Hosting guests with different toppings
If guests are making their own toast, a plain multipack lets you open smaller quantities as needed. Albert Heijn lists its plain Melba toast in twelve inner packs, each containing six pieces of toast.
Which pack works best for you?
A small group looking to avoid leftovers
A smaller pack may be enough for a smaller gathering. Jumbo lists Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel in a 120 g pack; adjust the quantity to suit the other food you’re serving.
Planning snacks and comparing labels
If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, compare the allergens and nutritional information for the exact variety. Plain and multigrain toast don’t necessarily have the same ingredients.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how much toast you want to open and which toppings you’ll offer. Then check the ingredients and whether the pack you have in mind is available.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack format and quantity | Compare the net weight and number of inner packs. Albert Heijn lists its plain Melba toast as 240 g, divided into twelve packs of six pieces of toast. | If you’re hosting lots of guests, you’ll want enough toast on the table without opening the rest straight away. For around 33% of consumers, pack format is the most important factor. |
| Flavour to go with your toppings | Check whether you’re choosing plain toast or a variety with added flavourings. Jumbo, for example, also lists Melba rounds with olive oil and oregano. | If you’re serving a range of toppings, you’ll want the toast itself to leave the flavour of each bite to the toppings. That’s why around 25% of consumers prioritise a neutral base. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the allergen information and compare fibre and salt per 100 g on the label for the exact variety. | If your guests avoid certain ingredients, you’ll need to know what’s in the toast you choose. For around 25% of consumers, the label and nutritional information come first. |
| Availability | Check where you can buy the pack. Lidl lists its 240 g Melba toast as an in-store product. | If you’re shopping shortly before your snack night, you’ll want to know whether you can actually pick up the pack. Around 17% of consumers prioritise immediate availability. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a product listing means it’s currently available
Jumbo no longer includes a previously listed large pack of Crispy Melba Toast Naturel in its online range. Lidl describes its Melba toast as an in-store product.
Before you shop, check whether the pack you want is available through the channel you plan to use.
Otherwise, you may need to make an extra trip to the shops.
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Assuming all plain toast contains the same allergens
Ingredients vary from product to product. Jumbo lists wheat, barley and soya in Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel, and notes that it may contain traces of sesame.
If you have an allergy, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ statements on the pack of the exact variety you’re buying.
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Choosing based on the word ‘multigrain’ alone
A product name doesn’t tell you which nutritional values and allergens are relevant to your choice. For the Van der Meulen multigrain toast it reviewed, Jumbo lists 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g and sesame among the ingredients.
Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the full ingredients list before choosing a variety.
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Assuming all toast contains iodised salt
The RIVM explains that, in practice, the use of iodised salt in the Netherlands is mainly associated with bread. This doesn’t tell you which type of salt is used in a particular variety of toast.
Check the product’s ingredients rather than assuming which type of salt it contains.
Brands compared
Albert Heijn Eigen Merk
Albert Heijn lists a 240 g multipack of plain Melba toast, with twelve packs of six pieces of toast.
- You can open the inner packs one at a time if you don’t need all the toast on the table at once.
- Albert Heijn recommends storing opened toast in a sealed container. If your guests have allergies, check the pack of the variety you choose.
Van der Meulen
Jumbo lists, among other products, 120 g packs of plain toast and multigrain toast from Van der Meulen.
- Choosing between plain and multigrain lets you match the toast to the toppings you’re serving.
- Jumbo lists wheat and sesame among the ingredients in the multigrain variety. Check the full allergen information for each variety.
Sun Snacks
ALDI Netherlands lists Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel in a 240 g pack.
- The listed pack size is worth comparing if you’re looking for toast for several guests.
- Check availability at the shop where you plan to do your shopping.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists 240 g Melba toast as an in-store product.
- The listed pack size is worth considering if you’re looking for a larger pack.
- Check the label in store for the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information of the pack you choose.
Toast products at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
How should I store toast left over after snack night?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack of the toast you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn recommends keeping its Melba toast in a sealed container after opening; Jumbo advises storing the Van der Meulen multigrain toast it reviewed in a cool, dry place.
Can I serve multigrain toast to all my guests?
First, check that the ingredients are suitable for your guests. The Van der Meulen multigrain toast listed by Jumbo contains wheat and sesame, among other ingredients; check the label on the exact pack before buying.
How can I tell whether toast contains iodised salt?
Check the ingredients for the specific variety of toast rather than relying on general assumptions about bread. The RIVM explains that, in practice, iodised salt in the Netherlands is mainly used in connection with bread; this doesn’t establish the ingredients of individual toast products.