Buffet planner with a set guest list
You want to serve toast in batches rather than opening every pack at once. According to Albert Heijn, its 240 g pack of AH plain Melba toast contains twelve portions of six toasts each.
Who is this choice important for?
Host catering for guests with allergies
Some of your guests need to avoid certain ingredients. Check the allergen information for each variety of toast, and make it available at the buffet.
Planner of a varied drinks-and-nibbles spread
You may want to offer wholemeal, multigrain or flavoured toast alongside plain toast. First work out how much toast you need as a base, then choose additional packs based on their contents, ingredients and availability.
What should you look for when buying?
Work out how many toasts you’ll need alongside the other nibbles, and which ingredients matter to your guests. Then choose between a plain option and any additional varieties.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and portion sizes | Count the toasts in each portion and the number of portions. Albert Heijn lists its 240 g pack of AH plain Melba toast as containing twelve portions of six toasts. | If toast is a staple base for toppings for lots of guests, I want to have enough toasts without opening everything at once. This stock and portioning requirement is a priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Allergen information | Read the ingredients and allergen information for each variety, and make it available at the buffet. Also check whether you need to provide a separate alternative. | If guests avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to tell them which toast they can choose. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Plain toast or a flavoured variety | Decide whether you need one plain toast to go with different toppings, and check availability before planning to serve a flavoured variety. | For different toppings, I want a versatile base, with perhaps one flavoured option on the side. Around 21% of consumers say this choice is their main priority. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g across specific products. Don’t assume that a label stating ‘salt’ means iodised baker’s salt has been used. | If I’m choosing between wholemeal, multigrain and plain, I want to compare the ingredients and nutritional values of the exact varieties. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Common planning mistakes
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Assuming ‘salt’ on the label means iodised baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in baking is not compulsory. The word ‘salt’ on its own doesn’t tell you which type of salt was used in a particular toast.
If the type of salt used matters to your purchase, check the label of the product you’ve chosen.
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Looking only at the total weight
The weight doesn’t tell you how many individual toasts you can serve. Albert Heijn lists its 240 g Melba toast multipack as containing twelve portions of six toasts each.
Consider the number of guests and other nibbles alongside the number of toasts in each pack. Open extra inner packs only when needed.
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Assuming wholemeal or multigrain suits every dietary need
The Van der Meulen varieties reviewed contain several allergens, including wheat, soya and sesame. Seeing a different grain on the front of the pack doesn’t replace checking the allergen information.
Read the information for each variety, and provide a separate, clearly labelled alternative if guests need to avoid certain ingredients.
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Planning to use a flavoured variety as your only toast base
A strong flavour needs to work with your chosen toppings. Jumbo also reported that its 100 g Tomato & Basil Melba Toast was no longer available in its online range.
Check current availability, and plan for a plain base if you need something to go with several toppings.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
According to Albert Heijn, AH plain Melba toast comes in a 240 g pack containing twelve portions of six toasts each.
- The individual portions make it easy to keep track of how much toast you open.
- This variety contains wheat, soya and barley, and may also contain other cereals and sesame. Check the label on the pack you buy.
Van der Meulen
According to product information from Jumbo, the Van der Meulen Melba Wholemeal Toast and Melba Multigrain Toast reviewed are each sold in 120 g packs.
- The listed fibre content is 9.7 g per 100 g for Wholemeal and 7.5 g per 100 g for Multigrain, making it easy to compare these specific varieties.
- Check the allergens for each variety: the products reviewed contain wheat, soya and sesame, among other allergens.
Jumbo
The Jumbo Tomato & Basil Melba Toast reviewed was a 100 g flavoured variety.
- A flavoured variety can be a nice addition if it works with your chosen topping.
- Jumbo reported that this variety was no longer available in its online range. Check current availability before planning to serve it.
Joybuy products for this topic
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
How much Melba toast should I buy for a wedding buffet?
Base your estimate on the number of guests, the other nibbles and the number of toasts in each pack, rather than the pack weight alone. Albert Heijn lists 72 toasts in its 240 g pack of AH plain Melba toast. How many packs you need depends on the role toast plays in your buffet.
How can I make allergen information available for the toast?
Keep the packaging information for each variety you serve, and make it clear to guests which ingredients are in each type of toast. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that the mandatory allergen labelling on prepacked food covers 14 allergens. Always check the label of the product you’re actually serving.
How should I store Melba toast once a pack is open?
Open only the packs you need and keep any unused toast sealed. For AH plain Melba toast, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a closed tin after opening. Add moist toppings shortly before serving.
Can I assume Melba toast contains iodised baker’s salt?
No, not without information about the specific product. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in baking is not compulsory, and the word ‘salt’ on an ingredients list alone doesn’t confirm that iodised baker’s salt was used.