Which option is right for you?

If you want warm bread without much cooking

A small bake-at-home roll or tear-and-share loaf is ideal for a quick snack. Check whether the bread needs to go in the oven and how much you have to bake at once.

If wholemeal and fibre are your priorities

Choose based on the product description and nutritional information, not just words such as rustic or sourdough. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes wholegrain products from those made with white flour, based in part on their fibre content.

If you want to share bread with toppings

Sourdough or tear-and-share bread can make a great base for a late-night snack to share. Choose a suitable portion and check the allergen information for your chosen loaf if it contains mixed grains, seeds or kernels.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re looking for something warm in a hurry, a wholemeal base, a distinctive bread flavour or a suitably small portion. Then compare the packaging and preparation instructions for breads that meet your needs.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Warm bread in a hurry Check whether it needs baking and the cooking time and temperature for that product. If I want warm bread late at night, I need to know how much preparation it takes. For around 31% of consumers, a quick warm snack is the priority.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the wholemeal description and compare the fibre listed per 100 g. I’d rather choose a late-night snack based on a clearly labelled wholemeal option than on the word sourdough alone. Around 25% of consumers prioritise wholemeal bread and fibre.
Crust, crumb and flavour Check which type and variety of bread you’re buying, and whether fresh bakery bread is available when you need it. For a snack with toppings, I mainly want bread whose character suits my taste. For around 25% of consumers, flavour is their main consideration.
Portion size Check the loaf’s weight or the number of rolls, as well as the storage instructions. If I’m only having a small portion, I want to avoid having the rest of a whole loaf left over. A suitable portion size is the top priority for around 19% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough or multigrain means wholemeal

    The name of the bread alone doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal. White sourdough tear-and-share bread and wholemeal sourdough are different options.

    If wholemeal is essential for you, check the product description, ingredients and fibre per 100 g.

  • Guessing allergens from the type of bread

    Ingredients and possible traces vary between products, even when the breads have similar names. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority points out that allergens must be listed on the label.

    Read the current allergen information on the packaging before buying or serving the bread.

  • Opening a whole loaf for one small snack

    If you only eat late occasionally, you could be left with bread you won’t use in time.

    Choose a suitable size or freeze a larger loaf in portions as soon as you buy it, as recommended by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

  • Assuming the range shown online is available in store

    Jumbo says its rustic sourdough breads are only available in store. Lidl says its fresh bread range may vary by store.

    Check what’s available at the store you plan to visit before counting on a particular product.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

The OerDesem range is worth considering if you’re looking for a long-fermented sourdough loaf.

  • Albert Heijn says its Bakkersbrood OerDesem is made using a 56-hour proving process and its own natural sourdough starter.
  • Check the current ingredients, nutritional information and allergen details on the packaging for the product you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers a rustic sourdough range as well as a separately listed sourdough tear-and-share loaf.

  • Jumbo describes its rustic sourdough breads as being proved for more than 24 hours using fresh sourdough starter.
  • Jumbo says the rustic range is only available in store; check the information for the individual product.

Lidl

At Lidl, you can look for options such as rustic wholemeal sourdough and bread from the fresh bakery section.

  • Lidl describes its rustic wholemeal sourdough as a wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf.
  • Lidl says its fresh bread range varies by store.

ALDI

The Bakkersgoud range includes a rustic spelt option for anyone looking for a hearth-baked loaf.

  • ALDI describes Bakkersgoud rustic spelt as a hearth-baked loaf with oat flakes, seeds and kernels.
  • Check whether the product is available at the store you plan to visit.

PLUS

The Korenlanders range includes a small wholemeal sourdough loaf; PLUS also lists wholemeal sourdough rolls that can be baked at home.

  • The product listing describes the Korenlanders Kleintje desembrood volkoren maanzaad as a pre-baked 300 g loaf.
  • Check the allergen information for the grains used and any other allergens in this product.

Dirk

Dirk’s bread range is worth exploring if you want to compare different types of bread.

  • Dirk says its range includes wholemeal, multigrain, rye and spelt breads.
  • Check the product description and ingredients for each loaf; a category doesn’t tell you exactly what’s in a particular product.

Bread options on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough automatically wholemeal?

No. Sourdough and wholemeal don’t mean the same thing. For a wholemeal option, check the product description and ingredients, and compare the fibre per 100 g if you like.

How do I check for allergens in bread with seeds or grains?

Read the allergen information for the specific product on its current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be listed on the label, so don’t rely on the bread’s name or a picture alone.

What should I do with a large loaf if I only want one late-night snack?

Freeze the loaf in portions as soon as you buy it and take out what you need. This is also the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage advice for bread you won’t use straight away. For bake-at-home bread, follow the instructions on the packaging too.

How can I tell if bread contains iodised salt?

Check the ingredients list for the specific bread for iodised salt or baker’s salt. Don’t assume which type of salt has been used based on the words sourdough, wholemeal or rustic.