Organisers of a small King's Day gathering
You want to buy enough toast for topped bites without having lots left over. Jumbo lists melba toast in 90 g and 120 g packs; Albert Heijn also offers a 240 g pack with individually wrapped portions.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers keeping an eye on fibre
You compare the nutritional information for different varieties of toast. Jumbo lists 9.7 g of fibre per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba Wholemeal Toast; this figure applies to this variety.
Organisers catering for guests with food allergies
You need to know which toast you can serve before choosing a pack. Ingredients and allergens vary by variety, so always read the label on the product you actually buy.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, work out how much toast you’ll need for your gathering. Then compare the exact varieties for nutritional information, allergens and availability.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Pack weight and individual portions | Compare the net weight with the number of bites you want to make. For a larger pack, check whether the toast comes in separate packs. | For one small gathering, I don’t want lots of toast left over, so around 36% of consumers prioritise the quantity. |
| Fibre and choice of grains | Compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information and check which grains the variety contains. | If I’m choosing between plain and wholemeal, I want to know what’s in the toast; for around 29% of consumers, this nutritional information matters most. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack, even if you switch flavour or grain variety. | When guests have a food allergy, I need to be able to assess what I’m serving before I buy it; around 21% of consumers prioritise this check. |
| Availability | Just before your gathering, check whether the variety you want is available in your shop or online. | I don’t want to count on a variety of toast I can’t buy in time; availability is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Rejecting a larger pack without checking for smaller portions
A 240 g pack means more toast overall, but separate, unopened packs can come in handy for another gathering. Albert Heijn lists 12 packs of 6 pieces of toast in its Melba toast plain.
Check how many individual packs there are, and only choose this kind of pack if you have a use for the rest too.
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Choosing wholemeal without reading the label
The Van der Meulen wholemeal melba toast listed by Jumbo contains wheat, barley, rye, soya and sesame, among other ingredients. So the choice of grains doesn’t tell you whether the toast is suitable for a guest with an allergy.
Check the ingredients and allergens on the current pack every time you choose a different variety.
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Assuming all toast contains iodised baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So a Dutch origin doesn’t tell you which salt is used in a particular toast product.
If you want to know whether a product contains iodised salt, check the ingredients list or ask the manufacturer.
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Assuming a product listing means it’s currently in stock
Jumbo says its Melba Toast Tomato & Basil is no longer part of its online range. Lidl says its melba toast is available in store only.
Shortly before King's Day, check whether the exact variety is available through the retailer or channel you plan to buy from.
Brands to consider
Van der Meulen
Jumbo lists several melba toast varieties from this brand, including 90 g packs of plain rounds and 120 g packs of wholemeal melba toast.
- The choice of pack sizes and varieties lets you choose based on quantity and ingredients.
- The wholemeal variety contains wheat, barley, rye, soya and sesame, among other ingredients; check the allergens for each variety.
Albert Heijn
AH Melba toast plain comes in a 240 g pack containing 12 separate packs of 6 pieces of toast.
- The individual packs are useful if you want to enjoy the toast on more than one occasion.
- For one small gathering, this pack gives you 240 g in total. Remember to check the allergen information when you buy it.
Sun Snacks
ALDI lists Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel in a 240 g pack.
- The pack weight is clear if you’re looking for a larger quantity of melba toast.
- For a small gathering, check whether you’ll use the whole pack and whether the variety is available in your shop.
Lidl
Lidl lists 240 g packs of melba toast and says they’re available in store.
- The listed pack weight makes it easy to compare with smaller packs.
- Check the label in store for the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the exact pack.
Toast and alternatives on Joybuy
This selection includes a small pack of melba toast and a pack of rice toast. Rice toast is an alternative to consider if the shape and crunch of melba toast aren’t essential for your party bites.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g
A 100 g pack of melba toast to consider for a small gathering. If you’re catering for guests with allergies, check the ingredients and allergens on the pack.
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Van Der Meulen Rice Toast Natural, 65 g
A 65 g pack of rice toast if you’re also considering an alternative to melba toast. Check whether the shape works with your toppings and, if anyone has allergies, pay particular attention to the sesame and soya information on the current pack.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose a small pack without relying on “half a loaf”?
For melba toast, compare the net weight and check whether the pack contains individual portions. For example, Jumbo lists 90 g and 120 g packs, while Albert Heijn offers a 240 g pack with individual portions. Choose based on how many bites you’re making and when you plan to use the toast.
Is iodised baker’s salt required in Dutch toast?
No. You can’t assume that all Dutch toast is made with baker’s salt: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use it. The Government Gazette describes an agreement that encourages the use of iodised salt. For a specific product, check the label or ask the manufacturer.
Which allergens should I check when guests are eating too?
Read the allergen information for the exact variety of toast you plan to serve. The products mentioned may contain wheat, barley, soya and sesame, among other ingredients. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on food labels.
How should I store melba toast after opening?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. Albert Heijn recommends keeping its Melba toast plain in a sealed tin after opening.
Can I rely on a product page for availability just before King's Day?
Check whether the exact variety is available from your shop or online shortly before you buy it. Lidl says its melba toast is only available in store, while Jumbo says its Tomato & Basil variety is no longer part of its online range.