Anyone putting together a breakfast platter
You want to serve a range of toppings in bite-sized portions. Plain toast leaves room for both sweet and savoury combinations.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Fans of flavoured toast
You want the toast itself to add flavour. In that case, matching it to the toppings you plan to serve matters more than choosing a base that goes with everything.
Label readers
You compare fibre and salt, or need to take ingredients and allergens into account. The exact variety and packaging matter more than the word ‘premium’.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide whether the toast is mainly a base for toppings or should add flavour itself. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of the varieties that fit the bill.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Plain base | Check the flavour and shape; look for portion packs if you’re serving the toast in small quantities. | If I’m serving both sweet and savoury toppings, I don’t want the toast to dictate the combination. For around 40% of consumers, a plain base is the top priority. |
| Flavour of the toast | Compare the flavourings listed with the toppings you plan to serve. | With simple toppings, I want the toast itself to add flavour, as long as it doesn’t clash with what goes on top. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this role for flavour. |
| Label and nutritional information | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g. If you need to avoid allergens or gluten, read the label for the exact variety. | If fibre, salt or certain ingredients determine my choice, I want to know what’s in the pack before buying. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing premium with wholemeal
Premium packaging doesn’t tell you how much fibre a toast contains. Regular Melba toast and a wholemeal variety don’t necessarily have the same fibre content.
If fibre content is important to your choice, compare the nutritional information per 100 g on the packs you’re considering.
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Forgetting the flavour of the toppings
Toast flavoured with ingredients such as olives or herbs plays a part in the combination itself. It might distract from toppings that you want to serve on a neutral base.
For a varied platter, choose a plain base and serve flavoured toast with toppings that you’ve deliberately matched to its flavour.
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Assuming gluten-free means free from other allergens
A gluten-free cracker can still contain other allergens. For example, the gluten-free Scrocchi variety described by Albert Heijn contains soya.
If you need gluten-free food, check the claim on the exact pack and read the full ingredients and allergen information too.
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Assuming all toast contains iodine
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in baking isn’t compulsory. So you can’t tell which salt has been used just because a product is called toast.
If baker’s salt is relevant to your purchase, check the ingredients information for the toast you’ve chosen.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Stocks AH Plain Melba Toast and a range of other luxury toast products.
- Plain Melba toast is an option when you want the toppings to provide the flavour.
- Check the ingredients and nutritional information on the current packaging for the variety you choose.
Van der Meulen
Includes wholemeal Melba toast with sesame, for anyone who wants this style of toast and to compare fibre content.
- The wholemeal variety gives you a specific alternative to plain Melba toast.
- This variety contains, among other things, wheat, barley, rye, soya and sesame; check the label if allergens are a concern.
Jumbo
Stocks crisp plain toast and a variety with green olives and basil.
- The two flavour options let you match the toast to your toppings.
- Strongly flavoured toast is less neutral on a platter with a wide variety of toppings.
Lidl
Stocks Melba toast and party toast.
- Party toast is available in plain and sesame varieties, giving you two different options for your breakfast platter.
- Lidl lists its Melba toast as available in store only; check the stock at the shop you plan to visit.
ALDI
Stocks Sun Snacks Plain Melba Toast as a neutral toast option.
- Plain toast works well for a breakfast where you want the toppings to provide the flavour.
- Check the packaging for the exact variety to see the ingredients and allergens.
Bolletje
Worth considering if you’re looking at other breakfast bases as well as toast, such as crackers or crispbread.
- The range offers other ways to serve breakfast toppings.
- A cracker or crispbread isn’t necessarily the same product choice as Melba toast.
Melba toast for a breakfast platter on Joybuy
This Melba toast suits anyone looking for a plain base to serve with a variety of toppings at Sunday breakfast.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g
Plain Melba toast for a breakfast platter with a variety of sweet and savoury toppings.
The pack contains 100 g. The product information lists wheat and barley, and possible traces of sesame, soya and mustard; if you have allergies, check the current label.
Once opened, store the toast in a tightly sealed container in a dry place to keep it crisp.
Frequently asked questions
Is premium toast automatically higher in fibre than regular toast?
No, the word ‘premium’ says nothing about fibre content on its own. If fibre is one of your buying criteria, compare the nutritional information per 100 g for the exact varieties.
Does toast in the Netherlands always contain iodine because it’s made with baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume that all toast is made with baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt in baking isn’t compulsory; check the ingredients information if this matters to your choice.
Can I serve regular Melba toast to someone who eats gluten-free?
Don’t serve regular Melba toast without checking the label on the exact pack first. The regular and wholemeal varieties mentioned contain wheat and barley; if you need gluten-free food, look for a product explicitly labelled gluten-free and check for other allergens too.
How can I keep Melba toast crisp until breakfast?
Store opened Melba toast in a tightly sealed container in a dry place. A sealed tin is recommended for AH Melba Toast; Delverde toast should also be stored in a dry place after opening.
Why should I compare the salt content if toast is only part of breakfast?
Because the toppings can also contribute to the amount of salt on your breakfast platter. Compare the salt content per 100 g of the toast varieties and consider what you plan to serve on top.