Host catering for different bread preferences
Want to cater both for fans of Italian-style bread and guests who prefer wholemeal? Offering two clearly distinct types means they don’t have to settle for one multigrain loaf as a compromise.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Diner who prefers wholemeal
If you’d like to offer a wholemeal choice with antipasti, soup or pasta, check the product description. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread contains more fibre than white bread made with refined flour. The colour or the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that a loaf is wholemeal.
Guest who needs to avoid gluten or wheat
For someone who needs to eat gluten-free, ordinary white, wholemeal or multigrain bread isn’t a suitable option by default. Check the product description and allergen information for a separate product, and avoid contact with crumbs from other bread. If someone has a wheat allergy, check the ingredients for wheat even on a gluten-free product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide which bread preferences you want to cater for at the table. Then choose a bread shape and preparation method to suit when you’ll be serving it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Choice of bread | If you like, choose an Italian-style loaf as well as a separate loaf labelled ‘wholemeal’, and keep the types clearly identifiable when serving. | If my guests have different preferences, I don’t want everyone to have to make do with one unclear in-between option. For around 31% of consumers, having that choice is the top priority. |
| Preparation and serving | Compare the shape and portion size, and if you’re buying part-baked bread, read the preparation instructions on the packaging. | When bread is served with antipasti or dips, I want to know how much preparation is needed before serving. Practical serving is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and check the ingredients list on multigrain bread. Compare fibre values only on the same basis, for example per 100 g. | Even alongside Italian-style bread, I want to be able to choose a loaf that is clearly wholemeal. Around 23% of consumers say this check is their top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | For a gluten-free option, check the packaging and keep the bread separate. If someone has a wheat allergy, also check the ingredients specifically for wheat. | If a guest needs to avoid gluten or wheat, I don’t want the wrong bread or shared crumbs to get in the way. For around 15% of consumers, this check comes before other bread preferences. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ means that at least three types of grain have been used. The name doesn’t tell you whether the bread is made entirely with wholemeal flour.
If you specifically want wholemeal bread, look for that wording on the packaging and read the ingredients list.
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Assuming all bread contains iodised salt
The word ‘bread’ doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in a particular product. Brood.net says that using iodised baker’s salt is not compulsory.
If this matters for your purchase, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt.
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Serving gluten-free bread on the same board
According to the Voedingscentrum, contact with crumbs from ordinary bread is also a concern when someone needs to follow a strict gluten-free diet.
Choose a suitable packaged product, keep it separate, and use clean serving utensils and a separate board. If someone has a wheat allergy, also check the ingredients for wheat.
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Treating an online product description as the definitive label
Ingredients and allergen information can change from one product to another, so PLUS advises checking the packaging when you buy.
Check the current packaging, especially if wholemeal status, allergens or preparation instructions will determine your choice.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers both white and wholemeal baguettes in its bread range.
- Having the two types separately makes it easy to serve a platter with a clear choice.
- Check whether your chosen variety is available in your shop, and read the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s range distinguishes between white, wholemeal, multigrain and gluten-free bread, among other types.
- These categories give you a starting point for comparing bread for different guests.
- Check the details of each product: multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal.
Lidl
Lidl distinguishes between white, brown, multigrain and wholemeal bread.
- The category labels can help you find a separate wholemeal option.
- Check the shape and availability of the specific product you want to serve.
ALDI
ALDI offers fresh white and wholemeal bread, as well as part-baked options such as ciabatta, focaccia and Italian rolls.
- This gives you the option of serving an Italian-style loaf alongside a separate wholemeal choice.
- For part-baked bread, read the preparation instructions and check the latest product details.
PLUS
PLUS offers wholemeal rolls alongside white bread varieties, among other options.
- Rolls make a clearly distinct wholemeal option for the table.
- PLUS notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so check the packaging.
Dirk
Dirk offers part-baked bread in shapes such as Italian rolls, ciabatta and wholemeal baguettes.
- These bread shapes work well on a platter with separate choices.
- Check the product description and allergens for each variety; the shape alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal.
Bread options on Joybuy
These products offer separate options for an Italian-style bread board: wholemeal bread, Italian-style breads and a multigrain baguette. If you want to serve both a white and a wholemeal option, choose and check each product separately.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Round Wholemeal Bread 550 g
A separate wholemeal option to serve alongside an Italian-style loaf. This round loaf weighs 550 g. Allow time to defrost and bake before serving, and follow the instructions on the packaging.
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Souq Lebanese Wholemeal Flatbread, 6 pieces
For anyone who wants to serve wholemeal flatbread with dips. Lebanese flatbread is a little different from ciabatta or focaccia; this product contains wheat and gluten.
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g'woon Italian Rolls 200 g
An Italian-style bread to consider serving alongside a separate wholemeal option. Before buying, check the packaging for the number of rolls, preparation instructions and allergen information; the listed ingredients include wheat flour.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Ciabatta 4 × 135 g
Four individual ciabatta rolls to share at a meal. Allow time to defrost and bake according to the packaging; add another bread if you’d also like to serve a wholemeal option. The listed ingredients include wheat.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette 4 × 135 g
A multigrain loaf to serve as a separate option at the table. The four baguettes need to be defrosted and baked; check the packaging for preparation instructions. The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that this bread is wholemeal.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread the same as wholemeal bread?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but the name doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour it contains. Look for the label ‘wholemeal’ if you specifically want to buy bread made entirely with wholemeal flour.
Does all bread contain iodised baker’s salt?
Don’t assume that it does. Brood.net says that using iodised baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. If the type of salt used matters to you, check the ingredients list of the bread you choose.
How can I cater for a guest who needs to eat gluten-free?
Choose a product clearly labelled as gluten-free and serve it separately, with clean utensils and no crumbs from ordinary bread. If the guest has a wheat allergy, also check the ingredients and allergen information for wheat; a gluten-free label alone won’t answer that question.
How can I avoid having lots of bread left over when serving two types?
Plan the quantities according to the number of guests and consider whether smaller rolls or portions would suit your table. Follow the storage or freezing instructions for each product rather than assuming the same storage time applies to all bread.
Can you cook part-baked bread for an Italian evening in an air fryer?
You can, if the packaging for that part-baked bread gives air frying as an option. ALDI lists an air fryer as a way to prepare its part-baked rolls; check the instructions for your chosen product to see which cooking method is suitable.