If you’re looking for a slice of bread to enjoy with your coffee, check the slicing thickness of the specific product before choosing: ‘fine’ and ‘sliced’ don’t confirm that it’s medium-sliced. If you want wholemeal bread, also check the product name, ingredients and nutritional information. Always refer to the current packaging for allergen and bakers’ salt information.
You’re looking for a slice that’s easy to top, with wholemeal bread as your starting point. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is particularly high in fibre, vitamins and minerals. The slicing thickness you want is a separate detail to check.
You want to know which allergens are listed for each loaf and whether bakers’ salt has been used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using bakers’ salt when baking bread isn’t compulsory. Even with a familiar brand, the label on the loaf you choose is what matters.
You’re weighing up a whole loaf against a half loaf and checking the storage advice. A smaller size or freezing the bread may be more practical if you’d otherwise have some left over.
First, check whether the slice suits the way you enjoy bread with your coffee. Then compare the type of bread, the size and any label information that matters to you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check that the bread is explicitly labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g on the label. | If I regularly eat bread with my coffee, I want to know that my choice is genuinely wholemeal. Around 36% of consumers are said to focus mainly on wholemeal bread and fibre. |
| Slicing thickness and ease of topping | If ‘medium-sliced’ isn’t stated, ask how thick the specific loaf is sliced; you could also check the weight per slice. | For my coffee break, I want a slice that’s easy and enjoyable to top and eat. Around 29% of consumers are said to prioritise a suitable slicing thickness. |
| Size and storage | Compare whole and half loaves, and read the storage or freezing advice for the product you choose. | If I only have bread with my coffee now and then, I want to avoid a whole loaf being left uneaten. Portion size and storage are said to be the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Bakers’ salt and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergen information and salt per 100 g on the current packaging. | If I need to keep an eye on bakers’ salt or allergens, I want to be able to check the information for this specific loaf. Around 14% of consumers are said to make this label check their top priority. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using bakers’ salt when baking bread isn’t compulsory. So you can’t tell whether bakers’ salt has been used just from the type of bread.
Check the ingredients list for bakers’ salt, or ask the baker if this is relevant to your choice.
The label ‘multigrain’ doesn’t, by itself, mean that a loaf is entirely wholemeal. You could end up choosing a different mix of grains from the one you intended.
Check the product name and ingredients list. If fibre matters to you, compare the values per 100 g.
‘Fine’ may describe the bread without confirming that the slices are the thickness you want.
Look for an explicit slicing description on the product, or ask the shop or baker how thick the slices are.
If you only have bread with your coffee occasionally, some may be left over before you get round to eating it.
Consider a half loaf or follow the freezing instructions for the specific product.
The wholemeal range includes options such as artisan-style loaves and full-size loaves.
The range includes options such as fine and round wholemeal bread.
PLUS Round Fine Wholemeal Half Loaf is an example of a smaller wholemeal loaf.
At Dirk, this bread range includes half farmhouse loaves and half wholemeal tin loaves.
Waldkorn appears alongside other bread varieties in supermarket ranges.
These two rye bread products are worth a look if rye bread suits the way you enjoy coffee. Check the slicing thickness of both products before choosing one for a medium-sliced sandwich.
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A rye bread option if you’re looking for this type of bread to enjoy with your coffee. The product name specifies a pack of 9 pieces. Check the slicing thickness, ingredients and allergens on the current packaging.
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An option to consider if you’re thinking of having rye bread with your coffee. The pack is labelled 500 g. Check that the shape and any slices suit your preference, and make sure to check the current ingredients and allergen information.
No, not all bread is baked with bakers’ salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using it isn’t compulsory. So if bakers’ salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients of the bread you’re buying.
Follow the storage advice for the specific loaf. For PLUS Round Fine Wholemeal Half Loaf, PLUS recommends storing it in a cool, dry place away from light, freezing it at home on the day of purchase and using it within one month. This advice doesn’t automatically apply to other loaves.
Read the allergen information for the individual product and check the packaging when it arrives, too. Ingredients and allergens can vary from one loaf to another.
