Who is this choice relevant to?

The host of a coffee and cake gathering

Wants bread that complements the cake in flavour, crust and quantity, without buying more than they need for a single get-together.

The shopper who also eats bread every day

Wants to know whether the bread is genuinely wholemeal, so checks the product description, ingredients and fibre per 100 g.

The label checker

Needs clear information about ingredients and allergens before buying, or wants to check whether the bread contains baker’s salt or iodised salt.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide how much bread you want to serve with coffee and whether you’ll use any slices later. Then compare the product description and label for each loaf: multigrain and sourdough don’t, by themselves, tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal or yeast-free.

Whole multigrain sourdough loaf

A good fit if: you need several slices and want to use any leftover bread later. AH OerDesem donker meergranen is a sliced wholemeal loaf weighing 800 g.

Bear in mind: if you buy a whole loaf, you’ll need a plan for storing it once your gathering is over.

Small multigrain sourdough loaf

A good fit if: you’re serving bread to a smaller group. PLUS Korenlanders Kleintje desembrood bruin meergranen is a part-baked loaf weighing 300 g.

Bear in mind: small and multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal; this PLUS loaf contains both wholemeal wheat flour and wheat flour.

Multigrain sourdough baguette to bake at home

A good fit if: you want to bake the bread just before your get-together. For the PLUS baguette reviewed, PLUS recommends 8–10 minutes in the oven at 220 °C, or 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 200 °C.

Bear in mind: you’ll need the equipment specified and enough time to prepare it.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters most to
Type of bread Check the size and ingredients, such as seeds or malt, and decide whether you need to bake the bread at home. If I’m serving cake too, I want to choose a bread shape and flavour that suit my table. For around 30% of consumers, the occasion is the top priority.
Wholemeal and fibre Check the product description and ingredients to see whether it’s wholemeal; compare fibre only on the same basis, such as per 100 g. I want to eat the rest of the loaf on ordinary days too, so I need to know whether it’s wholemeal. This matters most to around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Check the latest ingredients and allergen information and, if it matters to your choice, look for baker’s salt or iodised salt. If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know exactly what’s in the bread before I buy it. For around 20% of consumers, this clarity is their main concern.
Quantity and storage Compare the loaf weights and decide in advance whether you can store or freeze any leftover slices. For a single coffee and cake get-together, I don’t want to cut more bread than I can use or store. Around 20% of consumers prioritise getting the quantity right.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming multigrain means wholemeal

    According to the Voedingscentrum, multigrain bread can also be made with refined flour. The name alone doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal.

    If wholemeal is a must for you, check the product description and ingredients list.

  • Assuming sourdough means yeast-free

    The Albert Heijn and PLUS sourdough products reviewed also list baker’s yeast; some also list a flour improver or emulsifier.

    Check the label on the exact loaf if you want to avoid certain ingredients.

  • Taking it for granted that bread contains iodine

    Baker’s salt contains iodine, but according to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use it.

    Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt on the label. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask which ingredients have been used.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a storage plan

    You may have bread left over after a coffee and cake get-together, even if a whole loaf seems convenient to serve.

    Choose a size that suits your group or freeze any leftover slices in portions. Follow the storage instructions for the product.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Sliced AH OerDesem donker meergranen is a specific example of a wholemeal multigrain sourdough loaf.

  • This loaf weighs 800 g, contains 44% wholemeal wheat flour and lists iodised salt.
  • These details apply to this loaf, not to every Albert Heijn sourdough bread. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information.

Jumbo

Jumbo includes a brown multigrain option in its range of rustic sourdough breads baked in store.

  • Jumbo says these sourdough breads are left to rise for more than 24 hours using fresh sourdough starter.
  • According to Jumbo, these breads baked in store aren’t available to order online. Check in store to see which breads are available.

PLUS

PLUS offers both a small part-baked multigrain sourdough loaf and a multigrain sourdough baguette to bake at home.

  • The Korenlanders Kleintje weighs 300 g, and PLUS provides baking instructions for the baguette.
  • The small loaf also lists baker’s yeast and an emulsifier. Check the ingredients and allergens for each product.

Lidl

Lidl lists wholemeal and multigrain breads among its oven-fresh bread selection.

  • You can see what fresh bread is available in store.
  • According to Lidl, the selection varies by store. Check whether a suitable multigrain sourdough option is available.

ALDI

Luxe vloerbrood meergranen is a pre-sliced loaf containing grains and seeds.

  • The product description makes clear that it’s a multigrain floor-baked loaf.
  • If sourdough is a must, check the label to see whether this particular loaf is made with sourdough.

Dirk

Dirk lists both multigrain and sourdough breads in its range, including a multigrain floor-baked loaf.

  • The range gives you a starting point for looking for both types of bread.
  • Check the loaf itself to see whether it combines multigrain and sourdough in one product.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?

No. The Voedingscentrum explains that multigrain bread can also be made with refined flour. If you’re specifically looking for wholemeal bread, check the product description and ingredients list.

Does sourdough mean that a loaf doesn’t contain baker’s yeast?

No. The AH OerDesem and PLUS Kleintje loaves reviewed list baker’s yeast as well as sourdough. If the presence of yeast or other additives matters to you, check the ingredients for the loaf you want to buy.

Does every loaf of bread in the Netherlands contain iodine from baker’s salt?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, baker’s salt contains iodine, but bakers aren’t required to use it. Check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt, and ask about the ingredients if you’re buying unpackaged bread.

Are the multigrain sourdough breads mentioned gluten-free?

No. The products mentioned from Albert Heijn and PLUS contain gluten-containing grains. Don’t rely on the words multigrain or sourdough to tell you that a bread is gluten-free; always check the latest ingredients and allergen information for the exact loaf before buying.

What should I do with bread left over after a coffee and cake get-together?

Freeze leftover slices in portions if you want to use them later. For opened wholemeal bread, the Voedingscentrum recommends 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer; also follow the storage instructions on your bread’s packaging.