For a first get-together with a range of toppings, plain Melba toast makes a handy base. Choose wholemeal toast specifically if a wholemeal base and fibre content are your priorities. Multigrain or sesame toast may work well with a particular topping, but check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for each variety: the word ‘premium’ doesn’t tell you anything about these on its own.
Plain toast is a handy choice when each guest prefers different toppings. A pack with individually wrapped portions may also suit you if you want to spread the toast across several occasions; Albert Heijn lists its plain Melba toast in a pack of 12 sachets, each containing 6 pieces of toast.
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and check the nutritional information rather than judging by colour or the presence of seeds. According to the Voedingscentrum, toast can only be called wholemeal if it is made entirely with wholemeal flour.
Read the label for the exact variety you’ve chosen. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo shows that ingredients and potential allergens vary between toast varieties, including wheat, soya, sesame and milk.
First, decide whether the toast is mainly for a shared get-together, to suit your own ingredient preferences or to serve with a special meal. Then compare the packaging and labels of the varieties that fit the bill.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Portioning and storage | Check how many pieces of toast there are and how they’re divided into packs. Find out whether you can keep any opened toast dry and in an airtight container. | If I want to serve toast to my housemates on more than one occasion, I don’t want to have to open everything at once. Around 42% of consumers give portioning and storage top priority. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Check the ingredients and allergens. If you wish, compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and look for an explicit wholemeal description. | If wholemeal matters to me or a guest needs to avoid an allergen, I want to know exactly which variety I’m serving. Around 33% of consumers prioritise ingredients and nutritional information. |
| Flavour and presentation | Choose a shape and flavour to suit the toppings. For sesame or multigrain varieties, check the ingredients on that specific pack too. | For my first dinner party, I want toast that goes with the dishes I’ve chosen, rather than relying on the word ‘premium’. Around 25% of consumers give flavour and presentation top priority. |
Having several types of grain doesn’t automatically make toast wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, the term ‘wholemeal’ on toast means it is made with wholemeal flour.
If wholemeal is your main reason for choosing a variety, look for that wording on the pack and read the ingredients list.
Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo shows that ingredients and potential traces vary between toast varieties. Another flavour in the same range may therefore be unsuitable for someone with an allergy.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information for the pack you’ve chosen, even if you’re familiar with another variety from the same brand.
A large pack is less practical if you can’t keep the opened toast dry and sealed. The Voedingscentrum recommends storing opened toast in a kitchen cupboard for around one month, provided it is stored properly.
Choose a pack size that suits your planned occasions and seal any opened pack securely.
A particular variety may be discontinued or changed: listings from Albert Heijn and Jumbo indicated that some of the toast products reviewed were no longer in their ranges.
Check the current product listing shortly before your get-together, and read the label again when you buy it.
A brand to consider if you’re choosing between plain, multigrain and sesame, among other Melba toast varieties.
This own-label option is worth comparing if you’re looking for plain Melba toast in individual packs.
The own-label range and selection of toast are worth exploring if you want to compare different shapes and varieties.
A brand to consider if crackers, crispbread or knäckebröd would also work with your toppings.
A brand to consider if you’re specifically looking for toast labelled wholemeal.
These Melba toast varieties provide a base for toppings at a get-together or shared meal. Focus on pack size, shape and the information on the packaging. They don’t cover the wholemeal and sesame options discussed above.
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Plain Melba toast to serve with a variety of toppings.
240 g pack. Check how many pieces of toast you’ll need for your guests and how you can store an opened pack.
The listed ingredients include wheat, barley and soya, but the allergen section contradicts this. If you have an allergy, ask for clarification and don’t rely on that section alone.
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The round shape works well for individually topped pieces of toast at a get-together.
100 g pack. If you’re buying for several guests, check how many pieces of toast are in the pack.
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Plain Melba toast for a get-together where you’re serving a range of toppings.
100 g pack. Check the pack to see how many pieces of toast you’ll get for your planned occasion.
No. ‘Premium’ doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt the toast contains, or what ingredients it includes. To find out, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and the ingredients list. If you prefer wholemeal, look for an explicit wholemeal description.
Store opened toast in a kitchen cupboard, somewhere dry and dark, and keep it sealed properly. The Voedingscentrum recommends storing it for around one month. For an unopened pack, follow the date and storage instructions on the label.
Yes, especially if a guest has an allergy or intolerance: check the information for the exact variety you’re serving. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens required by law must be clearly stated on the label. Ingredients and potential traces vary between the toast varieties discussed here.
