Hosts planning for larger groups
You’re putting out toast for several guests and want to avoid buying too few packs. Compare the net weight and work out how much toast you’d like to serve alongside the rest of the food.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hosts checking for allergens
You’re serving guests with a range of dietary requirements or allergies. Check the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings about traces for every product you choose.
Putting together a sharing board
You want the toast’s shape and flavour to work with dips, cheese or spreads. A plain base lets the toppings take centre stage; round or seasoned toast changes the look of your board and the combinations you can serve.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how much toast you want to put out for your guests. Then check the label, and only after that choose a shape and flavour to suit your toppings.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Having enough toast | Compare the net weight and work out how many packs you’ll need for your guests. | If I’m putting out different toppings for several guests, I want to have enough plain toast. Having enough to go round is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Check the ingredients, allergens and warnings about possible traces on each pack. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in every pack before serving. Checking for allergens is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Shape and flavour | Choose plain toast if you want the toppings to provide the flavour; check round, wholemeal or seasoned varieties individually to see if they suit your menu. | If I want the toast itself to stand out on my sharing board, I look for a shape or flavour that complements the toppings. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this combination. |
Common mistakes
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Underestimating how many packs you’ll need
A small pack can soon run out when several guests help themselves to toast or you’re offering a range of toppings.
Check the net weight and work out how many packs you want to put out based on the number of guests and the rest of your menu.
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Assuming ‘plain’ or ‘wholemeal’ means allergen-free
The Van der Meulen Melba Volkoren Toast listed by Jumbo contains wheat, barley, rye, sesame and soya. A variety’s name doesn’t tell you which allergens a guest needs to avoid.
Check the current allergen information on every pack, then choose a suitable product for any guest with an allergy.
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Relying on one specific flavoured variety
The round Olijfolie & Oregano variety and Melba Toast Tomaat & Basilicum listed by Jumbo were no longer available in its online range. This could make a menu that depends on one variety difficult to put together.
Check that your preferred variety is available before choosing your toppings and working out how much you’ll need.
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Assuming all toast contains iodine
According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may only be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products through baker’s salt. That doesn’t mean every pack of toast contains iodine.
Check the specific pack if iodine content is important to your choice.
Brands to consider
Van der Meulen
Melba toast in a range of varieties, including plain and wholemeal, in 120 g packs in Jumbo’s range.
- The range offers different flavours and shapes to serve with toppings or dips.
- The wholemeal variety listed by Jumbo contains wheat, barley, rye, sesame and soya; check the label on the variety you buy.
Sun Snacks
Plain melba toast in a 240 g pack, listed by ALDI Netherlands.
- The larger pack could be useful if you’re looking for one plain toast base for several guests.
- Check availability in store and the ingredients on the current pack.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s range overview lists 240 g packs of AH Melba toast naturel alongside other party toast.
- The pack size is worth considering when you’re working out how much toast you need for your group.
- For allergen information, rely only on the label on the product you’re actually buying, not on an older own-brand variety.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists melba toast in different shapes and flavours, including products from Van der Meulen.
- You can match the shape and flavour to the toppings you want to serve.
- Check that a specific flavour is available before choosing it as the basis for your menu.
Bolletje
Bolletje offers products including crackers and rusks: different types of product from classic melba toast.
- A cracker could be an alternative if its shape and texture work with your toppings.
- Don’t treat crackers as identical to melba toast. Bolletje’s Ciabatta Crackers Tomaat & Kruiden list wheat and may contain other allergens.
Melba toast at Joybuy
This selection includes 100 g and 240 g packs of melba toast, including a round variety. Choose a pack size to suit your group and check that the ingredients in each product are suitable for your guests.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast 100 g
A plain melba toast base if you want to offer a range of toppings.
The pack contains 100 g. Work out how many packs you’ll need for your guests and check the allergens on the label before serving.
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Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round 100 g
The round shape is ideal if you want to serve individually topped pieces on your sharing board.
The pack contains 100 g. Work out how much you’ll need for your guests and check the allergen information on the pack you’re serving.
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Crispy Melba Toast 240 g
The 240 g pack is an option if you’re putting out melba toast with a range of toppings for several guests.
The ingredients list names wheat, barley and soya, which conflicts with the allergen claim. Check the current pack before serving this toast to your guests.
Frequently asked questions
Is the front of the pack enough to check for allergens?
No. Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that allergens which must be declared need to be clearly listed on the label. Possible traces also matter when choosing for a guest with an allergy.
Does all toast in the Netherlands contain iodine?
No, that doesn’t follow from the rule about baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, iodine compounds may only be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products through baker’s salt. Check the specific pack if iodine content is important to your choice.
How can you keep melba toast crisp until it’s time to serve?
Store the toast in a dry place and seal an opened pack tightly. Jumbo’s product information says to store it in a dry or cool, dry place; also follow the instructions on the pack you’ve bought.
Which large packs of melba toast can I compare?
ALDI Netherlands lists 240 g packs of Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel, and Lidl Netherlands also lists 240 g packs of melba toast. When you buy, check availability, ingredients and net weight on the pack.