Looking for a sturdy accompaniment
Want to serve toppings or leftovers on something crisp, and don’t need it to be as light as a rusk? Take a look at sourdough crispbread, such as the rye varieties described by Albert Heijn and Jumbo.
Which option is right for you?
Fans of classic rusks
Is a light, crisp rusk more important to you than sourdough? Bolletje describes Echte Beschuit as light and crisp. If sourdough is still a must for you, check the details of the individual product.
Careful label-readers
Are grains, egg, potential allergens or baker’s salt important to your choice? Check the information on the specific packaging. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve light rusks or sturdy crispbread. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information of products in your chosen category.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Product type and sourdough | Check whether the product is called a rusk or crispbread, and read the ingredients if sourdough is a must. | If I’m mainly looking for a sturdy cracker to top with something or serve with leftovers, I choose the product type first. For around 46% of consumers, this sturdy sourdough option is the top priority. |
| Rusk texture and nutritional information | Compare the rusk variety and, if fibre matters to your choice, the nutritional values per 100 g. | For a light topping, I look for the light, crisp texture of a classic rusk. This rusk experience comes first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Allergens and baker’s salt | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information; check separately whether baker’s salt is listed if that matters to you. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or want to know which salt has been used, the product name alone can’t determine my choice. Around 18% of consumers give these label checks top priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming sourdough means sourdough rusks
Wasa Sourdough Rye and Leksands Sourdough Crispbread are sold as crispbread. That’s a different type of product from the rusk varieties in Albert Heijn’s range.
Check the product name before choosing: are you looking for rusks, or would a sturdy cracker be a better fit for what you want to serve?
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Assuming sourdough is gluten-free
The sourdough crispbread varieties discussed here contain gluten-containing grains. Classic Bolletje Echte Beschuit also contains wheat and rye; according to PLUS’s ingredient information, this variety also contains egg.
If you have an allergy or other dietary restriction, always check the latest ingredients and allergen warnings for the specific product.
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Assuming a product contains baker’s salt without checking
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. The term sourdough doesn’t tell you which salt a product contains.
If the use of baker’s salt matters to you, check the packaging or ask the baker about unwrapped bakery bread.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Bolletje
Echte Beschuit is a good reference for anyone looking for classic rusks rather than sourdough crispbread.
- Bolletje and PLUS describe Echte Beschuit as light and crisp.
- The published ingredients for Echte Beschuit list wheat, rye and egg. Check other Bolletje varieties separately; this information doesn’t confirm that Echte Beschuit contains sourdough.
Wasa
Sourdough Rye is a crispbread variety for anyone specifically looking for a crunchy rye product made with sourdough.
- Albert Heijn describes this variety as crispbread made with wholegrain rye and rye sourdough.
- It isn’t a light rusk. If you have an allergy, check the latest packaging, including warnings about possible traces.
Leksands
Sourdough Crispbread is another rye cracker to consider if you’re thinking of serving crispbread alongside a meal.
- PLUS lists the variety discussed here as 100% wholegrain.
- The variety described contains gluten-containing grains and isn’t a like-for-like alternative to classic rusks.
Rusks and crispbread at Joybuy
These products offer two options for a crisp accompaniment to your Sunday roast: sourdough crispbread if you’re looking for a rye cracker, or wholemeal rusks if you’d rather serve rusks. Compare the product types before looking at the individual varieties.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye, 235 g
A good choice if you’d rather serve crispbread made with rye sourdough than light rusks with your meal.
Albert Heijn describes Wasa Sourdough Rye as crispbread made with wholegrain rye and rye sourdough. Check the latest allergen information on the packaging.
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Bolletje dark wholemeal rusks, 10 pieces
For anyone who’d rather serve rusks than sourdough crispbread.
This is the dark wholemeal variety, with 10 pieces. Check the ingredients if sourdough or a particular allergen is a deciding factor for you.
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Bolletje wholemeal rusks, 13 pieces
Another rusk option if you don’t want rye crispbread with your meal.
This wholemeal variety contains 13 pieces. Check the latest packaging for ingredients and allergens, and check separately for sourdough if that’s a must for you.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough crispbread the same as a rusk?
No. Albert Heijn and Jumbo sell the Wasa and Leksands varieties discussed here as crispbread, while Bolletje Echte Beschuit is sold as rusks. First decide which type of product you’d like with your toppings or meal.
Is sourdough crispbread gluten-free?
Not necessarily: the Wasa and Leksands varieties discussed here contain gluten-containing grains. The term sourdough is no substitute for checking the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Does every Dutch baker use baker’s salt?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. If you want to know whether a particular product contains it, check the packaging or ask the baker about unwrapped bakery bread.
Where can I find allergen information for rusks or crispbread?
For a prepacked product, read the latest label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must appear on the label of prepacked products. Also check for warnings about possible traces if these are relevant to you.