Breakfast-makers choosing classic toppings
You’re looking for a crisp base for Mother’s Day, perhaps for strawberries, jam or cheese. Choose your toppings first, then decide which plain or baker’s rusks you’d like to serve.
Which choice is right for you?
Shoppers comparing options for everyday use too
You want to compare wholemeal and other rusk varieties. To do so, compare the stated fibre and salt per 100 g, and check how many rusks make up a portion for you.
Shoppers with allergen or dietary requirements
You need to know whether your chosen variety contains ingredients such as wheat, egg or sesame. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack; the words ‘wholemeal’ and ‘multiseed’ alone don’t tell you this.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide what you’d like to serve on your rusks. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information of the varieties that fit the bill. Before ordering, check the packaging and availability too.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Toppings and serving | Choose between plain, baker’s and seeded rusks; check the size and number of rusks in the pack. | For a Mother’s Day breakfast, I want to choose rusks that go well with my sweet or savoury toppings. For around 27% of consumers, this serving choice comes first. |
| Fibre and wholemeal | Compare fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g, and consider the portion size too. | If I eat rusks on ordinary days too, I want to compare wholemeal varieties on the same nutritional basis. Around 33% of consumers give this top priority. |
| Allergens and ingredients | For the exact variety, check both ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ on the packaging. | Before buying, I need to be able to tell whether a rusk is suitable for my allergen or dietary requirements. This check comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
| Packaging and availability | Check the number of rusks in the pack and current availability for your planned breakfast. | If I need rusks for a particular occasion, I want to know whether I can get enough. For around 20% of consumers, this is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Searching for ‘medium sliced’ as if rusks were sliced bread
Jumbo describes rusks as a baked rusk loaf that is sliced and baked again. When choosing between rusk varieties, terms such as wholemeal and seeded are more useful than bread-slice thickness.
Search for the type of rusk you want, then check the ingredients and packaging of the specific product.
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Assuming every rusk contains baker’s salt
You can’t tell from the product category whether a particular rusk is made with baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also points out that using baker’s salt in bread isn’t compulsory.
Check the ingredients on the pack or ask the manufacturer if the presence of baker’s salt matters to your choice.
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Assuming wholemeal or seeded means allergen-free
Ingredients vary between varieties. Product information from Bolletje, Albert Heijn and PLUS lists ingredients such as wheat, egg or sesame in various rusks.
Read the allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying, including any ‘may contain’ statements.
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Assuming that a product shown as in stock will stay available
Availability can change, so a product you viewed earlier may not necessarily be available when you place your breakfast order.
Check current availability and the number of rusks in the pack before completing your order.
Brands and own-label options compared
Bolletje
Bolletje offers classic rusks, as well as wholemeal and seeded varieties. The right option depends on your toppings and which ingredients you want to avoid or compare.
- Bolletje says its Echte Beschuit rusks are light and crisp thanks to the addition of free-range eggs.
- Echte Beschuit contains wheat and egg; check the ingredients again for other varieties.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn offers wholemeal rusks and organic wholemeal multiseed rusks, among other options.
- Albert Heijn lists 9 g of fibre and 0.48 g of salt per 100 g for AH Wholemeal Rusks; its organic multiseed variety lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g.
- According to the product information, the multiseed variety contains ingredients including sesame and egg. Check allergens for each variety individually.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers rusk varieties made with different grains, including wholemeal rusks.
- The stated type of grain can help you choose a suitable variety.
- Check the ingredients and current availability of your chosen variety before buying.
PLUS
PLUS offers wholemeal rusks with seeds, among other options, if you’re specifically looking for a variety with seeds and kernels.
- PLUS lists over 25% seeds and kernels, 10.6 g of fibre and 0.8 g of salt per 100 g for its Wholemeal Rusks with Seeds.
- According to PLUS, the same variety contains ingredients including wheat, barley, oats, egg and sesame.
Goud Gebakken (ALDI)
ALDI sells wholemeal rusks under the Goud Gebakken brand in a pack of 13.
- The variety and number of rusks are clearly stated.
- For a comparison of ingredients, allergens and nutritional value, read the label on the specific pack.
Rusk varieties on Joybuy
These products show two breakfast options: wholemeal rusks and seeded rusks. To help you choose, compare the variety, number of rusks in the pack, and information about fibre and allergens.
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Bolletje Wholemeal Rusks, 13 pieces
A wholemeal option to compare for everyday breakfasts too. Joybuy’s product information lists 11 g of fibre per 100 g; the ingredients include wheat and egg. If you have allergen requirements, check the current packaging.
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Bolletje Multiseed Rusks, 10 pieces
An option if you’re specifically looking for seeded rusks for breakfast. Joybuy lists 10 g of fibre per 100 g and names wheat and sesame as allergens; check the packaging if these are relevant to your choice.
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Bolletje Dark Wholemeal Rusks, 10 pieces
A dark wholemeal option if you’re looking for rusks for everyday breakfasts as well as Mother’s Day. The pack contains 10 rusks; check the ingredients and allergens on the current label before choosing.
Frequently asked questions
Should I look for ‘medium sliced’ when buying rusks?
No, don’t use ‘medium sliced’ as a way to choose between rusk varieties. Jumbo explains that a rusk loaf is sliced after baking and then baked again. For your breakfast, it’s better to compare the variety, ingredients and packaging.
Does every rusk contain iodine from baker’s salt?
Don’t assume this is the case for every pack of rusks. Check the ingredients or ask the manufacturer whether baker’s salt has been used; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says it isn’t compulsory in bread.
Which allergens should I check in rusks?
At the very least, check the label of the exact variety for any allergens relevant to you. Product information from Bolletje, Albert Heijn and PLUS lists ingredients such as wheat, egg and sesame in various rusks; ingredients vary from product to product.
How should I store rusks after opening?
Seal opened rusks well and follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Albert Heijn recommends keeping its wholemeal rusks in a sealed tin in a dark, dry place; PLUS recommends storing its variety in a cool, dry and dark place.
Can I assume a variety I’ve viewed will still be available later?
No, check availability when you’re ready to order. This is especially useful if you need the rusks for a planned Mother’s Day breakfast.