If you want a clearly thick slice for a generous topping at coffee time, don’t rely on the word ‘firm’ on a packet of toast: Van der Meulen describes both Melba Naturel and Melba Meergranen as extra thin. Melba is suited to small bites with light toppings. If slice thickness is essential, look for bread whose slice you can check before buying.
If a thick slice is important for your snack, check the actual slice thickness of the bread product. The manufacturer calls the Melba varieties reviewed extra thin; describing them as toast does not mean they’re suitable for generous toppings.
A thin piece of toast can go well with a light topping and a cup of coffee. Van der Meulen describes Melba Naturel as a light, neutral base for topped snacks.
When choosing a multigrain variety, the exact packaging matters more than the product name alone. Jumbo lists wheat, oats, rye, sesame and soya among the ingredients in Van der Meulen Melba Meergranen.
First decide whether you need a thick slice or would prefer a small, crunchy piece of toast. Then check the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact variety.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and toppings | Look for an explicit ‘thick-sliced’ label or check the slice itself. ‘Firm’ on its own says nothing about thickness. | I want to add a generous topping to a thick slice and don’t want to rely on a description of the texture. For around 50% of consumers, being able to check slice thickness is the top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen and nutritional information for the variety you’ve chosen; compare values on the same basis, such as per 100 g. | When choosing a multigrain product, I want to know which grains and allergens it contains first. Around 30% of consumers say this is their top priority. |
| A small, crunchy bite | Check whether the description and size suit the amount of topping you want to use, and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. | For a short coffee break, I’d rather have a small piece of toast with a light topping than a thick slice of bread. This is the top preference for around 20% of consumers. |
Van der Meulen describes Melba Meergranen as firm within the Melba range, but also calls the toast extra thin. These words describe different qualities.
If you need a thick slice, check the slice itself rather than relying on terms such as firm or crunchy.
A multigrain name doesn’t tell you which allergens the exact variety contains. Jumbo lists wheat, oats, rye, sesame and soya in Van der Meulen Melba Meergranen.
When buying, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the variety you’ve chosen.
The toast category doesn’t tell you whether a particular product contains iodised baker’s salt.
Check the ingredients on the packaging you’ve chosen, and ask the manufacturer for clarification if the ingredients matter to your decision.
The manufacturer describes Melba Naturel and Melba Meergranen as extra-thin pieces of toast.
Bolletje’s product range includes crackers and rusks, among other things.
Albert Heijn’s toast category includes different types of toast, including Melba varieties.
Jumbo stocks various types of toast and provides product information for Van der Meulen Melba Meergranen.
No. Van der Meulen describes both Melba Naturel and Melba Meergranen as extra thin. Calling Meergranen ‘firm’ doesn’t mean it’s a thick slice.
Jumbo lists oats, rye, sesame, soya and wheat for Van der Meulen Melba Meergranen. When buying, check the allergen information on the packaging of the exact variety.
You can’t tell from the product category. Check the ingredients on the packaging you’ve chosen, and ask the manufacturer for clarification if the ingredients matter to your decision.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Jumbo says Van der Meulen Melba Meergranen should be stored in a cool, dry place.
