Multigrain Bread for Coffee Breaks: Slice It Thick Yourself

Who is this choice relevant to?

If you like generously topped snacks

If you want to choose how thick your slices are, look for a whole loaf to slice at home. The word ‘multigrain’ alone tells you nothing about slice thickness or how well a slice will hold its toppings.

If you want to quickly prepare something for guests

Pre-sliced multigrain bread saves you the effort of slicing and makes it easier to serve evenly sized slices. Check the slices themselves or ask about the thickness if a thick slice is important.

If you check ingredients and allergens

If you’re looking for a wholemeal base, compare the product name, ingredients and fibre per 100 g. If any of your guests have an allergy or dietary requirement, check the allergen information for the exact loaf before buying.

What should you look for when buying?

First decide whether you want to slice the bread thickly yourself or simply serve it quickly. Then check the ingredients and what your guests can eat.

What to consider	What to check when buying	Who it matters to
Slicing thick slices yourself	Choose a whole loaf if you want to decide how thick the slices are. If you’re having it sliced in store, ask what thicknesses are available.	If I want to add generous toppings, I want to choose how thick the bread base is. For around 42% of consumers, having control over slice thickness comes first.
Wholemeal and nutritional information	Check the product name and ingredients list; compare the fibre and salt per 100 g of the loaves you’re considering.	When choosing bread for a coffee break, I want to know whether it’s wholemeal and what its nutritional value is. Around 25% of consumers give this the highest priority.
Quick, even serving	Check whether the bread is pre-sliced and whether the slices are thick enough for your toppings.	When I’m getting bread ready for several guests, I want to avoid extra slicing and have evenly sized slices. For around 17% of consumers, serving convenience matters most.
Allergens for guests	Read the current allergen information on the packaging of the exact loaf, even if you already know the type of bread.	If a guest has an allergy, I need to be able to check whether this particular loaf is suitable. For around 16% of consumers, this is their main concern.

Common mistakes

Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’

Bread made with several types of grain isn’t automatically wholemeal. It may therefore not have the ingredients you’re looking for.

Check the product name and ingredients list. To compare fibre, look at the nutritional information per 100 g for the specific loaves.
Assuming pre-sliced bread is sliced thickly

‘Sliced’ and ‘pre-sliced’ don’t tell you how thick the slices are. They may not be thick enough for the generous toppings you have in mind.

Choose a whole loaf if you want to decide the thickness yourself, or ask before buying whether it can be sliced and what the result will be.
Relying on the type of bread to check for allergens

You can’t tell from the name ‘multigrain bread’ whether a loaf is suitable for every guest. Ingredients and allergen information vary from one product to another.

Read the current packaging for the exact loaf. If necessary, provide a separate alternative that meets your guest’s dietary requirements.
Buying bread well in advance without planning how to store it

If your coffee break is still some way off, how long you store the bread can affect the quality when you serve it.

If you want to buy the bread in advance, freeze it in portions and take out only what you need.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers, among other products, an OerDesem dark multigrain loaf, sold as a whole sliced loaf.

Worth considering if you’re looking for a whole loaf that’s already sliced.
Check the slices yourself if you need a particular thickness.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes its Stevig Meergranen as a wholemeal multigrain loaf with seeds.

The product information makes it easier to compare ingredients and nutritional values.
The product name doesn’t confirm a particular slice thickness, so check how the version you choose is sliced.

Lidl

Lidl describes its multigrain bread as hearty and lists grains and seeds among its ingredients.

A variety to look at in store if the texture of the bread matters for your toppings.
Check the ingredients, nutritional information and slice thickness of the loaf you’re buying in store.

ALDI

ALDI says its luxury multigrain hearth loaf comes pre-sliced.

Pre-sliced bread means less work when you’re getting everything ready.
Check the actual thickness before counting on extra-thick slices.

PLUS

PLUS offers, among other products, Korenlanders Licht Meerzaden, a round multigrain loaf with seeds, sold whole and sliced.

For a specific variety, you can compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
‘Whole sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick the individual slices are.

Dirk

Dirk sells a whole multigrain hearth loaf and describes it as hearty, with grains and seeds.

A whole loaf lets you choose the slice thickness yourself.
‘Hearty’ isn’t a measured indication of how well the bread will hold toppings, so check whether it suits your plans.

Multigrain bread to slice thick yourself

These round loaves from Lekhaven Bakkerij are designed to be sliced by hand after defrosting, baking and cooling. This lets you choose the slice thickness, but you’ll need to plan ahead if you’re serving them for a coffee break.

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 2 × 550 g

For anyone who wants to slice thick pieces for toppings and can plan the preparation in advance.

After defrosting and baking, leave the bread to cool before slicing. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging, and read the current allergen information if you’re buying it for guests.

View at Joybuy

Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g

For anyone who wants to slice the bread to their preferred thickness rather than use pre-sliced bread.

Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling before serving. Follow the preparation instructions on the packaging and check the allergen information for this product.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Should I choose a whole or pre-sliced loaf for a coffee break?

Choose a whole loaf if you want to slice thick pieces for generous toppings; pre-sliced bread is more convenient when quick serving and evenly sized slices are your priorities. If you choose sliced bread, check the actual thickness before using it for a generously topped snack.

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No, the label ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean the bread is wholemeal. Check the product name and ingredients list for the variety you’re considering; you can compare fibre using the nutritional information per 100 g.

How can I check whether multigrain bread is suitable for guests with an allergy?

Read the allergen information on the current packaging for the exact loaf; don’t rely on the type of bread or information about another variety. If you need a specific alternative, choose one based on the relevant product information.

What should I do with bread I buy well before my coffee break?

You can freeze the bread in portions and take out only what you need later. Remember to follow the storage and preparation instructions on the packaging of the product you choose.