than relying on the word ‘wholegrain’.
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Assuming it contains iodine from baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the use of baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory. So the fact that a product is crispbread doesn’t mean it contains iodine.
If iodine is important to your choice, check the packaging; don’t automatically treat crispbread as a substitute for bread in this respect.
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Overlooking a ‘may contain’ warning
As well as ingredients such as rye or sesame, product information may also warn that other allergens could be present. This distinction matters if you need to avoid an allergen.
Check both statements on the current pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.
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Comparing nutritional information on different bases
Pack size and serving size are not the same as nutritional information per 100 g. A fibre figure on its own also doesn’t tell you how much salt a variety contains.
First compare fibre and salt on the same basis, per 100 g, then consider how much crispbread you actually have with your tea.
Brands to consider
Wasa
Wasa offers, among other products, wholegrain rye crispbread and a thin wholegrain rye variety with sesame.
- According to Wasa, Wholegrain and Thin Rye Wholegrain contain 20 g and 21 g of fibre per 100 g respectively.
- These figures apply to these varieties. For the thin variety, also check for sesame and the warning about possible traces of milk.
Ryvita
Original Crispbread is a rye cracker. Ryvita lists wholemeal rye flour, rye flour and salt as its ingredients.
- The ingredients make it clear which grain is at the heart of this particular variety.
- Check the pack you buy for the latest nutritional information and allergen details.
Albert Heijn
AH Knäckebröd wholegrain is a supermarket own-brand variety made with wholegrain wheat and rye, available in a 375 g pack.
- Albert Heijn states that this variety contains 12 g of fibre and 0.7 g of salt per 100 g.
- The ingredients also include wheat gluten and sesame. Check the current pack, as product information can change.
Goud Gebakken bij ALDI
ALDI describes Goud Gebakken Robust crispbread as a wholegrain variety with seeds, in a 265 g pack.
- It’s worth considering if you’re specifically looking for crispbread with seeds.
- Before comparing this variety with other products, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack in store.
Crispbread and crackers at Joybuy
These products include wholegrain crispbread and grain crackers to consider as a base with your tea. Choose according to the texture you prefer, and check the current label for nutritional information and allergens for each individual variety.
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Bolletje wholegrain crispbread, 265 g
An option if you’re looking for wholegrain crispbread to enjoy with your tea. If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack.
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Wasa High-Fiber crackers, 300 g
For anyone considering a grain cracker with their tea. If you’re looking specifically for classic crispbread, check the pack for the exact shape and ingredients, and read the allergen information.
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g'woon wholegrain crispbread, 375 g
The larger pack may suit you if you often have crispbread with toppings alongside your tea. If you have an allergy, compare the ingredients with the allergen information on the current packaging before eating it.
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Wasa Lightweight crackers, 300 g
A variety to consider if you’re looking for a thinner base for toppings. Compare the fibre content using a figure from the current label only, and read the allergen information.
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Wasa Wholegrain crispbread, 260 g
A wholegrain base for anyone who prefers savoury toppings with their tea. Check the label to compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and to see whether any allergens are listed.
Frequently asked questions
Is crispbread the same as a digestive biscuit to have with tea?
No, crispbread isn’t automatically a digestive biscuit. If you’re looking for something savoury with your tea, choose according to the thickness, ingredients and nutritional information of the specific crispbread.
Is wholegrain crispbread gluten-free?
No, wholegrain doesn’t mean gluten-free: the Wasa and Ryvita varieties mentioned contain rye, while AH Knäckebröd wholegrain contains wheat and rye. If you need to avoid gluten, check the label of the product you want to eat.
Does crispbread contain iodine from baker’s salt?
You can’t tell from the word crispbread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says baker’s salt is not compulsory in bread, so if iodine matters to you, look for an explicit statement on the packaging.
How do I keep crispbread crunchy after opening?
Store it somewhere dry in a tightly sealed container. For its wholegrain variety, Albert Heijn recommends using a sealed tin after opening. Also follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy.
Where can I find allergen information for prepacked crispbread?
Check the current label, both the ingredients list and any precautionary allergen warnings. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked foods.