Choose multigrain bread for coffee time based on what you want to serve: a whole loaf as a centrepiece, individual portions or bread you bake just before serving. If wholemeal bread or suitability for guests with allergies is important, the words ‘multigrain’, ‘sourdough’ and ‘artisan’ don’t tell you enough on their own. Check the description, ingredients and allergens for the exact loaf.
A whole round loaf, a sourdough option or bread you bake yourself can work well when the bread is a visible part of your coffee spread. Decide in advance how you’ll slice it and whether you’ll have time to prepare it.
According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ refers to bread made with at least three types of grain; it doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal. So check the wholemeal description and ingredients of the loaf you choose.
If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, the information on the current label takes priority over the type of bread you’d like to serve. Ask for allergen information if you’re buying unwrapped bread, and keep any suitable alternative separate from regular bread when serving.
First decide what matters most for this coffee occasion: how you’ll serve the bread, whether it’s demonstrably wholemeal, or whether it’s suitable for guests with specific dietary needs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and presentation | Choose between a whole loaf and individual portions; if you’re buying bake-at-home bread, check the preparation instructions. | If the bread is taking centre stage on the table, I want its shape and preparation to suit the occasion. Around 42% of consumers give flavour and presentation top priority. |
| Wholemeal and nutritional information | Look for an explicit wholemeal description and read the ingredients; compare fibre on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g. | If you want to serve wholemeal bread, you can’t tell just from its dark colour or seeds. For around 33% of consumers, choosing wholemeal comes first. |
| Allergens and dietary requirements | Read the allergen information for the exact product; only choose a product explicitly labelled gluten-free if needed. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know which bread is suitable before buying it and be able to serve it separately. For around 25% of consumers, this is the most important factor. |
Bread made with several types of grain doesn’t have to be made with wholemeal flour. According to the Voedingscentrum, the term multigrain tells you which types of grain have been used, not that the bread is wholemeal.
Look for an explicit wholemeal description and check the ingredients list if wholemeal is the reason for your choice.
A rustic shape or a word such as ‘artisan’ won’t tell you which types of flour, allergens or preparation steps are involved.
Decide what you want to serve, then compare the details of the individual products.
Ingredients and allergens vary from one loaf to another. This matters a great deal when you’re buying for guests with a food allergy or other dietary requirement.
Check the current packaging before you buy, or ask for information if you’re buying unwrapped bread. Keep any suitable alternative separate while serving.
Bread that still needs to thaw or bake won’t suit every serving schedule.
Read the instructions for your chosen product before planning your coffee occasion.
Remember to allow time and space for the oven or air fryer, too.
Albert Heijn’s range includes OerDesem donker meergranen and Liefde & Passie Meergranen.
At Jumbo, you can compare Boeren Donker Volkoren Meergranen with Stevig Meergranen, among other options.
Lidl lists a 600 g organic brown sourdough multigrain loaf with seeds and kernels.
Aldi describes Boeren volkoren meergranen as bread made with grains and seeds.
PLUS offers Korenlanders varieties including a round multigrain loaf, a sourdough multigrain baguette and sourdough multigrain bread with buckwheat.
Dirk lists a half loaf of multigrain bread from Bakker van der Akker.
These options are chosen with the coffee table in mind: two varieties that need preparation and a pack of individual rolls. Check each product separately to make sure its ingredients, allergens and preparation method suit your guests and your schedule.
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Two round loaves are a good option if you want to slice and share the bread at the table.
Allow time for this frozen bread to thaw, bake and cool. Check the current packaging for the wholemeal description and allergen information.
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Four baguettes are a good fit for a table where you want to share smaller loaves.
Allow time for thawing and baking. Follow the packaging for the baking time, and check the wholemeal description and allergen information before choosing this bread for guests.
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Four individual rolls are a good option if you don’t want to slice a whole loaf.
The product information lists cereals containing gluten, lupin, milk, sesame and soya. If these allergens are relevant, check the current packaging. Also look for the wholemeal description and any serving instructions.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains at least three types of grain, but it can also be made with refined flour. Look for an explicit wholemeal description and read the ingredients for the loaf you want to buy.
Don’t choose based on the words ‘multigrain’ or ‘sourdough’. Check which product is explicitly labelled gluten-free on its current packaging and meets your guest’s needs. Keep it separate from regular bread when serving.
Before buying, ask for the allergen information for the specific loaf if it isn’t clearly displayed. For pre-packed bread, read the current label; don’t rely on information for a similar loaf.
Read the instructions on the packaging for your chosen product before setting a time to serve it. For example, PLUS gives a baking time of 8–10 minutes for its Korenlanders Meergranen stokbrood met desem; preparation times may differ for other loaves.
Don’t assume so without checking the product. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread is an important source of iodine, and some product ingredient lists mention baker’s salt or iodised salt. If this matters to your choice, read the ingredients list for the exact loaf.
