Classic kaiser rolls are a good fit for budget shopping if the familiar shape, pack size and number of rolls are your priorities. If you specifically want sourdough, check the ingredients of the exact product and bear in mind that it may come in a different shape. Also compare the preparation instructions, nutritional information and allergens on the packaging.
You’re looking for rolls for breakfast or lunch and want to know how many rolls and how many grams you’ll get in a pack. The pack details differ between the classic kaiser rolls from Jumbo and ALDI, so compare the product you actually plan to use.
You check whether the product information mentions sourdough or a sourdough starter. A pistolet or demi-baguette might suit you, but it isn’t the same shape as a kaiser roll.
You compare ingredients, nutritional information, allergens and the type of salt used. This is particularly important if a similar product name doesn’t tell you enough about what’s in it.
First decide whether you want to stick with the kaiser roll shape or choose a roll made with sourdough. Then check the pack size, ingredients and any other information that matters to you for each product.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and portions | Check the number of rolls, the total weight and whether they’re bake-at-home rolls or fresh rolls. | I want to buy rolls for several meals, so I check how many I can actually use. For around 36% of consumers, portion size is the main consideration. |
| Sourdough and roll shape | Look for sourdough or a sourdough starter in the product information, and check whether you’re choosing a kaiser roll, pistolet or demi-baguette. | If I’m looking for sourdough, I’m happy to choose a different shape as long as the ingredients suit my needs. This combination is the most important factor for around 29% of consumers. |
| Grains and nutritional information | Compare the types of grain listed, any wholemeal flour content and the nutritional values per 100 g. | I choose my rolls partly on the basis of the grains and fibre listed, not just the name. Roughly 21% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Allergens and type of salt | Read the allergen information and check the ingredients list for iodised salt or baker’s salt. | If I need to watch out for certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the current packaging. For around 14% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
Sourdough rolls in supermarkets also come in other shapes, such as pistolets and demi-baguettes. Jumbo’s White Sourdough Rolls, for example, list both sourdough and yeast, as well as wheat.
Check the shape and ingredients of the exact product. And don’t assume that a roll is gluten-free just because it’s described as sourdough.
The name organic bread, sourdough roll or kaiser roll doesn’t tell you what type of salt is used in that particular product.
Look for iodised salt or baker’s salt in the ingredients list on packaged products. If you’re buying a loose roll, ask which ingredients have been used.
Sourdough rolls may contain wheat, spelt or sesame, and the information can vary from product to product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergens must be listed on the label.
Check the current allergen information for the exact roll you’re choosing, including any warnings about possible traces.
These examples show the shapes and ingredients you can compare across the products listed. A sourdough roll isn’t necessarily a kaiser roll.
Albert Heijn describes its Liefde & Passie organic multiseed sourdough pistolet as an individual roll made with organic ingredients.
Jumbo stocks both classic kaiser rolls and packaged White Sourdough Rolls.
PLUS stocks products including demi-baguettes, spelt pistolets and sourdough pumpkin rolls.
Lidl describes its bake-at-home kaiser rolls as an in-store product.
ALDI lists DE AFBAKKER white kaiser rolls as bake-at-home rolls.
Dirk stocks kaiser rolls alongside other types of bake-at-home bread.
This product is a good fit if you’re looking for a kaiser roll. If you’re also looking for sourdough, you can check the listed ingredients without assuming the roll is the same as the supermarket pistolets made with sourdough.
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For anyone looking for a kaiser roll who also wants to check whether sourdough is listed.
The pack contains four rolls, weighing 200 g in total. The ingredients listed include sourdough powder, yeast and iodised salt. The presence of sourdough powder doesn’t necessarily make this a sourdough roll.
The product information lists cereals containing gluten, milk, sesame and soya. If you have allergies, check the current packaging, including the preparation instructions and nutritional information.
No. The term sourdough doesn’t tell you the full nutritional value. Compare the ingredients, fibre and salt listed per 100 g on the packaging of the rolls you’re considering.
No. The sourdough products described by Jumbo and PLUS list wheat and/or spelt. Check the allergen information, and only assume a product is gluten-free if this is explicitly stated for the one you’ve chosen.
For a packaged roll, look for iodised salt or baker’s salt in the ingredients list. If you’re buying a loose roll, ask the shop or bakery which type of salt is used. The word sourdough doesn’t tell you this.
Follow the instructions on the packaging you’ve chosen, as preparation varies from one roll to another. PLUS recommends baking its White Sourdough Demi Baguette for 8–10 minutes at 220 °C. Don’t assume the same instructions will work for another product.
