Drinks host on a budget
You want to buy enough bread for your guests. The number of items in a pack tells you less than its weight and the amount you’ll actually serve.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Host who wants to serve quickly
You’re looking for bread that’s easy to offer in pieces or slices alongside dips, cheese or other toppings. If you choose bake-at-home bread, you’ll also need to allow time to prepare it.
Host who checks the labels
You want to know whether the bread is wholemeal and what ingredients, allergens and type of salt it contains, rather than assuming these things from the name ‘multigrain’.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how much bread you want to serve and in what form. Then check how much preparation it needs and read the product information.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Amount for your guests | Compare the net weight and the number of loaves or rolls in each pack with the amount you want to serve. | If I’m making topped slices for several guests, I want to avoid running out halfway through. Having enough bread is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Serving and preparation | Check whether the bread is pre-sliced or needs baking, and what equipment and preparation time you’ll need. | I want to serve pieces of bread with drinks without any last-minute surprises during preparation. Being able to serve quickly is the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
| Label information | Check whether the bread is wholemeal and read the ingredients and allergen information. If needed, look for a mention of bakers’ salt or iodised salt. | If wholemeal bread or a particular ingredient matters to my guests, I want to be able to check this on the pack. Around 25% of consumers give this check top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all packs contain the same amount
A half loaf, a whole loaf and a pack containing several baguettes won’t necessarily provide the same amount of bread.
Check the net weight and think about how many slices or pieces you want to serve your guests.
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Assuming multigrain means wholemeal
According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain means that different types of grain have been used. It doesn’t automatically mean the bread is wholemeal.
Look for an explicit wholemeal label and read the ingredients list if this distinction will affect your choice.
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Leaving bake-at-home bread until just before serving
Bake-at-home bread requires equipment and preparation, and the instructions can vary from one product to another.
Read the preparation instructions before planning your get-together. If you don’t have time to bake it, choose bread that’s ready to serve as it is.
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Assuming the bread’s name tells you about allergens or iodised salt
Ingredients vary between products. According to the Voedingscentrum, using bakers’ salt in bread is not compulsory.
Check the latest allergen information for your guests. If it matters to your choice, look on the label for bakers’ salt or iodised salt.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
The range includes different types of bread, including multigrain bread and hearth-baked loaves.
- You can compare different types if you’re still deciding between slices and pieces of bread.
- Some varieties are only available in store, so check what your local branch stocks.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists products including boeren donker volkoren meergranenbrood and Stevig Meergranen.
- The product information for Stevig Meergranen includes nutritional values and allergen details, helping you assess whether it’s right for you.
- Check the current product page and packaging, as the online range may change.
Lidl
Lidl has an in-store, freshly baked range that includes multigrain bread.
- An option to look at in store when choosing bread for your get-together.
- Lidl says its fresh bread range may vary from one branch to another.
ALDI
ALDI lists products including a half wholemeal multigrain loaf, a multigrain baguette and a whole multigrain hearth loaf.
- The different types make it easier to choose between slicing the bread yourself and sharing it in pieces.
- Check the weight and packaging information of your chosen variety in store.
PLUS
The range includes products such as sourdough loaves and part-baked wholemeal multigrain baguettes.
- PLUS provides oven and air fryer instructions for its part-baked baguettes.
- Allow time to bake this variety and check the instructions on the packaging.
Dirk
Alongside multigrain bread, Dirk lists bake-at-home bread and multigrain French sticks.
- Some products show their weight, which can help you work out how much you’ll need.
- Check the information for the specific product to find out about ingredients and nutritional values.
Multigrain bread at Joybuy
These products come in different forms for your get-together: a round loaf to slice yourself, baguettes to serve in pieces and individual rolls. Compare the quantity in each pack and check how to prepare each product before serving.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g x 2
A round loaf to slice yourself for toppings or toast. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging and allow time for baking and cooling if needed.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g x 2
A baguette-style option to serve in pieces. Before working out how much you need for your guests, check the number of baguettes and total weight on the packaging. Also read the preparation instructions.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 x 135 g
Four baguettes to slice into pieces for your get-together. Check the packaging for baking instructions and allow time to prepare them.
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g'woon Popular Multigrain Baguettes, 2 stuks, 300 g
Two baguettes with a combined weight of 300 g, ready to share in pieces. Check the packaging to see whether they need preparing, and read the allergen information for your guests.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 stuks
Four individual rolls for guests who would prefer their own. Check the net weight and preparation instructions on the packaging to plan how many you need and how to prepare them.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread contains different types of grain, but it can also be made with refined flour. Check the wholemeal label and ingredients list on the bread you choose.
Does multigrain bread always contain iodised bakers’ salt?
No. The Voedingscentrum says that using bakers’ salt when baking bread is not compulsory. If it matters to your choice, check the ingredients for bakers’ salt or iodised salt.
How should I store bread bought in advance for a get-together?
For wholemeal bread, the Voedingscentrum generally recommends keeping it in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months. Bread dries out more quickly in the fridge, so also follow the storage instructions on the product.
How can I check bread for guests with an allergy?
Before serving, read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the bread you’ve chosen. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed products is shown on the label. For unpackaged bread, ask the seller for this information before you buy it.