Don’t automatically buy oats as a base for an Indonesian rijsttafel: the Netherlands Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage describes a rijsttafel as dishes served with rice or noodles. A large pack of oats makes most sense if you also use them regularly for breakfast or baking and can store them properly. Choose the type of oat flakes that suits your needs and check the label.
A larger pack could be a good choice for breakfast or baking if you use it regularly and can store it at home in a dry, airtight place. Jumbo and ALDI both list a 1 kg pack; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre provides advice on storing opened oats.
If you’re looking for a base for the meal, choose between rice and noodles. The Netherlands Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage names these as accompaniments to rijsttafel dishes; oats for your store cupboard are a separate purchase.
Check the label on the oats you choose. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that oats can be contaminated with gluten during processing, and recommends the official Crossed Grain symbol for people with coeliac disease.
First decide whether you’re buying something for a rijsttafel or for your oat supplies. Then choose a pack size that suits how you use it, your storage space and any label requirements.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is it important for? |
|---|---|---|
| How much to stock up on | Compare the net weight with how often you eat or cook with oats. Jumbo and ALDI list 1 kg packs; Quaker also offers individual portions. | If I use oats regularly, I want to buy an amount that suits how much I get through. For around 33% of consumers, choosing how much to stock up on comes first. |
| Their role in a rijsttafel | Decide whether you’re looking for a base for the meal or oats for another use. The Netherlands Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage names rice or noodles as accompaniments to rijsttafel dishes. | When planning a meal, I don’t want to accidentally buy oats instead of the intended base. This is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
| Storing after opening | Check whether you can seal the pack properly or store the contents in a dry, airtight storage container. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends a cool, dry and dark place. | With limited cupboard space, I want to be able to store a larger pack without the contents getting damp. This matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
| Allergen information | Read the ingredients and allergen information for the variety you choose. For people with coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends the official Crossed Grain symbol for oats. | If gluten is a deciding factor, I need to be able to tell from the specific pack whether the product meets my requirements. This check is the top priority for around 17% of consumers. |
A large pack doesn’t solve the question of what to serve with your meal. The Netherlands Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage describes a rijsttafel as a selection of dishes served with rice or noodles.
Make separate shopping lists for your rijsttafel and for breakfast or baking. Only buy oats for the meal if you have a specific recipe of your own in mind.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, opened oats keep for one year in a kitchen cupboard if stored in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container.
Choose an amount that suits how much you use, and make sure you can seal the opened pack carefully.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre warns that oats can be contaminated with gluten during processing. Allergen information can also vary from product to product.
Read the label on the variety you choose. For people with coeliac disease, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre specifically recommends the official Crossed Grain symbol.
Jumbo lists fine and coarse wholegrain oats, including a 1 kg value pack.
ALDI lists Golden Bridge wholegrain oats in fine or coarse flakes, including a 1 kg pack.
Quaker offers standard oats and Oats Express Naturel in a pack of twelve individual portions.
Lidl lists Crownfield Organic oats for anyone specifically looking for an organic variety.
Not as an obvious substitute for rice or noodles. The Netherlands Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage describes rijsttafel dishes as being served with rice or noodles. Only buy oats for the meal if you have a specific recipe of your own in mind.
A large pack is a good option if you regularly use oats for breakfast or baking and can store them properly. Choose a net weight that matches how much you use, rather than buying extra just to build up your supplies.
No, you don’t need a tin to store oats properly. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened oats in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container. A carefully sealed pack or a suitable storage container will do the job.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened oats can be kept for one year in a kitchen cupboard if stored in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container. Also check the best-before date and storage instructions on the pack you choose.
No, the name ‘oats’ doesn’t mean the product is gluten-free. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that oats can be contaminated with gluten during processing and recommends the official Crossed Grain symbol for people with coeliac disease. You should also check the label on the variety you choose.
