If you’re looking for a larger herring bite, compare the shape and visible slice thickness of rectangular toast and baguette toast; the name ‘thick cut’ alone tells you nothing about how much topping it can hold. If you’re preparing your toast in advance, a product-specific claim about staying crisp for longer may be more relevant. Van der Meulen describes its Melba Toast Naturel as thinly sliced bread, making it a good match for smaller, lighter toppings.
If topped pieces of toast are going to sit out for a while, staying crisp matters more than simply looking thick. According to Jumbo’s product description, Haust Krokant Toast stays crisp for extra long after you add toppings; this claim does not apply to other types of toast or every topping.
For a larger topped bite featuring Dutch new-season herring, compare the shape of rectangular toast and baguette toast. ALDI describes Van Vlegelaar Krokante Tarwe Toast as rectangular, but its shape alone doesn’t tell you how much topping it can hold.
Melba toast can be a good choice for small, light toppings. Van der Meulen describes its Melba Toast Naturel as bread that is thinly sliced and then toasted; don’t choose this variety if you’re specifically looking for a thick base.
First decide how large you want the bites to be and how far in advance you’ll prepare them. Then check the chosen pack for slice shape, ingredients and allergens.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Staying crisp | Check whether the product description says anything about staying crisp after adding toppings; if you’re using a moist topping, try it on one piece of toast first. | I prepare the bites in advance and want to stop the toast going soft before serving. Staying crisp is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Shape and surface area | Compare the shape and visible slice thickness with your planned topping; a rectangular shape doesn’t prove how much it can hold. | For a generous herring bite, I want enough room for the topping without relying on ‘thick cut’ alone. This shape is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label for your chosen variety, including any mention of iodised salt. | I need to know which ingredients and allergens the toast contains before serving. Around 25% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
Crisp or rectangular toast isn’t automatically a thick slice that can keep a heavy or moist topping in place.
Look at the slice in the pack and, if you’re unsure, try one piece with the topping you plan to serve.
Van der Meulen describes Melba Toast Naturel as thinly sliced bread. It works well for small bites, but that doesn’t mean it provides a sturdy base for a larger herring bite.
For a larger bite, compare rectangular toast and baguette toast too, and check the actual shape in store.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the toast category alone won’t tell you which salt has been used in a particular variety.
Check the ingredients list or, for unpackaged products, ask the baker or producer.
The product specifications for Haust Krokant Toast and Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel list different ingredients and possible traces. Other varieties may have a different composition.
Read the current label on every pack you choose, even if you’ve bought the brand before.
Toast range including Krokant Toast and Party Extra, as listed in Jumbo’s selection.
Melba toast range with several varieties, including Naturel and Volkoren, according to Jumbo’s selection.
Own-brand Melba toast for small topped bites.
Melba Toast Naturel, available from ALDI.
No. The term alone doesn’t tell you how thick the slice is or how much it can hold. Check the visible thickness on the pack and, if you’re using a heavy or moist topping, try it on one piece of toast first.
If you’re mainly looking for a thick base, Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel may not be the best choice: the brand describes this variety as thinly sliced bread. Melba toast can work well for a small bite with a light topping.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for your chosen toast or, for an unpackaged product, ask the producer or baker which salt they use.
If you’re using a moist topping, try it on one piece of toast first and, if needed, wait until shortly before serving to add the rest. Follow the pack instructions for storing any unused toast.
