Who is this choice relevant to?

Budget-conscious tea drinkers

You’re looking for plain toast to add toppings to and want to compare packs of different weights fairly. So, check the price per kilogram as well as how much you’ll use.

Shoppers comparing fibre and ingredients

You may choose a multigrain variety if its stated fibre content and the grains used matter more to you than the lowest price per kilogram.

Shoppers who need to check allergens

You read the ingredients and allergen information before choosing toast. The plain and multigrain varieties reviewed list different grains and other allergens, so the pack’s label is the one to rely on.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re mainly looking for an affordable amount of plain toast, or whether the ingredients and shape will determine your choice. Then compare the packs on a like-for-like basis.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Quantity and cost Compare the price per kilogram and pack weight; the pack price alone tells you little when the weights differ. If I regularly serve toast with toppings, I want to have enough in the cupboard without automatically assuming a small pack is better value. An affordable amount is the top priority for around 50% of consumers.
Fibre and grains Check the fibre per 100 g and the ingredients list. Albert Heijn states that AH Melba toast naturel contains 3,9 g of fibre per 100 g; Jumbo states that Van der Meulen Melba Meergranen Toast contains 7,5 g per 100 g and 45% wholemeal wheat flour. I want to know which grains I’m buying, so I compare the fibre content before choosing a multigrain variety. This is the most important consideration for around 30% of consumers.
Allergens and storage Check the allergens and any warnings on the current label; after opening, follow the storage instructions on the pack. If I need to avoid an ingredient, suitable allergen information matters more than flavour or pack size. This check is the first priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Comparing only the pack price

    You can’t directly compare a 100 g pack with a 240 g pack based on their pack prices.

    Check the price per kilogram alongside the weight, then choose the quantity and shape you need.

  • Assuming multigrain is automatically the budget option

    The Van der Meulen Melba Meergranen Toast reviewed here has different grain ingredients and a different fibre content from AH Melba toast naturel. That doesn’t automatically make it the cheapest option.

    Compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g, then decide whether those differences matter to you.

  • Relying only on the online product description

    For anyone with a relevant allergy, differences between plain and multigrain varieties can also be important. Albert Heijn also points out that product information can change.

    When buying and before eating, check the ingredients, allergens and any warnings on the current pack.

  • Assuming all toast contains baker’s salt

    According to the Voedingscentrum, bread does not have to be baked with baker’s salt. Seeing ‘salt’ in an ingredients list doesn’t confirm that it is iodised baker’s salt.

    If baker’s salt is important to your choice, check that it is explicitly stated on the pack.

Brands and own-label options to consider

Albert Heijn

AH Melba toast naturel is a 240 g plain variety that can be used as a base for toppings.

  • Albert Heijn states that this variety contains 3,9 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The product information lists wheat, barley and soya, and also notes that other grains and sesame may be present. Check the current label.

Sun Snacks

Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel is a 240 g plain variety in ALDI’s range.

  • The pack weight makes it possible to compare this product with other plain varieties.
  • If the ingredients and allergens matter to your choice, check the information on the pack.

Van der Meulen

The Van der Meulen range in the Jumbo selection reviewed here includes plain and multigrain Melba toast.

  • For Melba Meergranen Toast, Jumbo states that it contains 45% wholemeal wheat flour and 7,5 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The multigrain variety reviewed contains wheat, oats, rye, sesame and soya, among other ingredients.

Jumbo

As well as plain toast, Jumbo offers crisp toast in other flavours.

  • Both the Knapperige Toast and the Groene Olijf Basilicum variety reviewed come in 100 g packs.
  • A flavoured variety may contain different ingredients and allergens from plain toast, so check the label of the one you choose.

Bolletje

In the Jumbo selection reviewed here, Bolletje is represented by other crisp bread products, including rusks and crackers.

  • These products offer a different base for toppings.
  • Rusks and crackers aren’t regular Melba toast, so don’t compare them as if they were the same type of product.

Toast products at Joybuy

These two 100 g packs of Melba toast are options if you’re looking for a smaller pack to add toppings to. If you’re choosing on price, also compare their current price per kilogram with that of larger packs.

Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round, 100 g

Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round, 100 g

A pack of round Melba toast for anyone who wants this shape to serve with toppings.

Pack weight: 100 g. If you have allergies, check the current label.

View at Joybuy
Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g

Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g

Classic Melba toast in a smaller pack if you’re looking for plain toast to add toppings to.

Pack weight: 100 g. If you have allergies, check the current label.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare a small pack of toast with a larger one?

Use the price per kilogram to compare packs of different weights. Also consider how much toast you actually want to use: a 100 g pack contains a different amount from the 240 g plain varieties reviewed here.

Is multigrain Melba toast automatically a better choice?

No, it depends on the features you’re looking for. Jumbo states that Van der Meulen Melba Meergranen Toast contains 7,5 g of fibre per 100 g and 45% wholemeal wheat flour; compare these details with the label of the plain variety you’re considering.

What should I check if I need to avoid allergens?

Read the allergen information on the current pack of the exact variety you’re buying. The AH and Van der Meulen varieties reviewed list different grains and other allergens; a ‘plain’ name alone doesn’t tell you whether a product is suitable for you.

How should I store opened Melba toast?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. Albert Heijn recommends storing its Melba toast in a sealed tin after opening; Van der Meulen says to store it in a cool, dry place.

Does all toast contain baker’s salt?

You can’t tell from the product category alone. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt isn’t compulsory when baking bread; check the pack to see whether it is explicitly listed as an ingredient in your toast.