For a coffee morning, choose bread labelled ‘wholemeal’ if your main priorities are a wholemeal base and fibre. Lighter or mixed-grain bread may be an alternative if you want to cater for guests with more particular tastes. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ tells you which types of grain have been used, but does not necessarily mean the bread has a wholemeal base. Check the ingredients and allergens on the product you choose, and look for iodised baker’s salt if that matters to you.
Looking for multigrain bread that goes with a range of toppings, without judging what it is made from by its colour. Albert Heijn explains that bread sold under a waldkorn name may contain wholemeal flour, white flour or a combination of the two.
Wants to be able to identify a wholemeal base and compare fibre values on a like-for-like basis. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the ‘wholemeal’ label means the bread is made from wholemeal flour.
Wants to choose a separate option for a guest who needs gluten-free bread, or bake bread just before serving. In either case, check the label and instructions for the exact product.
First decide whether a wholemeal base or your guests’ preferences come first. Then choose a bread format that suits when you’ll be serving it, and check the label for anything that matters to your group.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g, rather than comparing different serving sizes. | If I mainly want to serve wholemeal bread, I need to be able to tell from the packaging. Around 38% of consumers prioritise this wholemeal and fibre choice. |
| Guests’ preferences | Check whether the ingredients list white flour, wholemeal flour or both; don’t judge by colour or visible seeds alone. | For guests who prefer a lighter style of bread, I want to be able to see what it is made from. This preference is the main consideration for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ease of serving | Compare whole loaves, half loaves and rolls; check the cooking instructions for bake-at-home products. | I want to get the bread on the table in good time, without baking holding up the coffee morning. This is the main consideration for around 23% of consumers. |
| Allergens and iodised salt | Read the current allergen information and, if relevant, look for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ in the ingredients. | If a guest needs a separate bread option, I want to be able to check the right label. This is the main consideration for around 8% of consumers. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and Albert Heijn, multigrain bread can be made from white flour, wholemeal flour or both. A dark colour or visible seeds don’t tell you whether it has a wholemeal base.
Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging, then compare fibre per 100 g.
Baker’s salt is iodised salt, but the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers are not required to use it. So the type of bread alone won’t tell you which salt has been used.
Check the ingredients for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ if this matters to you.
Regular varieties may contain gluten-containing grains. Even with bread labelled gluten-free, you still need to check for other allergens.
For a guest who needs gluten-free bread, choose a product clearly labelled as gluten-free, check for other allergens and keep it separate from regular bread when serving.
Part-baked bread takes time and suitable equipment to prepare before it can be served. Instructions vary from product to product.
Before you buy, check how to store and bake the bread you’ve chosen. If you want to skip this step, choose bread that’s ready to serve.
Ingredients and bread formats can vary within the same brand. Use these product examples to help you compare labels more carefully, rather than as a judgement on an entire range.
Its range includes AH Extra lang lekker waldkorn volkoren heel, for anyone looking for bread with an explicitly stated wholemeal base.
Its range includes Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen half, a half-sized loaf for anyone looking to compare wholemeal options.
Its range includes part-baked wholemeal multigrain baguettes for a coffee table where you want to bake the bread just before serving.
Its range includes Bakker van der Akker Bakkers meergranen half, a smaller loaf format for a coffee table.
Its range includes both Boeren volkoren meergranen half and part-baked De Afbakker Baguettes Meergranen.
These products include rolls and round loaves for a coffee table, as well as a baguette option to bake at home. If a wholemeal base is essential, check that each product is labelled ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging.
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Four individual rolls are a handy option if you want to serve one to each guest. Before choosing them for your coffee table, check the packaging for the wholemeal label and allergen information.
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These four baguettes are a good fit for a coffee table where you’d like to bake the bread before serving. Allow time to defrost them and check the baking instructions on the packaging.
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This pack of two round loaves is a good option if you want to put more bread on the table. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling, and follow the instructions on the packaging.
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This 550 g round loaf gives you a single loaf to serve at your coffee table. Check the packaging for how long to allow for defrosting, baking and cooling.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t tell you whether the bread is made from wholemeal flour, white flour or a combination of the two. Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label and read the ingredients instead of judging by colour or seeds alone.
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says there’s no requirement to use baker’s salt. If the type of salt matters to your choice of bread, look for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ in the ingredients.
No. The name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t mean the bread is gluten-free. For a guest who needs gluten-free bread, choose a product clearly labelled as gluten-free, check the other allergen information too, and keep it separate from regular bread when serving.
Plan your baking around the instructions on the product you choose, including any defrosting time. PLUS states that its wholemeal multigrain baguettes take 8–10 minutes in an oven at 220 °C or 5–6 minutes in an air fryer at 200 °C. Don’t use these timings for other bread.
A half loaf or individual rolls let you tailor the quantity to your guests. Check the pack size and storage instructions for the product you choose.
