Who is a mixed bread basket suitable for?

Hosts catering for different bread preferences

You want guests to be able to choose between a white roll and one clearly labelled as wholemeal, without assuming that everyone likes the same thing.

Anyone looking for a clearly identifiable wholemeal option

You want to be able to check the product description and ingredients to see whether a roll contains wholemeal flour, rather than judging by its colour or relying on the word ‘multigrain’ alone.

Anyone catering for allergies

Ask your guests in advance which ingredients they need to avoid, and check the current label on the rolls you plan to serve. Even if a product is gluten-free, other allergens may still be present.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, find out about your guests’ bread preferences and any allergies you need to consider. Then choose your rolls and check that you’ll have time to prepare them.

What to consider What to look for Who it matters to
Choosing between white and wholemeal Choose a white roll and one clearly labelled as wholemeal. Make sure guests can tell which is which when you serve them. If my guests don’t all want the same type of bread, I want to be able to offer both. This choice is the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Identifying wholemeal Read the product description and ingredients. ‘Multigrain’ alone doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour a roll contains. I want to be able to identify a wholemeal roll from the packaging, not just its colour. This reassurance matters most to around 31% of consumers.
Allergens and dietary requirements Ask which allergens are relevant and read the current label. Even with a gluten-free roll, check the other ingredients and allergens too. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know which roll I can serve them. Checking this is the top priority for around 23% of consumers.
Preparation and quantities Check how many rolls are in each pack and compare the baking instructions with your oven space and serving time. I want to put enough rolls on the table without baking holding up dinner. This planning is the top priority for around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes when putting a selection together

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    A roll can contain several types of grain without being fully wholemeal. The difference matters if you specifically want to offer your guests a wholemeal option.

    Read the product description and check which grains and how much wholemeal flour are listed in the ingredients.

  • Assuming gluten-free means free from all allergens

    A gluten-free label doesn’t mean that a roll is free from all other allergens.

    Ask which allergens are relevant to your guest and check the label on the exact product you’re serving.

  • Trying to bake all the rolls at the same time

    If packs have different instructions or all the rolls won’t fit in the oven at once, serving them could take longer than planned.

    Compare the preparation instructions in advance and, if necessary, bake the rolls in batches.

  • Assuming an online range reflects local stock

    A product listed on a retailer’s website isn’t necessarily available at the shop where you do your shopping. On its product page for a specific wholemeal roll, Jumbo says it’s no longer available online.

    Just before you go shopping, check which white and wholemeal options are available at your chosen shop.

Brands with suitable rolls

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists individual white and wholemeal rolls, so you can combine two clearly labelled varieties.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information states that its wholemeal roll contains 100% wholemeal flour and 7,1 g of fibre per 100 g; its white roll contains 2,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Check the current packaging for ingredients and allergens when you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s roll category includes white and multiseed varieties, among others, so you can compare different types of bread.

  • The category lists rolls in multi-packs.
  • Jumbo says on the page for a specific wholemeal variety that it’s no longer available online. Check the current range before making your choice.

PLUS

PLUS lists white, multigrain and separate gluten-free rolls. Check whether each variety suits your guests’ requirements.

  • The ingredients information for its multigrain rolls lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour. Its gluten-free multiseed rolls are labelled as a separate product.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on each pack; a gluten-free label doesn’t replace this check.

Dirk

Dirk lists white, brown and multigrain rolls, both individually and in packs.

  • Dirk describes its multigrain variety as a pack of four rolls.
  • If you specifically want to offer wholemeal bread, check the product description and ingredients for the variety you choose.

ALDI

ALDI lists individual white rolls and also offers other rolls in its bakery range.

  • Buying white rolls individually lets you choose how many to add to the basket.
  • Check which other rolls are available locally and read the current product information for details of allergens.

White rolls for a mixed bread basket on Joybuy

These white rolls are a good fit for the white part of a bread basket for guests with different preferences. If you’d also like to serve a wholemeal option, choose a separate roll that’s clearly labelled as wholemeal.

g'woon white rustic rolls, 4 pieces

g'woon white rustic rolls, 4 pieces

A white option for a mixed bread basket; the pack contains four rolls.

Before serving, check the current label for allergens and baking instructions.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a multigrain roll the same as a wholemeal roll?

No, ‘multigrain’ and ‘wholemeal’ don’t mean the same thing. If you want to serve a clearly identifiable wholemeal option, check the product description and ingredients. PLUS lists 56% wholemeal wheat flour in its multigrain rolls, while Albert Heijn says its wholemeal roll contains 100% wholemeal flour.

How do I plan to bake different types of rolls?

Follow the instructions on the current packaging for each type. Compare the baking times before you start, and plan to bake in batches if all the rolls won’t fit in the oven at once.

Should I check for allergens in both white and wholemeal rolls?

Yes, check the current label on both types for any allergens that are relevant to your guests. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be listed on food labels. Even if you’re serving a separate gluten-free roll, you should still check for other relevant allergens.