Stock-up shopper
You want toast to have with coffee or as a simple snack, and you’re looking for a pack you can actually finish.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Occasional user
You don’t have toast every day, so you pay attention to the pack size and how you can store the rest after opening.
Label-conscious shopper
Before you buy, you want to check whether a toast is wholemeal and what the label says about ingredients, allergens, salt and baker’s salt.
What should you look for when buying?
For a small stash to have with coffee, the key things to consider are how much you’ll use, how to store it after opening and the information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size to suit your needs | Check the net weight and think about how much toast you’ll use. | If I have toast with coffee, I don’t want to take more than I can finish; around 40% of consumers would put finding a suitable pack size first. |
| Storage after opening | Check the best-before date and storage instructions on the pack. | If I only have toast occasionally, I want to be able to store the rest somewhere dry and sealed after opening. Around 40% of consumers would choose storage as their main consideration. |
| Information on the label | Read the ingredients, allergen and nutritional information; check the label to see whether baker’s salt is listed. | If you’re looking for a wholemeal option or need to watch out for allergens, you’ll want to know what’s in the specific product; around 20% of consumers would make the label their main consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a large pack without a storage plan
If you only have toast occasionally, some of it may go soft after opening before you’ve finished it.
Choose an amount that suits how much you use and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Make sure you can keep an opened pack somewhere dry and sealed.
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Going by the product name instead of the label
The words ‘melba’ and ‘wholemeal’ don’t, by themselves, tell you which allergens a specific product contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also says that baker’s salt isn’t used in every bread product.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on each pack. If it matters to your choice, check separately whether baker’s salt is listed.
Brands to consider
Sun Snacks
ALDI Netherlands offers Sun Snacks Plain Melba Toast in a 240 g pack.
- The pack size may suit you if you have toast regularly and can store the opened pack properly.
- ALDI directs shoppers to its stores for this product, so check local availability before you set off.
Van der Meulen
Van der Meulen makes melba toast in a range of varieties, including plain and wholemeal.
- Van der Meulen Holland says its plain variety is light and has a long shelf life; always follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you choose.
- Ingredients vary between varieties. The round wholemeal variety described by Van der Meulen Holland contains sesame seeds.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists various types of toast, including different varieties of melba toast.
- You can compare pack sizes and varieties side by side.
- Check the current packaging and availability before you set off; the previously listed AH BASIC Melba Toast is no longer in the range.
Melba toast on Joybuy
These 100 g and 240 g packs of melba toast suit the idea of keeping a small stash to have with coffee. Think about how much you can finish and store after opening.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g
A 100 g pack may suit you if you only have a small amount of toast with coffee. Store opened toast somewhere dry in a well-sealed container, and check the best-before date on the packaging.
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Crispy Melba Toast, 240 g
A 240 g pack may suit you if you can finish the larger amount and store it somewhere dry after opening. The allergen information for this variety is contradictory, so if you have allergies, check the current label before eating the toast.
Frequently asked questions
How should I store toast after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and keep opened toast somewhere dry in a sealed container. Albert Heijn advised storing AH BASIC Melba Toast in a sealed tin; check the instructions on the pack you buy.
Does all toast contain baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume that it does. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers don’t always use baker’s salt; check the label of the specific toast to see whether it’s listed.
What should I check if allergens are important to me?
Read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the specific pack. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergen information for pre-packed products must appear on the label; don’t assume what’s in the product based only on the name ‘melba toast’.