Coffee drinkers looking for a flavour boost
If plain gingerbread feels a little ordinary for your coffee break, try a variety with pieces of ginger or pearl sugar. Also consider whether you’d rather slice a whole loaf or serve individual portions.
Which option is right for you?
Shoppers who compare labels
If you want to take sugar, fibre, salt, wholemeal flour or sweeteners into account, the nutritional information is a more useful guide than a description such as ‘luxury’.
Households choosing a size to suit how they’ll use it
A whole loaf may suit you if you enjoy several coffee breaks at home; individual portions are another option if you want to take some with you or have a slice now and then.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide whether flavour, nutritional information or ease of serving matters most to you. Then compare the packaging of the variety you actually want to buy.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and texture | Check which additions are listed in the ingredients and whether the gingerbread is pre-sliced. | I want something different from plain gingerbread with my coffee, such as ginger or a crunchy addition. Around 42% of consumers put this kind of flavour boost first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare sugar, fibre and salt per 100 g and per portion; also check the ingredients list for sweeteners. | If I’m choosing based on the ingredients, I don’t want to rely only on the wording on the front of the pack. For around 33% of consumers, comparing labels is the top priority. |
| Packaging and portions | Check the weight and choose between a whole loaf and individual portions. | If I enjoy several coffee breaks at home, I want a suitable size; individual portions are more practical to take with me. Size is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Taking ‘luxury’ to mean it’s more nutritious
A distinctive flavour or appearance doesn’t tell you how much sugar, fibre or salt a gingerbread contains. For example, PLUS lists 38,5 g of sugar and 0,66 g of salt per 100 g for its Korenlanders Bakkers plain gingerbread.
Use the flavour description to find a variety you like, but compare the nutritional table on the exact pack if the ingredients matter to you.
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Assuming ‘no added sugar’ means ‘sugar-free’
These descriptions don’t mean the same thing. The Peijnenburg wholemeal variety with no added sugar described by Joybuy contains xylitol and carries a warning that excessive consumption may have a laxative effect.
Check the sugar information, ingredients and warnings on the packaging before choosing this variety.
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Assuming another variety has the same allergens
Ingredients can vary from one gingerbread to another. Albert Heijn lists rye and gluten-containing cereals for Peijnenburg plain gingerbread in individual portions; the packaging may also list milk and nuts as possible allergens.
If you have an allergy, always check the allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying.
Brands and product ranges to explore
Peijnenburg
A range of flavours and pack types, including plain gingerbread in individual portions and wholemeal gingerbread.
- A good option if you want to compare flavours and portion sizes within one brand.
- Ingredients and warnings vary by variety, so always check the individual pack.
KOEK&BAKKER
ALDI offers products under this brand including an unsliced gingerbread with pieces of ginger and a variety with pearl sugar.
- These additions make it easier to choose between a ginger flavour and crunchy pearl sugar.
- The description ‘luxury’ isn’t an independent assessment of quality or nutritional value.
AH
Albert Heijn offers several types of gingerbread under its own brand, including plain and wholemeal varieties.
- Useful for comparing packaging and ingredients across different varieties.
- Assess the nutritional value of each product individually; the own-brand name alone doesn’t tell you anything about it.
Jumbo
According to Jumbo, its range includes plain, wholemeal and ginger gingerbread in different pack sizes.
- Offers a useful way to compare flavours and sizes within one range.
- Check which varieties are available when you shop.
PLUS Korenlanders
PLUS lists a 500 g whole loaf of its Bakkers plain gingerbread.
- A size to consider if you serve gingerbread with coffee at home several times.
- For this variety, PLUS lists 38,5 g of sugar and 0,66 g of salt per 100 g; compare these figures with your own preferences.
Gingerbread for coffee time on Joybuy
These products give you a choice of gingerbread with raisins, plain gingerbread and a variety with a sugar-related claim. Focus on comparing the flavour and packaging, and check sugar claims against the label.
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Snelle Jelle gingerbread with raisins, 325 g
An option if you’re looking for gingerbread with raisins to enjoy with your coffee, rather than a plain variety.
325 g pack. Compare the sugar information on the label when choosing. Also check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
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Snelle Jelle plain gingerbread, 325 g
For anyone who wants a plain variety with their coffee, without raisins as a flavour boost.
325 g pack. Compare the nutritional information with the raisin variety, and check the label if you have any allergies.
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Snelle Jelle Breakfast Cake Less Sugar-Free, 250 g
Worth a look if you want to compare sugar and ingredients when choosing gingerbread.
250 g pack. The name uses ‘Sugar-Free’, while other product copy refers to less added sugar. Don’t rely on either claim without checking the current label and nutritional information.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘no added sugar’ mean gingerbread is sugar-free?
No. A product with no added sugar may still contain sugar. Check the amount of sugar per 100 g on the packaging and see which sweeteners, if any, are listed in the ingredients.
Which allergens should I check in gingerbread?
Check the allergen information for the exact variety. Albert Heijn lists rye and gluten-containing cereals for Peijnenburg plain gingerbread in individual portions, with milk and nuts among the possible allergens. This doesn’t automatically apply to other gingerbread products.
Does all gingerbread contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No, that doesn’t follow from the Dutch rules for bakery products. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the conditions under which iodine compounds may be present in these products; the rules don’t confirm that every gingerbread contains baker’s salt or added iodine. For a specific product, check the ingredients with the manufacturer.
How should I store a whole gingerbread after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. PLUS recommends keeping its Bakkers gingerbread well sealed in a cool, dry place after opening.