If you want to serve wholemeal bread with coffee
You want to be sure the bread is wholemeal, rather than judging by its colour or seeds. Also compare the fibre and salt per 100 g in the nutritional information.
Who is this relevant to?
If you’re serving a small group
Half a loaf or individual rolls may be a better fit for the number of guests than a whole loaf. If you won’t eat the rest soon, you can freeze the bread in portions.
If you need to consider allergens
Check the allergen information for the bread you’ve chosen before buying. As well as gluten-containing grains, multigrain products may contain ingredients such as soya, milk or sesame.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether wholemeal is a must, or whether you’re mainly looking for a particular taste and shape. Then check the nutritional information, allergens and quantity for the specific loaf or rolls.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for a wholemeal label and compare the fibre and salt per 100 g on the packaging. | If wholemeal is the main reason I’m serving this bread, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘multigrain’ alone. Around 36% of consumers prioritise choosing wholemeal. |
| Allergens | Read the latest allergen information, including any warnings about traces. | If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to know what’s in this particular bread. Around 29% of consumers put this check first. |
| Taste and shape | Check which grains and seeds are listed, and choose between sliced bread, a round loaf or individual rolls. | I want bread that’s easy to serve with coffee and has a taste and texture to suit my guests. Around 21% of consumers prioritise how easy it is to serve. |
| Quantity and storage | Check whether it’s a half or whole loaf, how many rolls are included and the storage advice. | For a small coffee get-together, I don’t want to be left with lots of bread. Around 14% of consumers therefore prioritise choosing the right amount and storing it well. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark multigrain bread is entirely wholemeal
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to bread made with at least three types of grain. It doesn’t mean all the grain is wholemeal: Albert Heijn lists both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour in AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel.
Check for a wholemeal label, then read the ingredients and nutritional information for the bread you’re buying.
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Serving seeded bread without checking the allergens
Ingredients vary by product. PLUS lists gluten-containing grains, soya, milk and sesame among the ingredients in its Korenlanders Volkoren meergranenbollen.
Check the latest packaging. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information before you buy.
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Buying a whole loaf without a plan for the leftovers
A whole loaf may be more than you need for a small coffee get-together. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide, opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard.
If necessary, choose a smaller pack or freeze the bread in portions.
Storing and defrosting bread later takes a little planning; otherwise, leftovers may go to waste.
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Relying on outdated online product information
A product page is no substitute for checking the label on the bread you’re taking home. For example, Jumbo marks the Volkoren Meergranen Brood we checked as no longer available in its online range.
Check which variety is available in store and read the packaging again, especially the ingredients and allergen information.
Brands to consider
These brands show different ways to compare wholemeal and multigrain bread, as well as portion sizes. The product details mentioned apply to the individual varieties, not to a brand’s entire range.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers both a wholemeal waldkorn loaf and a separate multigrain farmhouse loaf.
- For AH Extra lang lekker waldkorn volkoren heel, Albert Heijn lists 7.4 g of fibre per 100 g and iodised salt.
- According to Albert Heijn, AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel contains 31% wholemeal wheat flour and 30% wheat flour, with 5.2 g of fibre per 100 g. Check the packaging of the variety you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo has published product information for its Volkoren Meergranen Brood.
- Jumbo’s product page lists 7.8 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Jumbo marks this particular loaf as no longer available in its online range, so check which variety is on offer when you shop.
Lidl
Lidl describes oven-fresh bread options, including multigrain bread made with a mix of grains and seeds.
- For its Meergranenbrood, Lidl lists ingredients including wheat, barley and buckwheat.
- Lidl says its fresh range may vary by store. Check for a wholemeal label in store and ask for allergen information if needed.
ALDI
ALDI offers boeren volkoren meergranenbrood as both a whole and half loaf.
- A half loaf is a smaller option when you’re serving a few guests.
- ALDI’s extra high-fibre wholemeal bread is a different product from its boeren meergranenbrood. Don’t compare their nutritional information as if they were the same variety.
PLUS
PLUS offers Korenlanders Volkoren meergranenbollen as individual bread portions.
- PLUS lists 7.8 g of fibre and 0.93 g of salt per 100 g for these rolls.
- According to the product information, the rolls contain ingredients including gluten-containing grains, soya, milk and sesame. Check the packaging for the latest allergen information.
Dirk
Dirk offers a half Casino meergranen volkorenbrood, as well as separate farmhouse loaves labelled multigrain and wholemeal.
- Bakker van der Akker Casino meergranen Volkoren half is an option when a whole loaf doesn’t suit your coffee get-together.
- Don’t assume the separate multigrain farmhouse loaf is wholemeal based on its product name alone; check the packaging.
Bread options on Joybuy
These options include multigrain rolls, loaves to bake at home and flatbread as an alternative. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal multigrain bread to serve with coffee, check the label, ingredients and nutritional information for each product before choosing.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 pieces
A flatbread option if you don’t want to serve sliced multigrain bread with coffee. The product name specifies Whole Wheat and a pack of 6. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information if the recipe is a deciding factor for you.
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g'woon multigrain rolls, 4 pieces
Individual rolls can be handy for a small coffee get-together. The product name specifies 4 pieces; if wholemeal is your main requirement, check whether the latest packaging carries a wholemeal label.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain bread, 2 × 550 g
A round multigrain loaf for serving slices with coffee. The product name specifies 2 loaves of 550 g; allow time to prepare it before serving, and check the latest defrosting and baking instructions.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
A round loaf for a coffee get-together with more guests. The product name specifies 2 loaves of 550 g and Whole Wheat. If you want to compare fibre, check the wholemeal label and nutritional information on the latest packaging. Also allow time for defrosting and baking.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij multigrain baguettes, 4 × 135 g × 2
The baguette shape suits anyone who wants to serve bread in smaller pieces. The product name specifies 4 × 135 g × 2. If wholemeal is your priority, check the packaging and nutritional information, and allow time for defrosting and baking.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain; that doesn’t mean all the grain is wholemeal. Look for a wholemeal label and check the ingredients, rather than judging by the colour or seeds.
How can I compare bread if I’m keeping an eye on fibre?
Compare the fibre per 100 g in the specific breads, and check for a wholemeal label too. For example, Albert Heijn lists 7.4 g of fibre per 100 g for AH Extra lang lekker waldkorn volkoren heel and 5.2 g per 100 g for AH Vloerbrood meergranen heel. Check the latest packaging when you buy.
Should I check the allergens in multigrain bread?
Yes, check the allergen information for the product you’ve chosen. PLUS lists ingredients including gluten-containing grains, soya, milk and sesame in its Korenlanders Volkoren meergranenbollen. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask about the ingredients and allergens before you buy.
Can I tell from the name whether bread contains iodised salt?
No. Check the ingredients list for the specific bread. For example, Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in AH Extra lang lekker waldkorn volkoren heel; don’t assume it’s present just because the bread is called multigrain or wholemeal.
How should I store wholemeal bread after a small coffee get-together?
Keep only what you’ll use within the recommended time, and freeze the rest in portions if you like. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide, opened wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer.