If you’re making lots of nibbles for Christmas dinner, it’s worth comparing larger packs of Melba toast by price per kilo. For a small platter, a smaller pack or toast cups may better suit the quantity and presentation you have in mind. Compare products designed for the same purpose, and always check the label on the pack you’re buying if you have dietary requirements or allergies.
When you’re preparing a large platter of nibbles, it matters how much toast you get from each pack. So, for products designed for the same purpose, compare the price per kilo as well as the price of the pack.
If you’re only making a small platter or want to serve a variety of shapes, a smaller pack or a pack of toast cups may be a better fit than a large quantity of one type.
Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product. If someone needs to eat gluten-free, don’t rely on the name Melba toast or the label on a similar variety.
First, work out how much toast you need and which shape will suit your toppings. Then compare similar products by price per kilo, and check the label if you’re catering for guests with specific dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity within your budget | Compare the price per kilo and net weight of toast products designed for the same purpose. | For a large platter of nibbles, I want enough toast without focusing only on the price of one pack. Around 36% of consumers say quantity per kilo is their top priority. |
| Size and presentation | Check the pack weight and the shape of the toast against the toppings you’ve chosen. | For a small platter, I want to choose a suitable shape and avoid having lots left over. This is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Allergens and gluten-free suitability | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any warnings on the current pack. | If a guest has an allergy or needs to eat gluten-free, I need to know whether this specific product is suitable. This is the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Fibre and choice of grains | Compare the fibre per 100 g and check which grains are listed in the ingredients. | As well as size, I want to weigh up the fibre content and types of grain. Around 14% of consumers say this is their main consideration. |
A small pack may cost less at the till, but that doesn’t tell you how much you’re paying for the same quantity of toast. The shape and intended use should also be comparable.
Check the price per kilo, the net weight and whether you’re buying standard toast, Melba toast or toast cups.
Ingredients and allergens vary by product. Jumbo lists wheat, barley, rye, sesame and soya, among other ingredients, for Van der Meulen Melba Wholemeal Toast.
Read the label on the exact pack you’re serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens must be clearly listed on prepacked foods.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains the role of baker’s salt in bread in the Netherlands. This doesn’t tell you which ingredients are in an individual toast product.
If iodine is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer about the exact product.
A large pack can be handy for a big platter, but once opened, toast needs to be stored carefully if you want to keep any leftovers crisp.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and seal opened toast securely.
ALDI lists both 100 g toast cups and 240 g plain Melba toast under this brand. These are different shapes, suited to small nibbles and a larger quantity of toast respectively.
You can consider different grain varieties within this brand’s Melba toast range. Jumbo lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba Wholemeal Toast.
Jumbo’s toast range includes standard toast and Melba toast. When comparing products, look at their shape, pack size and ingredients, not just the retailer’s name.
Albert Heijn provides product information so you can check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional value of a specific item.
Bolletje lists crackers and rusks among its products. They’re an alternative only if that shape suits your nibbles; they aren’t automatically Melba toast.
These Joybuy products are Melba toast for nibbles. Choose the size to suit your serving plans, and check the current pack size, ingredients and price per kilo for each product before deciding which pack fits your budget.
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A 100 g pack to consider for a small platter of topped toast.
The product information lists wheat and barley, and possible traces of sesame, soya and mustard. If you have an allergy, check the label on the pack you’re buying.
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Round Melba toast to consider if the shape suits your nibbles. Check the net weight on the pack: the product title and description list different weights.
If you have an allergy, check the current label before buying; the available product descriptions contradict each other on allergens.
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A 240 g pack to consider when you need more toast for your nibbles. Compare the price per kilo with other Melba toast before deciding what fits your budget.
If you have an allergy, check the current label before buying; the available product descriptions contradict each other on allergens.
A larger pack of Melba toast is worth comparing if you’re making lots of nibbles with the same base. Compare the price per kilo of products designed for the same purpose, and work out how much you need in advance so a large pack doesn’t leave you with mostly leftovers.
Keep opened toast dry and sealed securely. Follow the instructions on the packaging you’re using; Albert Heijn recommended storing its Melba toast in a sealed tin after opening.
You can’t assume this is the case for every type of Melba toast. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes baker’s salt as a source of iodine in bread in the Netherlands, but the ingredients in individual toast products may vary. For a specific product, check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer.
Only choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the label on the exact pack. Also read the ingredients, allergens and any warnings; a different shape of toast or a different grain name is not, by itself, proof that the product is suitable.
