If you want to serve a crisp base for savoury toppings with your Sunday roast, choose Melba toast; a digestive is a biscuit for a different occasion. Pick a flavour that goes well with your toppings, and check the label of the exact variety for allergens, fibre and salt.
You’re looking for a crisp base for cheese, meat, fish, salad or a spread to serve alongside your Sunday roast. In that case, it matters whether you choose Melba toast that’s suitable for toppings or a digestive biscuit.
Before serving, you want to check whether the variety you’ve chosen contains wheat, other cereals containing gluten, sesame or soya. The allergens listed vary from one type of toast to another.
You’re choosing on more than taste alone, and want to compare fibre and salt per 100 g. These values vary across the plain, wholemeal and multigrain varieties reviewed.
Albert Heijn describes Melba toast as a base for toppings and the digestives reviewed as biscuits. So first decide whether you want to serve savoury toppings or are looking for a biscuit. Then compare the features of the variety you’ve chosen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Savoury toppings | Check that you’re buying Melba toast rather than digestive biscuits. Choose plain toast or a flavoured variety that goes well with your toppings. | I want the flavour of the roast and toppings to take centre stage. Around 31% of consumers prioritise a suitable savoury base. |
| Allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about possible traces on the label of the exact variety. | If someone at the table needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to know what’s in this particular toast. For around 31% of consumers, checking this is the top priority. |
| Fibre and salt | Compare both values per 100 g and consider how much toast you want to serve with the toppings. | I want to choose a variety based on its nutritional value, without overlooking the salt in the toast and toppings together. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this balance. |
| Packaging | Compare the net weight and any individually wrapped portions. After opening, follow the storage advice on the pack. | For a small gathering, I want an amount that suits what we’re serving and can store. Around 13% of consumers prioritise this when choosing. |
Albert Heijn describes the digestives reviewed as biscuits, while Melba toast is offered as a base for toppings. They’re different choices if you want to serve something alongside your roast.
Before buying, decide whether you want to offer savoury toppings or are looking for a biscuit to enjoy at a different time.
The wholemeal, multigrain and organic sesame varieties reviewed list ingredients including cereals containing gluten, sesame or soya. A description of the grains or production method doesn’t mean the toast is suitable for someone with an allergy.
Check the allergens on the pack of the exact variety you’re going to serve.
According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Van der Meulen Naturel contains 1.3 g of salt per 100 g, while the wholemeal variety reviewed contains 1.9 g per 100 g. Your choice of toppings also affects what you’re serving overall.
Compare fibre and salt on the same basis, and factor in the toppings you’ve chosen.
Jumbo says that Melba Toast Tomaat & Basilicum is no longer part of its online range. A product description doesn’t necessarily mean it’s currently available to order.
Check the exact flavour and pack just before buying. If you choose a different variety, read its label too.
Melba toast in plain, wholemeal and multigrain varieties, for comparing flavour and label information.
Own-brand varieties that let you compare plain toast with an organic sesame variety.
A retailer with product information on items including Van der Meulen Melba Meergranen Toast and its own-brand tomato and basil variety.
No. Albert Heijn describes the digestives reviewed as biscuits and Melba toast as a base for toppings. If you’re looking for something to serve with savoury toppings alongside your Sunday roast, look for Melba toast. Choose a digestive if you want a biscuit.
First check the label of the exact variety. The Melba toasts reviewed list wheat and, depending on the variety, other cereals containing gluten, sesame or soya. Also check for warnings about possible traces if that’s relevant to your guest.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging. The product pages reviewed recommend storing it in a dry, sealed container. Add moist toppings or gravy to the toast just before serving.
No, don’t assume this based on the product category. The Dutch Government Gazette defines baker’s salt as iodised table salt, but that definition doesn’t tell you which salt is used in a particular type of toast. If the type of salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the pack you’ve chosen.
