Who is this choice for?

Meal planners who put organic first

For a brunch or shared meal, you want to be sure that the bread you choose is organic. So check the organic certification and the label, rather than relying on words such as ‘rustic’.

Bread lovers who look for wholemeal and fibre

Even when choosing a special loaf, you want to know which grain and flour have been used. For you, the words ‘sourdough’ or ‘organic’ don’t answer the question of whether the bread is wholemeal.

Hosts who want to serve warm rolls

You want to bake rolls just before the meal, so you factor in oven space, cooking time and the allergens in the specific product when making your choice.

What should you look for?

First decide whether organic ingredients, the type of bread or how it’s served matters most to you. Then check the other details for each loaf: they don’t automatically follow from your first choice.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Organic ingredients Check for an organic certification or the EU organic logo, and read the current label. If organic ingredients are my priority for a meal, I want to be able to identify them on the bread I choose; this is the most important consideration for around 42% of consumers.
Wholemeal and fibre Check whether the bread is labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g. For me, a special loaf also needs to suit my preference for wholemeal; an estimated 33% of consumers prioritise this.
Serving and preparation Compare whole loaves with part-baked rolls, and check the cooking time and oven temperature for part-baked products. I want to serve warm bread with a meal, but I need to have enough oven space and time; this serving preference matters most to around 25% of consumers.

Common pitfalls

  • Assuming sourdough or a rustic look means organic or wholemeal

    Sourdough describes how bread is made; a rustic appearance says nothing about whether it’s organic or wholemeal. Albert Heijn describes Liefde & Passie Biologisch OerDesem blond as an organic white wheat sourdough loaf.

    Check the organic certification, type of bread and fibre per 100 g separately.

  • Assuming fresh in-store bread can be ordered online

    Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are only available in store. Lidl also describes its Bio rustiek woutkorn desembrood as an in-store product.

    Before planning your meal, check how you can buy the bread you’ve chosen and whether it’s available at your preferred store.

    You may need to visit a store, and have an alternative in mind in case the bread isn’t available.

  • Choosing part-baked rolls without checking the cooking instructions and allergens

    According to the product information, Dutch Bakery Bio Desem Pompoenbroodjes at PLUS need 6–8 minutes in the oven at 220°C. They contain cereals containing gluten and may contain mustard, sesame and lupin.

    Plan your oven space and meal timing around the cooking time. If you’re serving guests, check the current allergen information on the packaging.

  • Assuming the bread contains iodised salt

    The type of bread doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in an individual product. Albert Heijn says that Liefde & Passie Biologisch OerDesem blond contains iodised salt.

    Read the ingredients list for the loaf you buy, and ask for the product specification if needed when buying unpackaged bread.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn / Liefde & Passie

Liefde & Passie Biologisch OerDesem blond is a whole organic sourdough loaf for serving with a meal.

  • Albert Heijn lists the EU organic logo, a weight of 600 g and a 56-hour proving process.
  • It’s a white wheat sourdough loaf with less than 3 g of fibre per 100 g. It contains gluten and lists iodised salt.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a range of rustic sourdough loaves baked in store.

  • Jumbo says these loaves are proved for more than 24 hours with fresh sourdough starter.
  • The range is only available in store. If organic is essential, check the label on the individual loaf.

Lidl

Bio rustiek woutkorn desembrood is an organic brown wheat sourdough loaf with seeds and kernels.

  • Lidl lists a whole 600 g loaf for anyone looking to serve bread with seeds and kernels at a meal.
  • The product is marked as available in store only. Check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

ALDI / BIO

BIO Biologisch roggebrood, weighing 400 g, is a different type of bread from a whole wheat sourdough loaf.

  • ALDI lists the product as organic rye bread.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional information and availability in store; the item is marked as available while stocks last.

PLUS

Dutch Bakery Bio Desem Pompoenbroodjes are organic part-baked rolls for serving warm portions.

  • PLUS lists a pack size of 320 g and a cooking time of 6–8 minutes at 220°C.
  • The rolls need to be cooked in the oven and contain cereals containing gluten. Check the current allergen information.

Dirk

Dirk has a category covering organic bread, sandwich fillings and biscuits.

  • The category gives you a starting point for looking for organic bread when you visit a store.
  • Before choosing a loaf for your meal, check its shelf label and packaging.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify organic bread?

Check the bread’s organic certification and current label. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists the European organic certification as one way to identify organic products; words such as ‘rustic’ or ‘sourdough’ don’t, on their own, confirm that the bread is organic.

Is organic sourdough also wholemeal?

Not automatically: organic and wholemeal describe different qualities. Albert Heijn describes Liefde & Passie Biologisch OerDesem blond as a white wheat sourdough loaf. If you want wholemeal bread, check the type of bread and the ingredients list.

Does all bread contain iodised baker’s salt?

Don’t assume that it does based on the type of bread. Albert Heijn says that Liefde & Passie Biologisch OerDesem blond contains iodised salt. For other bread, read the ingredients list or ask for the product specification.

How do I prepare organic part-baked rolls for a meal?

Follow the instructions on the packaging for the rolls you’ve chosen. PLUS says that Dutch Bakery Bio Desem Pompoenbroodjes need 6–8 minutes in the oven at 220°C. Make sure you have enough oven space just before serving.

Which allergens should I check in organic bread?

Read the allergen information for the specific bread, even if it’s organic. The Albert Heijn sourdough loaf mentioned above contains wheat and gluten; Dutch Bakery Bio Desem Pompoenbroodjes at PLUS contain several cereals containing gluten and may contain mustard, sesame and lupin.