Choose plain Melba toast if you want to serve a variety of toppings with your Sunday roast without the toast itself adding a pronounced flavour. Sesame toast is a good choice when you want an extra flavour dimension. For wholemeal and multigrain varieties, compare the labels if fibre content matters to you, and check the salt and allergens for each variety too.
If you’re serving a selection of bites alongside your roast, plain Melba toast provides a base without a sesame or herb flavour. If you’re buying for guests with allergies, be sure to check the ingredients.
Sesame or herbs can give the toast a more distinctive role with your starter. Choose one of these varieties to complement the toppings you plan to serve: the same flavour won’t necessarily suit every topping.
If you’re choosing based on fibre, salt or ingredients, compare the nutritional information per 100 g and read the allergen information on the packaging of your chosen variety.
When choosing toast for a Sunday roast, first decide whether you want the toppings or the toast to set the flavour. Then compare the labels and choose a pack size that suits your table.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour with your toppings | Choose plain toast for a variety of toppings; opt for sesame or herbs only if the flavour suits your combination. | If I’m serving several kinds of topping, I don’t want the toast to add the same extra flavour to all of them. Getting the flavours right is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check the ingredients and allergens for your chosen variety. | When I’m serving guests, I want to know what’s in the toast and which nutritional values I’m comparing. Around 30% of consumers say checking the label is their top priority. |
| Quantity and availability | Choose a pack size to suit the number of bites you’re serving and check what the shop currently has in stock. | For a small platter, I don’t want to buy the same quantity as I would for a full table. Around 30% of consumers place the greatest importance on this practical consideration. |
Plain, wholemeal and sesame varieties serve different purposes: as a base for toppings, a choice of grain or an extra flavour dimension. None of these qualities alone determines what will suit your dish.
First decide what role you want the toast to play, then compare the relevant ingredients and nutritional information.
The Melba toasts we looked at include wheat, soya and sesame among their ingredients or as possible traces. This varies from product to product.
If allergens are a concern for your guests, check the label on the pack you’ve bought just before serving, including any ‘may contain’ warnings.
A pack for a few topped toasts may not be enough for a larger table, while a larger pack could leave you with leftovers.
Think about how many toasts you want to serve before choosing a pack size.
According to NBC/Brood.net’s explanation of the Dutch agreement, using iodine-enriched baker’s salt is not a legal requirement. So you can’t assume that every toast product contains it.
If the use of iodine-enriched baker’s salt matters to you, check the ingredients list for your chosen toast.
The Melba range we looked at includes plain, multigrain and wholemeal varieties, each suited to different toppings.
The own-brand varieties we looked at offer a choice of plain Melba toast or organic sesame Melba toast.
The Ciabatta Crackers Tomato & Herbs we looked at are a seasoned cracker alternative to thin Melba toast.
ALDI lists Sun Snacks Plain Melba Toast as a plain variety in a 240 g pack.
These three Melba toasts are suitable if you’re looking for a base for toppings to serve alongside a Sunday roast. Focus on the shape and pack size, and always check the current packaging if you have allergies.
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A round Melba toast to consider for small topped bites with your meal.
100 g pack. If you have allergies, check the current ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings.
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The 240 g pack is an option if you want to serve more topped toasts.
The product information contains conflicting allergen details. So check the current packaging carefully before serving this toast to guests with allergies.
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A classic Melba toast to consider if you want the toppings to take centre stage on a smaller platter.
100 g pack. If you have allergies, read the current ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging.
Plain Melba toast is a natural choice if you want the toppings to set the flavour. Still, compare the varieties for ingredients and salt per 100 g: the word ‘plain’ doesn’t tell you enough.
Choose sesame toast when you want the sesame flavour to be part of your combination with the toppings. Albert Heijn states that the organic variety we looked at contains 7% sesame seeds. Before serving, check that the allergens are suitable for your guests.
No. Check the current label for the exact variety you’re serving. The Melba toasts we looked at differ in their ingredients and possible traces, so make sure to read any ‘may contain’ warnings too.
Don’t assume this applies to every toast product. NBC/Brood.net explains that using iodine-enriched baker’s salt isn’t a legal requirement, so check the ingredients list of the product you buy.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve bought and seal the toast well after opening. For the plain variety we looked at, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin; instructions may differ for other varieties.
