Which type of toast is right for you?

Hosts putting together a sharing platter

You’re looking for toast that won’t overpower a range of toppings and that you can serve in small quantities.

Consumers keeping an eye on fibre

You want to compare the wholemeal flour and fibre content of the toast itself, rather than simply choosing a neutral base.

Hosts mindful of allergens

You’re catering for guests who need to avoid gluten or other allergens, so you check the labelling, ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings on each pack.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether the toast is mainly there to carry toppings or whether its own ingredients matter more. If it needs to be gluten-free, check the packaging first, before considering taste or fibre content.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Neutral base Check the flavour and packaging if you want to serve toast with different toppings or on several occasions. For a sharing platter, I want toast that lets a range of toppings shine. Versatility is the top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Wholemeal and fibre Check the wholemeal labelling, ingredients and fibre per 100 g; multigrain does not automatically mean wholemeal. If the toast itself matters to me, I want to compare the wholemeal flour and fibre content. Around 30% of consumers give this the highest priority.
Gluten and allergens Read the current ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings; if gluten-free is essential, check for a gluten-free label. When catering for a guest with a specific food allergy, I need to check more than just the name of the toast. This is the most important consideration for around 30% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    According to Jumbo, the Van der Meulen Melba Multigrain product we looked at contains 45% wholemeal wheat flour. So the name ‘multigrain’ on its own doesn’t tell you whether all the flour used is wholemeal.

    If you prefer wholemeal, look for the wholemeal label, then compare the ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g.

  • Assuming gluten-free means allergen-free

    Gluten-free rice toast may still carry a warning about sesame or soya. A gluten-free label doesn’t answer every question about allergens.

    For each guest with dietary requirements, check both the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warning on the current packaging.

  • Relying on contradictory product information

    A Joybuy description for Melba toast lists wheat, barley and soya lecithin in the ingredients, but elsewhere says the product contains none of the main EU allergens. These claims are contradictory.

    If you have an allergy, don’t base your choice on contradictory information like this. Check the physical packaging or ask the manufacturer or seller for clarification.

  • Confusing digestives with Melba toast

    If you’re looking for a sweet digestive biscuit, you need a different product from someone who wants toast to serve with savoury toppings.

    Before you buy, decide which of the two you mean, then search for that product type.

Brands to consider

Compare specific product ranges: a brand name alone won’t tell you whether the toast is plain, wholemeal or gluten-free.

Van der Meulen

  • Jumbo lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g for Melba Wholemeal and 7.5 g per 100 g for Melba Multigrain.
  • The varieties differ in ingredients and allergens; don’t assess the rice toast based on information for Melba toast.

    • Albert Heijn

  • The smaller packets are handy if you don’t want to open all the toast at once.
  • This variety contains gluten-containing cereals and soya; check the other allergen information on the packaging too.

    • Jumbo

    Jumbo’s toast range includes other options alongside Melba toast, such as mini crackers and crispy toast.

    • This makes it easy to compare the size and suitability of different options for toppings.
    • A cracker isn’t automatically the same type of product as classic Melba toast.

    Bolletje

    A useful comparison if you’d rather serve cracker-style snacks than Melba toast at Christmas dinner.

    • Bolletje describes its Lichte Crackers Volkoren as made from 100% wholemeal grains and also offers Bagel Crackers Sesam.
    • These crackers aren’t classic Melba toast; check the ingredients and allergens for each variety.

    Joybuy products

    Matching products coming soon.

    Frequently asked questions

    Is multigrain toast the same as wholemeal toast?

    No. ‘Multigrain’ means that different grains have been used; it doesn’t mean that all the flour is wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, toast can only be called wholemeal if it is made entirely from wholemeal flour. Check the ingredients list too if this is important to your choice.

    Is gluten-free rice toast also free from other allergens?

    Not necessarily. According to the product information, the Van der Meulen Rice Toast Original we looked at may contain sesame and soya. So, as well as checking for a gluten-free label, check the allergen information on the current packaging.

    Which allergens should I check when serving toast to guests?

    Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings for the allergens that matter to your guests. The toast products we looked at include wheat, barley, soya and sesame; don’t rely on the product name alone.

    How should I store opened Melba toast until dinner?

    Follow the storage advice on the packaging and seal opened toast well. For the Melba toast we looked at, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin after opening. You could also wait to open extra packets until you need them.

    What should I do if online allergen information differs from the packaging?

    If there’s a difference, use the current packaging as your guide and ask the manufacturer or seller for clarification if you’re unsure. This is especially important when the online description contradicts itself about ingredients and allergens.