Host catering for several people
You want to put out enough toast for everyone. Check the net weight per pack and work out how many packs you’ll need for your platter.
Who is this choice important for?
Cook putting the toppings centre stage
With pesto, tapenade, tomatoes or cheese, plain toast can make a good base. If you want the toast itself to add flavour too, choose one that will work well with your toppings.
Host who needs to check labels
If guests need to avoid certain allergens or ingredients, the product name alone isn’t enough. Before buying, check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the exact pack.
What should you look for in toast?
First decide how much toast you want to serve. Then choose a shape and flavour to go with your toppings, and finally check the label for your guests.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity per pack | Check the net weight and work out how many packs you’ll need for your guests. | If I’m putting together a platter for several guests, I don’t want to run out of toast halfway through. Having enough quantity is a priority for around 38% of consumers. |
| Flavour and shape | Choose between plain toast and toast with its own flavour, and check whether the shape suits your toppings. | I want my pesto or tapenade to go well with the toast, without another flavour changing the combination. Around 31% of consumers prioritise their choice of flavour and shape. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings about traces on the exact pack. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I don’t want to rely on the name or picture. Label information is the main concern for around 31% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Overlooking the pack size
A 100 g pack and a 240 g pack won’t give you the same amount of toast for your platter. If you’re hosting several guests, the difference could affect how many packs you need.
Check the net weight and estimate how much toast you want to serve in advance.
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Assuming all toast is plain
Sesame toast has a flavour of its own. That can make a difference if you want to serve a variety of toppings alongside one another.
Choose plain toast for a range of toppings, or make sure a flavoured variety will work well with your menu.
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Guessing allergens from the product name
According to Jumbo’s product information, JP by Jos Poell Toast Naturel contains wheat and may also contain egg, milk and sesame. So the word ‘naturel’ doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable for a guest with an allergy.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’re actually buying, even if you’ve used a similar product before.
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Assuming it contains iodised baker’s salt
The Voedingscentrum states that baker’s salt isn’t compulsory when baking bread. So, if baker’s salt matters to your choice of toast, don’t rely on the product category alone.
Check whether baker’s salt is listed on the label of the product you’ve chosen.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Sun Snacks
ALDI lists a 240 g pack of Melba Toast Naturel under the Sun Snacks brand.
- The 240 g pack could be a good choice for a larger platter with a variety of toppings.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack before choosing it for your guests.
JP by Jos Poell
Jumbo lists a 100 g Toast Naturel, described as a base for sweet and savoury toppings.
- The plain variety leaves room for a range of toppings.
- According to Jumbo, this variety contains wheat and may also contain egg, milk and sesame; check the current label.
Haust
Haust Party Extra Original is a 200 g pack of party toast with sesame.
- The toast has its own flavour, which you can pair deliberately with your toppings.
- Sesame is an ingredient; check the rest of the allergen information on the packaging too.
Van der Meulen
The 120 g Melba Toast Naturel is a thin type of toast for topped bites.
- The plain variety is a good fit when you want the toppings to take centre stage.
- According to Jumbo’s product information, this variety contains wheat, barley and soya, and may also contain sesame.
Bolletje
Bolletje lists crackers and rusks in its range. They’re alternatives if you’d like to serve a different base instead of toast.
- A cracker could be a deliberate choice of shape if you don’t want to use toast.
- Treat crackers and toast as different product categories; check the ingredients of your chosen product and make sure it suits your toppings.
Melba toast for toppings and dips on Joybuy
These three melba toast products are designed as a base for toppings or dips. The 100 g and 240 g packs give you a choice of quantity; check the label of each product for your guests.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g
Melba toast for a platter of cheese or dips, in a 100 g pack.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack before serving it to guests.
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Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round, 100 g
A 100 g pack of round melba toast for sweet or savoury toppings.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging for your guests.
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Crispy Melba Toast, 240 g
A 240 g pack of melba toast for toppings or dips when you want more toast in one pack.
Don’t assume this variety is allergen-free: check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack before serving it.
Frequently asked questions
Is regular melba toast or party toast suitable for a guest who needs to eat gluten-free?
Don’t assume it is: the regular varieties described contain wheat or other gluten-containing grains. Always check the ingredients and allergens of the exact product for that guest, and only choose a product whose label meets their dietary needs.
How do I work out how much toast I need for an Italian night?
Start with the number of guests and how many toppings you plan to serve, then compare the net weight per pack. A 100 g pack contains less toast than a 240 g pack, but the weight doesn’t tell you how many pieces you’ll want to put on your platter.
How should I store toast once it’s open?
Keep opened toast dry and follow the instructions on the exact pack. Albert Heijn’s product information recommends keeping AH BASIC Melba Toast in a sealed tin; JP by Jos Poell advises storing it in a cool, dry and dark place.
Can I assume toast contains iodised baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume that. The Voedingscentrum states that baker’s salt isn’t compulsory when baking bread. If baker’s salt matters to your choice of toast, check the ingredients list of the product you’ve chosen.