A get-together for two to four people
You want to serve a variety of toppings without ending up with lots of opened toast. Check the total weight, whether there are inner packs and the storage advice once opened.
Who is this toast guide for?
If you’re keeping an eye on fibre
Compare the nutritional values of plain, wholemeal and multigrain melba toast per 100 g. Also read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose.
If you’re serving guests with allergies
If wheat, soya, sesame or other allergens are relevant to a guest, check the label on the pack you’ll actually be serving.
What should you look for in melba toast for a get-together?
Decide how much toast you want to open, then choose a flavour to go with your toppings. Finally, compare the nutritional information and allergens for the variety you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Compare the total weight and the number of pieces of toast or individual inner packs. | For a small get-together, I want to serve enough toast without having lots of opened packs left over. For around 45% of consumers, choosing a suitable quantity would be the first consideration. |
| Flavour with your toppings | Choose between a plain, neutral variety and one with, for example, mixed grains or sesame. | If I’m serving a range of toppings, I want to know whether the toast will let them shine or add flavour of its own. Around 33% of consumers would put this combination with toppings first. |
| Nutritional value and allergens | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the allergen information on the label. | When choosing toast for guests, I want to compare its nutritional value and check which allergens it contains. For around 22% of consumers, this would be the main consideration. |
Common mistakes when choosing toast for a get-together
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Looking only at the total weight
A 240 g multipack doesn’t have to be opened all at once: Albert Heijn lists AH Melba toast plain as 12 individual packs, each containing 6 pieces of toast. Whether that works for your get-together depends on how much you’ll actually serve.
As well as the weight, compare how the pack is divided up with the number of guests and the toppings you have planned. Follow the storage advice on the pack for any opened toast.
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Assuming wholemeal or organic means allergen-free
The wholemeal, multigrain and organic sesame varieties reviewed list allergens. A grain or organic label is no substitute for checking the pack you’ve chosen.
Read the ingredients and allergen information in full. Compare fibre and salt separately per 100 g if those values matter to your choice.
Melba toast brands to compare
Van der Meulen
Van der Meulen offers plain, wholemeal, multigrain and organic sesame melba toast, among other varieties.
- Jumbo lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g for the wholemeal variety and 7.5 g per 100 g for the multigrain variety.
- Ingredients and allergens vary by variety, so check the label on the toast you’re serving.
Albert Heijn
The range includes AH Melba toast plain in a multipack and a 100 g organic sesame variety.
- According to Albert Heijn, the 240 g plain multipack contains 12 packs of 6 pieces of toast, so you can choose how much to open at a time.
- The organic sesame variety contains allergens; an organic label is no substitute for checking the allergens.
Lidl
Lidl lists a 240 g pack of melba toast as an in-store product.
- The listed weight gives you a useful point of comparison when working out how much to buy for your get-together.
- Check the label in store for ingredients, allergens and storage advice.
Melba toast for a small get-together on Joybuy
These 100 g packs are options if you want to buy a smaller amount of melba toast for a small get-together. Check how many pieces you’ll need: the weight alone won’t tell you how many you can serve.
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Delverde Classic melba toast, 100 g
This pack could be a good choice if you don’t want to open much toast at once for a small get-together.
Compare the number of pieces with your topping plans and check the current label for allergens.
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Conimex Delverde round melba toast, 100 g
Consider this pack if you’d like to serve round pieces of toast with your toppings at a small get-together.
Check the number of pieces on the pack and read the allergen information before serving.
Frequently asked questions about melba toast
Should I look for half a loaf when buying toast?
It’s better to compare melba toast by weight, number of pieces and whether it comes in individual inner packs. That way, you can work out how much to open for your get-together. For example, AH Melba toast plain comes in 12 packs of 6 pieces.
How should I store melba toast left over after the get-together?
Follow the storage advice on the pack of toast you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn recommends storing its melba toast in a sealed tin after opening. If the best-before date has passed, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends checking the quality by looking at it, smelling it and tasting it.
Which allergens should I check in melba toast for guests?
Check the allergen information for the exact variety you’re serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens are listed on the labels of prepacked foods. Depending on the product, allergens in the toast varieties mentioned include wheat, barley, soya and sesame.
Can I assume that all toast contains iodised baker’s salt?
No, don’t make that general assumption about an individual variety of toast. If the type of salt used matters to you, check the ingredients list on the pack.