If you’re putting on a bread spread
You’re looking for a shape that suits the way your guests help themselves: topped slices from a whole loaf, or smaller pieces from rolls and baguettes.
Who is this choice relevant to?
If you look out for wholemeal bread and fibre
You don’t want to rely on the word ‘multigrain’. Instead, you compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g for each loaf. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain means that a bread contains at least three different types of grain.
If you check ingredients and allergens
You want to be able to check which grains, seeds and raising agents are in the bread before serving it. For the sourdough products described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo, it’s also worth checking for yeast and iodised salt.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve slices or individual portions of bread. Then compare the wholemeal content, ingredients and nutritional information on the current label for each option.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Bread shape and serving | Choose between whole sliced bread, fresh in-store bread, and bake-at-home rolls or baguettes. For bake-at-home bread, check the baking instructions. | If I’m making lots of topped slices, I want to put the bread on the table without having to do any extra slicing; serving convenience comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal content and fibre | Look for wholemeal ingredients in the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g. | When choosing multigrain bread, I want to know which of the grains used are wholemeal; around 27% of consumers give this priority. |
| Sourdough and flavour expectations | Check whether the ingredients include both sourdough and yeast. Don’t assume a product contains only sourdough based on its name. | For the celebration table, I’m specifically looking for bread made with sourdough, even if that means choosing a different shape; this matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the allergen information, possible traces and stated salt content. Look separately to see whether iodised salt is listed. | If the ingredients determine which bread I can serve, I read the label first and look at serving suggestions afterwards; this check is the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming ‘multigrain’ means ‘wholemeal’
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain refers to at least three types of grain. The word alone doesn’t tell you whether those grains are wholemeal.
If wholemeal content matters to you, check the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g.
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Assuming sourdough bread doesn’t contain yeast
The Albert Heijn and Jumbo options described here list baker’s yeast or yeast alongside sourdough. So a product described as sourdough doesn’t automatically tell you which raising agents have been used.
Read the full ingredients list if you’re looking for bread raised exclusively with sourdough.
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Planning to order fresh in-store bread online
Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are only available in store. That means where you buy them needs to be part of your planning.
Check with the store which options are available if you want to serve this bread for Flag Day.
A trip to the shop takes extra time if you were expecting to have your bread delivered.
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Leaving the label until after you’ve bought the bread
The products described contain different grains and seeds; Albert Heijn and Jumbo also list iodised salt for the options reviewed. Ingredients and allergens can vary between products.
Check the current packaging for allergens, possible traces, salt and raising agents before serving the bread.
Brands to compare
These brands offer a range of bread shapes. Check the label for the specific product: a brand’s multigrain option isn’t automatically a sourdough bread.
Albert Heijn
AH OerDesem dark multigrain is a whole sliced loaf for anyone who wants plenty of slices to top.
- Albert Heijn states that this loaf contains 44% wholemeal wheat flour and 7,1% wholemeal wheat sourdough.
- The label also lists baker’s yeast and iodised salt. Check the current packaging if you have specific ingredient requirements.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes both fresh-in-store rustic sourdough loaves and multigrain sourdough products to bake at home.
- According to Jumbo, its rustic sourdough loaves are proved for more than 24 hours with fresh sourdough; the range includes a brown multigrain option.
- Jumbo says these rustic loaves are only available in store. The bake-at-home options described also list yeast on the label.
PLUS
PLUS features Korenlanders multigrain sourdough products, including baguettes and demi-baguettes.
- The bake-at-home options are worth considering if you want to serve individual pieces of bread.
- PLUS warns that product information can change. Check the packaging if the ingredients or wholemeal content are important to you.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands features an organic rustic multigrain sourdough loaf and describes bread that is baked in store.
- The rustic sourdough loaf is a specific option to compare with whole sliced and bake-at-home bread.
- For this option, check in store for the ingredients and nutritional information that matter to you.
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands features wholemeal multigrain bread and multigrain baguettes, among other products.
- The different shapes give you the choice between slices and pieces of baguette for the table.
- Only choose a specific option as sourdough if sourdough is listed in the ingredients.
Dirk
Dirk features a whole multigrain hearth-baked loaf and rustic multigrain baguettes, among other products.
- You can compare both bread shapes based on the portions you want to prepare for the table.
- Check the packaging to see whether your chosen multigrain option also contains sourdough.
Multigrain baguettes for your celebration table
These two Lekhaven Bakkerij options are baguettes for anyone who wants to serve individual portions of bread. The product names differ in quantity; also check the current label if sourdough, wholemeal content, fibre or allergens affect your choice.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 2 × (4 × 135 g)
For a bread spread where you want to divide several baguettes into individual portions.
The product name lists two sets of four baguettes, each weighing 135 g. If you’re looking for bread raised exclusively with sourdough, or need to check for wheat and sesame, check the current ingredients and allergen information first. Compare fibre and salt per 100 g on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Multigrain Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
For anyone who wants to serve baguettes in individual pieces at their Flag Day table.
The product name lists four baguettes, each weighing 135 g. Check the packaging for raising agents and allergens if yeast, wheat or sesame are important to your choice. Also check the wholemeal ingredients and nutritional information per 100 g.
Frequently asked questions
Is multigrain bread automatically wholemeal?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, multigrain bread contains at least three different types of grain, but that doesn’t automatically mean they’re wholemeal. Check the ingredients and, if you like, compare fibre per 100 g.
Does ‘made with sourdough’ mean that bread contains no yeast?
No, not necessarily. The AH OerDesem option and Jumbo multigrain sourdough products described here list baker’s yeast or yeast as well as sourdough. Check the ingredients list for each product if you want bread raised exclusively with sourdough.
How do I check allergens in multigrain sourdough bread?
Read the allergen information on the specific packaging before serving the bread. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo products described here contain gluten-containing cereals; the Jumbo sourdough rolls also list sesame. Check separately for warnings about possible traces.
Should I look out for iodised salt in multigrain bread?
Check the current label if iodised salt is relevant to your choice. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo options described here list it, but their ingredients lists don’t tell you anything about every other loaf.