For coffee time, choose a style of bread that suits your group and when you plan to serve it: a rustic seeded loaf to share around the table, or a smaller loaf or bake-at-home option if you want to tailor the quantity. The term multigrain doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. Check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g to compare, and always check the latest allergen information if you’re serving guests.
You’re looking for bread to serve with toppings at a coffee gathering, but don’t want to assume it’s wholemeal just because it’s called multigrain. The ingredients list and fibre per 100 g can help you compare loaves.
When serving bread with toppings, the shape, crust and texture all matter to you. Also check the ingredients and allergens, especially if you’re sharing it with guests.
You want to match the amount of bread to the number of people eating. A half loaf or bake-at-home option could work, as long as you allow for preparation time and any leftovers.
First decide what matters most for your coffee table: wholemeal ingredients, presentation, ingredients suitable for your guests, or the amount of bread. Then compare the packaging of loaves that meet your needs.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal ingredients and fibre | Check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients and compare fibre per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the term multigrain does not prove that bread is wholemeal. | If I want to serve wholemeal bread, I need to be able to see what it’s made from. Around 31% of consumers say wholemeal ingredients are their priority. |
| Presentation and style of bread | Check the shape of the loaf and whether sourdough, kernels or seeds are actually part of the bread you’ve chosen; assess the nutritional information separately. | For a coffee table where everyone shares, I want to choose bread that suits the toppings and the way it will be served. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this serving experience. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the latest ingredients list and any allergens highlighted on it, especially if you’re buying for guests. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to check the specific loaf before serving it. For around 23% of consumers, checking the ingredients is their main concern. |
| Quantity and serving time | Compare the pack weight and preparation instructions, and think about what you’ll do with any leftover bread. | When I’m hosting a small group, I don’t want to prepare more bread than we need, but baking it takes time. Around 15% of consumers put quantity and serving time first. |
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to bread made with at least three types of grain. It doesn’t tell you whether the bread is made exclusively with wholemeal flour.
Check the types of flour on the label and compare the fibre figures on the same basis, such as per 100 g.
The name of the bread doesn’t tell you which salt was used to make it. So don’t rely on a general assumption when choosing a particular multigrain loaf.
Check the ingredients list or ask the baker which salt the loaf contains.
Ingredients vary from loaf to loaf. The multigrain breads described here include ingredients such as cereals containing gluten, sesame and soya.
If you’re serving guests, check the allergen information on the current packaging rather than relying on the product name or picture.
A whole loaf may be more than a small group will eat with their coffee.
Choose a size that suits the number of people eating, and decide in advance whether you’ll keep or freeze any leftover portions.
Leftover bread takes time to store later, or may go to waste.
These examples show some of the styles of bread you can compare. Always assess the ingredients and nutritional information for each individual loaf.
Albert Heijn describes AH Liefde & Passie Multigrain as a rustic sourdough loaf, baked on a stone oven floor.
Jumbo Stevig Multigrain is a wholemeal multigrain loaf with kernels and seeds; there’s also a half Waldkorn multigrain loaf, among other options.
Lidl lists multigrain bread and rustic multigrain sourdough options in its bakery range.
Aldi lists multigrain bread in its fresh daily bread range and also describes bake-at-home multigrain options.
PLUS sells multigrain sourdough demi-baguettes, among other products, for baking at home.
At Dirk, you can compare multigrain bread with wholemeal and bake-at-home options for a different serving occasion.
These breads are for anyone who wants to serve rustic multigrain bread and can set aside time to bake it at home. Compare the pack size with the number of people you’re hosting, and check separately whether the ingredients meet any preference you have for wholemeal bread.
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Baguette-style bread for anyone who wants to bake and share bread at the coffee table.
The product title lists 4 x 135 g x 2. Check the number of baguettes and the pack weight before deciding how much you’ll need for your guests.
Also check the latest ingredients and allergen information; don’t take the term multigrain as proof that it’s wholemeal.
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A round loaf for a coffee table where you’d like to serve more than one loaf or save some for later.
The title lists two 550 g loaves. If you’re hosting a small group, plan what you’ll do with the second loaf.
Check the packaging for baking instructions, allergens and ingredients if wholemeal flour is important to your choice.
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A single round loaf for anyone who wants to tailor the amount to a smaller coffee gathering.
The title lists 550 g. Check the baking instructions on the packaging before planning when to serve it.
If you’re serving guests, check the latest allergen information and the types of flour if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but it can also be made with refined flour. Check the types of flour on the packaging and compare fibre per 100 g if wholemeal ingredients are important to you.
No, the term multigrain doesn’t tell you which salt is in the loaf you’ve chosen. Check the ingredients list or ask the baker which salt was used.
Check the allergen information for the specific loaf on the latest packaging. The examples described here include cereals containing gluten, sesame and soya, among other ingredients; not all multigrain bread has the same ingredients.
Follow the storage instructions for the bread you’ve chosen, and freeze portions in good time if you want to use them later. For wholemeal bread, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer as general storage guidelines.
It can be, if the pack size is right and you have time to prepare the bread just before serving. Check the instructions on your packaging; PLUS gives a baking time of 8–10 minutes for its multigrain sourdough demi-baguettes.
