Hosts serving generously topped bites
You want to serve topped bites and need slices whose size and texture work well with the toppings. Before buying, check how the bread is actually sliced.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Hosts who value wholemeal bread and fibre
You want to know more than how many types of grain a loaf contains. Check whether it is labelled wholemeal and, if the information is available, compare the fibre per 100 g.
Hosts catering for guests with allergies
You need the latest ingredients and allergen information before serving bread containing grains or seeds. Don’t rely on the bread’s name alone.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how you want to serve the bread at your dinner party: as slices for toppings or as individual pieces of baguette. Then check the product description and any information that matters to your guests.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and texture | Check whether the bread is pre-sliced and whether you can get the thickness you want. A name suggesting a firm loaf doesn’t guarantee thick slices. | If I want to serve generously topped bites, the slices need to be the right size and texture. This would be the main concern when buying bread for around 36% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and compare the stated fibre per 100 g on a like-for-like basis. | If you want to serve wholemeal multigrain bread, the word ‘multigrain’ alone isn’t enough. An estimated 29% of consumers would want to check this first. |
| Allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, including any cross-contamination warnings. Ask for allergen information if the bread is sold loose. | If a guest has an allergy, I want to know which bread I can serve before I buy it. This information would be the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| When you plan to serve it | Check the storage and preparation instructions, especially if you’re buying the bread in advance or need to bake it at home. | If I buy the bread well in advance, I want to be able to plan when it will be served. This planning would be the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread is made using at least three types of grain. That doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal.
Check the product description and ingredients. To compare fibre values, use the nutrition information per 100 g.
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Taking ‘sturdy’, ‘oven-bottom baked’ or ‘whole’ to mean thick slices are guaranteed
These words don’t describe how thick the slices are. For example, Albert Heijn says its whole multigrain oven-bottom loaf is sliced and packaged in store every day.
Check whether the bread is pre-sliced and ask about the actual slice thickness if you need wide, thick slices for toppings.
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Guessing allergens from the name of the bread
A name such as ‘rustic’ or ‘sourdough’ doesn’t give you a complete picture of the ingredients. Multigrain bread may contain gluten-containing cereals or sesame, among other ingredients.
If you’re catering for guests with allergies, use the latest allergen information for the specific bread, including when it’s sold loose.
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt
According to the Voedingscentrum, bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. So the name ‘multigrain bread’ doesn’t tell you which type of salt has been used.
If it matters to your choice, check the ingredients for baker’s salt or iodised salt.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists a whole brown multigrain oven-bottom loaf which, according to the product page, is sliced and packaged in store every day.
- The product page describes a crisp crust and states that it contains 5.2 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Check the actual slice thickness; ‘oven-bottom loaf’ doesn’t guarantee thick slices.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s multigrain range includes Stevig Meergranen and Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen.
- The product names help distinguish between a variety described as sturdy and a separate wholemeal variety.
- For Stevig Meergranen, check the slice thickness, ingredients and allergens; the name doesn’t confirm these details.
Lidl
Lidl offers multigrain bread in different forms, including rustic multigrain sourdough bread.
- Lidl displays a fibre meter on its packaged loaves, so you can check the stated amount of fibre per 100 g.
- Lidl describes its rustic multigrain sourdough bread as white multigrain bread. Check separately if you’re looking for a wholemeal loaf.
ALDI
ALDI offers, among other options, farmhouse wholemeal multigrain bread, multigrain oven-bottom bread and multigrain baguettes.
- The different bread shapes give you a choice between slices from a large loaf and pieces of baguette.
- Check the slice thickness and latest nutrition and allergen information for each product before choosing bread for your guests.
PLUS
PLUS offers a dark, round multigrain loaf and multigrain baguettes as different ways to serve bread.
- For the Korenlanders variety, PLUS states that it contains 50% wholemeal wheat flour and 6.8 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Check the latest allergen information for this variety too; the shape and wholemeal status don’t tell you which ingredients are suitable for your guests.
Dirk
Dirk offers, among other options, whole and half multigrain loaves, wholemeal multigrain bread, oven-bottom loaves and bake-at-home baguettes.
- You can compare different types of bread side by side to find the shape that suits the way you want to serve it.
- Check the slices, nutrition information and allergens for your chosen loaf in the latest product information or on the packaging.
Multigrain bread at Joybuy
These Joybuy products offer two ways to serve bread at a dinner party: a round multigrain loaf to serve in slices and multigrain baguettes for individual portions. For the round loaf, check how it will be delivered and whether you can get the slices you want; a baguette isn’t a large loaf cut into thick slices.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g x 2
If you’re serving topped bites on slices of round multigrain bread, this product is worth considering, provided the delivery format and slice thickness suit what you have in mind.
- Pack: two round loaves, each weighing 550 g.
- Check the latest product description for wholemeal status and the packaging for ingredients and allergens.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g
This baguette shape is an option if you’re serving individual pieces of bread at a dinner party. If you’re looking for wide slices from a large loaf for generous toppings, check whether that other shape would suit you better.
- Pack: four multigrain baguettes, each weighing 135 g.
- Check the preparation instructions, wholemeal status and latest allergen information on the packaging you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No, multigrain bread isn’t automatically wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain. To choose a wholemeal loaf, check the product description and ingredients.
Does Dutch multigrain bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, according to the Voedingscentrum, bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. Check the label or ingredients for the specific bread to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed.
How do I check allergens when buying bread for guests?
Read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the specific bread; ask for it if the bread is sold loose. With multigrain bread, check for gluten-containing cereals and sesame, among other allergens, but don’t assume every product contains the same ingredients.
How should I store bread bought in advance for a dinner party?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and, if needed, freeze the bread in portions. For wholemeal bread, the Voedingscentrum recommends keeping it in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. For other types of bread, check the storage instructions for that product.