Look for bread whose organic status and wholemeal designation can both be verified, then check whether the slice is thick enough for your topping. ‘Batard’, ‘hearth loaf’ and ‘sliced’ don’t indicate a set slice thickness. Where possible, look at the slices and compare the nutritional information and allergens for the exact variety.
You want bread for generous toppings, such as hummus or nut butter, without assuming the slice will be thick based on the bread’s name. Look at the slices yourself, or ask for a whole loaf to be cut to your preferred thickness.
You want to be able to check both claims. The EU organic logo helps confirm organic status; also check that the bread is described as wholemeal.
You pay attention to fibre, salt, ingredients or allergens. Compare the information for the exact variety, especially if you’re considering bread with seeds or other additions.
When choosing bread for generous toppings, first decide which features matter most to you: the actual slice, the combination of organic and wholemeal, or the information on the label.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Firmness and slice thickness | For sliced bread, look at the slices. If buying a whole loaf, ask whether it can be cut to your preferred thickness. | For generous toppings, I want a slice that’s easy to top, without relying on a name such as ‘hearth loaf’. Around 40% of consumers prioritise a firm slice. |
| Organic and wholemeal | Check the organic designation and separately confirm that the product is described as wholemeal. | When I’m specifically looking for organic wholemeal bread, I want to be able to identify both claims on the product. For around 30% of consumers, this combination is the first thing they look for. |
| Nutritional information and ingredients | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety. Check the type of salt used if iodine is important to you. | For bread with seeds or a different recipe, I want to know which ingredients and allergens it contains. The information on the label matters most to around 30% of consumers. |
A brown crumb, grains on the crust or an artisan-style name don’t confirm that bread is wholemeal. Brood.net recommends checking the wholemeal designation and the ingredients.
Read the label, or ask the baker or shop assistant what type of bread it is if it’s sold loose.
The organic designation doesn’t tell you whether iodised salt has been used in the bread. The type of salt can vary between recipes.
Read the ingredients list or, if the bread is sold loose, ask which type of salt has been used.
‘Batard’, ‘hearth loaf’ and ‘sliced’ don’t describe how thick each slice is. This matters when you’re looking for bread that can hold generous toppings.
Look at the slices where possible, or ask whether a whole loaf can be cut more thickly.
Nutritional values and allergens apply to a specific product. Albert Heijn also points out that product information can change.
Check the current packaging of the exact variety you’re buying.
Albert Heijn has a product page for AH Biologisch Batard volkoren zonnepit gesneden.
Jumbo provides product details for an organic wholemeal sourdough roll.
Lidl provides information about organic products and wholemeal products.
ALDI describes an Extra vezelrijk volkorenbrood as a whole loaf.
PLUS offers several types of wholemeal bread, including wholemeal hearth loaves.
Dirk lists a whole wholemeal hearth loaf and has a category for organic bread.
Check both the organic designation and the wholemeal designation. According to Skal, the EU organic logo makes organic status recognisable; also check the label or shelf ticket to see whether the bread is wholemeal.
You can’t tell from the words ‘organic’ or ‘wholemeal’. Check the ingredients list for the type of salt used in the specific bread, or ask if it’s sold loose.
Not necessarily: the shape of the loaf doesn’t indicate a set thickness for each slice. Check whether the bread is sold whole or sliced and, where possible, look at the slices before choosing it for generous toppings.
Read the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the exact variety. Seeded breads can have different recipes; for example, the product information for AH Biologisch Batard volkoren zonnepit gesneden lists sesame, soya, barley, spelt and wheat.
