A half wholemeal loaf is a good fit for a coffee morning with just a few guests if you’re unlikely to finish a whole loaf before you need to store or freeze it. Then choose a texture your guests will enjoy and check the label on the exact loaf for fibre, ingredients and allergens. You can freeze any leftover slices from a half loaf in portions, too.
If you’re only serving a few slices, a half loaf may be a better match for what you’ll use. Freeze any leftover slices in portions if needed. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days, or in the freezer for 1–3 months.
For a soft slice, you could look at a round or fine-textured loaf; if you prefer more texture from the grains, compare a coarse variety. Albert Heijn describes AH Rond volkoren half as light and soft, and also sells a coarse half wholemeal loaf.
If ingredients or allergens matter to your guests, compare the packaging for the exact loaf. The half-loaf varieties reviewed contain different grains and other ingredients, so the product name alone won’t tell you everything.
First, work out how many slices you’ll need for your coffee morning and what you’ll do with any that are left. Then compare the texture and label, and check how to buy the loaf if you need to pick it up on a particular day.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and storage | Estimate how many slices you’ll need and decide whether you can freeze the rest in portions. | With just a few guests, I don’t want to be left with bread I can’t use in time. Getting the quantity right is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Texture | Check whether the bread is described as fine, soft or coarse, and look at the grains or seeds listed. | For my guests, I’m mainly looking for a slice with a texture they’ll enjoy. This preference is the deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
| Fibre and ingredients | Compare fibre per 100 g and check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging. | When I buy bread for guests, I want to know which grains and other ingredients it contains. Around 27% of consumers put checking the label first. |
| How to buy | Check whether you need to buy your chosen loaf in store and whether it’s available locally. | I need to be able to pick up the bread before the coffee morning, without relying on an ordering option that isn’t available. For around 20% of consumers, how they can buy it is the first consideration. |
A smaller pack doesn’t automatically prevent bread from going to waste. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread is among the foods most often wasted.
Count how many slices you expect to serve, then freeze any you won’t use soon in portions after buying the loaf.
Even half wholemeal loaves vary in fibre content and ingredients. For example, Jumbo lists 7.6 g of fibre per 100 g for Fijn Volkoren Half, while PLUS lists 6.8 g per 100 g for Grof Volkoren Half.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the ingredients for the variety you’re actually buying.
The wholemeal varieties reviewed contain gluten-containing grains. PLUS Grof Volkoren Half also lists soya; other ingredients and potential allergens vary by loaf.
Ask your guests in advance which ingredients they need to avoid, and keep the current packaging to hand.
Lidl states that Halfje extra volkorenbrood is only available in store. So, seeing a product page doesn’t necessarily mean you can order the loaf online.
Check how to buy it and whether it’s available at your chosen store shortly before your coffee morning.
These brands offer specific half wholemeal loaves to compare. Always assess the ingredients and information for each variety individually.
Albert Heijn sells, among other options, a round, soft half wholemeal loaf and a coarse variety.
Jumbo sells fine and round half wholemeal varieties for anyone looking to compare those bread textures.
PLUS sells, among other options, a coarse half wholemeal loaf and a dark Korenlanders variety.
Lidl lists Halfje extra volkorenbrood as a 400 g variety.
ALDI sells Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood half, described as a dark bread with seeds and grains.
Dirk sells Bakker van der Akker Boeren volkoren half.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days, or in the freezer for 1–3 months. If you have slices left after your coffee morning, you can freeze them in portions.
No. Even a half loaf may contain more slices than you’ll use for a small coffee morning. Choose a quantity that suits your guests, and freeze any leftovers if you won’t eat them soon.
The half-loaf varieties reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list gluten-containing grains. Check the current allergen information for each variety you’re considering; don’t rely on descriptions such as fine, round or coarse alone.
Read the ingredients on the packaging for the exact loaf. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for the AH Boeren grof volkorenbrood half reviewed here; don’t assume this applies to every other variety.
No. A product page doesn’t always mean you can order a loaf online. Lidl says Halfje extra volkorenbrood is only available in store, so check how to buy it shortly before you do your shopping.
