If you’re organising a traditional Dutch birth celebration
You want to serve aniseed sprinkles on rusks and need to work out how many you’ll need. Bread is an optional extra, not a replacement for the crisp rusks.
Who is this relevant to?
If you’re planning a brunch or party table
You’re serving breakfast or lunch as well as rusks. Multigrain or sourdough bread can be served for guests who would prefer a sandwich.
If you choose based on the label
You want to know whether a bread is wholemeal, how much fibre or salt it contains, or which ingredients and allergens it includes. The product name alone won’t give you the full picture.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you’re serving only rusks with aniseed sprinkles or offering bread as well. Then compare the size and, if it matters to your guests, the nutritional information and ingredients of each product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Rusks or bread | Choose rusks for the traditional, crisp treat. Add bread if you’re also serving breakfast or lunch. | If I mainly want to serve rusks with aniseed sprinkles, I want to keep that familiar crisp base. For around 34% of consumers, choosing the right type of product comes first. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare fibre per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ on its own does not mean that the bread is wholemeal. | When serving bread, I want to base my choice on whether it’s wholemeal and its nutritional value, not just its name. Around 33% of consumers say this is their first requirement. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current label. If someone needs to eat gluten-free, choose a product clearly labelled as gluten-free and prevent contact with ordinary bread crumbs. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know which bread is suitable before serving it. For around 20% of consumers, checking this is a priority. |
| Quantity and practical planning | Choose the number of items or the weight of the loaf to suit your group. For bake-at-home bread, check the preparation instructions too; only compare salt levels using the same nutritional basis. | For a small group, I don’t want to prepare more bread than necessary, and the preparation needs to fit into my plans. Around 13% of consumers consider this first. |
Common mistakes
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Confusing multigrain with wholemeal
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, ‘multigrain’ refers to at least three types of grain. The term doesn’t tell you whether those grains are wholemeal.
Look specifically for ‘wholemeal’ and check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g if these qualities matter to your choice.
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Buying bread as a substitute for rusks
A slice of bread doesn’t have the dry, crisp base of traditional rusks with aniseed sprinkles.
Serve rusks for the treat, and only add bread if you’re also planning breakfast or lunch.
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Assuming grains and seeds are suitable for every guest
Ingredients and allergens vary from one bread to another. ‘Multigrain’ is not a term for gluten-free bread.
Ask about any dietary requirements, read the current label and, if necessary, keep a gluten-free product separate from ordinary bread crumbs.
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Relying on outdated product information
A bread that was available before may not have the same ingredients or availability as the product you can buy now.
Check the latest product information or the in-store label shortly before you buy, especially for ingredients, allergens and nutritional value.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes AH Liefde & Passie Meergranen as a rustic bread made with sourdough and baked on a stone oven floor.
- A specific bread option if you want to serve slices alongside the rusks.
- Check the wholemeal status, ingredients and allergens of each bread; a rustic description doesn’t provide this information.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists multigrain bread in its product range.
- Product information can help you compare the ingredients and nutritional values of a particular bread.
- Jumbo says that some multigrain breads listed previously are no longer available online. Check which products you can buy now.
Lidl
Lidl lists a 600 g organic rustic multigrain sourdough bread with seeds and kernels as an in-store product.
- The type of loaf and stated weight can help you plan a bread table alongside the rusks.
- Check the current in-store label if nutritional value, ingredients or allergens affect your choice.
Aldi
Aldi lists both multigrain bread and wholemeal bread in its daily fresh bread range.
- The separate descriptions make it easier to search specifically for wholemeal or multigrain bread.
- Aldi’s description of its wholemeal breads doesn’t automatically apply to every multigrain bread; check the name and ingredients of the product you choose.
Plus
Plus lists products including Korenlanders Desem Meergranen Boekweit in its multigrain bread range.
- This listing gives you a starting point if you’re specifically looking for sourdough bread.
- Check the latest product information and availability at the shop where you’re buying.
Dirk
Dirk shows several types of bread in its search results for multigrain bread, including a wholemeal multigrain loaf.
- You can choose a type of bread to suit a small treat or a more substantial meal.
- Don’t judge whether a bread meets dietary requirements by a search result or the word ‘multigrain’; check the label of the bread you choose.
Multigrain bread as an extra
These Joybuy products are bread options to serve at breakfast or lunch alongside rusks with aniseed sprinkles. The baguettes, rolls and round loaf come in different sizes; none of them replaces crisp rusks for the traditional treat.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
These four baguettes are an extra for a breakfast or lunch table alongside the rusks. They’re frozen bake-at-home bread, so allow time to defrost and bake them, following the instructions on the current packaging.
Check the ingredients and allergens if guests need to avoid certain grains or sesame.
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g'woon Multigrain Rolls, 4 rolls
These four rolls work well on a bread board alongside traditional rusks. If you specifically want wholemeal bread or a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, check the latest product information on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Country Bread Round, 550 g
This round loaf is an option for a shared bread table alongside the rusks. It weighs 550 g, so consider how many guests you’re catering for. As it’s frozen bake-at-home bread, allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling.
If the ingredients, wholemeal status or allergens are key to your choice, read the current label.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need multigrain bread as well as rusks with aniseed sprinkles?
No. For the traditional crisp treat, choose rusks. Multigrain bread is an extra if you’re also serving breakfast or lunch; choose the size to suit the number of guests.
Is multigrain bread the same as wholemeal bread?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain, but this doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal. Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and, if needed, compare the fibre per 100 g.
Does all multigrain bread contain iodine?
You can’t tell from the word ‘multigrain’. To find out whether iodised baker’s salt has been used in a particular bread, read the current ingredients list or ask the baker.
What should I consider if a guest needs to eat gluten-free?
Choose a product clearly labelled as gluten-free; ordinary multigrain bread isn’t automatically gluten-free. Prevent contact with crumbs from ordinary bread and, for other allergies, check the ingredients and allergens separately.