Which base is right for you?

For a traditional birth celebration treat

You’re looking for a familiar base for rusks with aniseed sprinkles to serve as a treat. Bolletje specifically describes rusks as part of this tradition.

For comparing sourdough and wholegrain options

You want a sourdough product, but you also look at the grains used and the fibre content separately. Albert Heijn’s product information shows that Wasa Sourdough Multigrain is a wholegrain crispbread; this doesn’t automatically apply to other sourdough products.

For careful label readers

You take ingredients, allergens and salt into account when choosing. If the type of bakers’ salt used matters to you, check each product individually: Voedingscentrum’s general information about bread doesn’t tell you which salt is used in a particular toast or rusk.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the traditional rusk shape is your priority or whether you’d prefer a sourdough alternative. Then check the nutritional information and ingredients for the product you’ve chosen.

Traditional rusks

Choose this if: you want the type of product that Bolletje associates with rusks topped with aniseed sprinkles.

Bear in mind: the word ‘rusk’ doesn’t tell you whether your chosen product is wholegrain or what type of salt it contains.

Sourdough crispbread

Choose this if: you’d prefer to serve sourdough crispbread; according to Albert Heijn, Wasa Sourdough Multigrain is a wholegrain example.

Bear in mind: crispbread isn’t a round rusk, and the grains and allergens vary by product.

Sourdough toast

Choose this if: you specifically want sourdough toast as your base; Albert Heijn lists Jos Poell Sourdough Toast as a separate product.

Bear in mind: check the ingredients and nutritional information on the pack before comparing this toast with rusks or crispbread.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Type of treat Choose between rusks and a deliberately different shape, such as sourdough toast or crispbread. I want to serve familiar rusks with aniseed sprinkles to celebrate a birth. For around 50% of consumers, the traditional rusk shape is the top priority.
Wholegrains and fibre Check which grains are used and compare fibre on the same basis, for example per 100 g. If I choose sourdough, I also want to know whether it’s wholegrain and how much fibre it contains. Around 30% of consumers say their choice of grains and fibre comes first.
Ingredients and salt Check allergens and salt per 100 g, and look for a mention of bakers’ salt or iodised salt if that matters to your choice. The ingredients and allergens need to be clear for my household before I serve anything. For around 20% of consumers, this label information, including details about salt, is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means wholegrain

    The word ‘sourdough’ alone doesn’t tell you which grains have been used or how much fibre the product contains. According to Albert Heijn, the wholegrain label for Wasa Sourdough Multigrain applies to that specific crispbread.

    If wholegrains and fibre are important to your choice, read the ingredients list and compare the nutritional information per 100 g.

  • Assuming a product contains iodine based on its name

    The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes the addition of iodine through bakers’ salt in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products. That doesn’t mean every sourdough toast or rusk contains this type of salt.

    Check the pack or ask your baker which salt was used if this is important to your choice.

  • Comparing only the base, not the portion of sprinkles

    The amount of aniseed sprinkles depends on the portion you serve. Voedingscentrum also lists the sugars in the sprinkles separately from the base.

    Check the nutritional information for both the base and the topping if you want to compare portions.

  • Trying to work out allergens from the product name

    A name such as ‘rusk’ or ‘sourdough’ doesn’t tell you which allergens the specific product contains. Bolletje lists wheat, rye and egg for Echte Beschuit; you can’t assume that another rusk product contains the same grains.

    If you’re serving others, check the current allergen information on the pack for each product you’ve chosen.

Brands to compare

Bolletje

Bolletje links rusks with aniseed sprinkles to the Dutch tradition of celebrating a birth. Echte Beschuit is one option in the traditional rusk category.

  • The rusk shape fits the usual way of serving aniseed sprinkles.
  • Bolletje lists wheat, rye and egg for Echte Beschuit. Check the ingredients again if you choose a different product.

Wasa

According to Albert Heijn’s product information, Wasa Sourdough Multigrain is a wholegrain sourdough crispbread, not a round rusk.

  • The product information specifies wholegrains, so you can assess this separately from the sourdough name.
  • The grains listed include rye, wheat, oats and barley. Check the allergen information on the exact pack.

Jos Poell

Albert Heijn lists Jos Poell Sourdough Toast for anyone specifically looking for toast made with sourdough.

  • The product name makes it clear that this is sourdough toast, an alternative to rusks.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack for this toast, rather than relying on information about a different sourdough product.

Joybuy products for this treat

These products show two options for rusks with aniseed sprinkles: sourdough crispbread as an alternative to rusks, and wholegrain rusks for anyone who wants to stick with the traditional product shape.

Wasa sourdough rye crackers, 235 g pack

Wasa sourdough rye crackers, 235 g

An option if you deliberately want to serve sourdough rye crackers instead of rusks.

235 g pack. Check the allergens and type of salt on the current pack if this information matters to your choice.

View at Joybuy
Bolletje wholegrain rusks, pack of 13

Bolletje wholegrain rusks, 13 pieces

A wholegrain rusk option for anyone who wants to serve aniseed sprinkles on rusks.

Pack of 13. Check the allergens and type of salt on the pack; information about Bolletje Echte Beschuit doesn’t automatically apply to this wholegrain product.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough toast the same as rusks for aniseed sprinkles?

No, sourdough toast and rusks are different types of product. Bolletje describes rusks with aniseed sprinkles as a rusk tradition; choose toast if you deliberately want to serve a different base.

Is a sourdough product automatically wholegrain?

No, the word ‘sourdough’ doesn’t confirm that a product is wholegrain. Check the ingredients and nutritional information for the exact product; Albert Heijn specifically identifies Wasa Sourdough Multigrain as wholegrain.

Does sourdough toast in the Netherlands always contain iodine from bakers’ salt?

No, that doesn’t follow from the Dutch rules on bakers’ salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes how iodine can be added to bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products through bakers’ salt. For a particular toast, check the pack or ask your baker which salt was used.

How do I check allergens in rusks or sourdough crispbread?

Read the allergen information on the exact pack before serving the product. Bolletje lists wheat, rye and egg for Echte Beschuit; according to Albert Heijn’s product information, Wasa Sourdough Multigrain contains rye, wheat, oats and barley, among other ingredients. Don’t assume this information applies to other products from the same brands without checking.