If you want to serve slices alongside the main course
Look for compact, sliced rye bread that can be served at the table in thin slices. Hollandia dark sourdough rye bread is one example; according to Albert Heijn, it’s made with 100% wholemeal rye.
Which type of bread is right for you?
If you want to slice and share bread at the table
Look for a larger loaf with a firmer texture. With rye and wheat sourdough bread, check which grains, seeds and flavourings it contains, as these can vary from product to product.
If you need to check the label carefully
Check the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen bread, and look for iodised salt if needed. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking isn’t compulsory.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve slices, a loaf to share or a crunchy snack. Then compare the grains, whether sourdough is used and the label for the specific product.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Shape and texture | Check whether you’re buying sliced rye bread, a loaf to slice yourself or crispbread. | If I’m serving bread alongside the roast, I want to know whether it’s in slices or crunchy bites. Around 36% of consumers prioritise how it’s served. |
| Rye and sourdough | Check which grains and type of sourdough are listed in the ingredients; also look for wheat or yeast. | If you’re looking for a distinctive rye or sourdough option, don’t rely on the product name alone. Around 36% of consumers prioritise the ingredients. |
| Label information | Check the current allergen information and salt content. Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt if it matters to your choice. | If I need to account for allergens or check whether the salt is iodised, I need to be able to read the label for that particular bread. This information is the top priority for around 28% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
-
Assuming sourdough means the bread is made with rye alone
Bread made with rye sourdough can also contain wheat, yeast, malt or seeds. So the term ‘sourdough’ doesn’t tell you which grains the bread contains.
Compare the full ingredients list and the percentages shown if the grain content matters to you.
-
Choosing crispbread when you’re expecting soft slices
Rye crispbread is crunchy, so it has a different texture alongside a roast from compact rye bread or a loaf you can slice at the table.
Choose crispbread for a separate topped snack; look for sliced rye bread if you want slices alongside the main course.
-
Assuming all rye bread contains iodised baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in bread isn’t compulsory. So the type of bread or the use of sourdough doesn’t tell you which salt has been used.
Check the current label for baker’s salt or iodised salt. If you’re buying unwrapped bread, ask the baker if needed.
-
Assuming an online listing means it’s in stock in store
A product listing doesn’t automatically mean the same option is available at the store where you shop. Lidl, for example, lists its rye bread as an in-store product.
Check the option, ingredients and availability with the retailer shortly before you buy.
Brands and retailers to consider
Albert Heijn
Lists products including Hollandia dark sourdough rye bread and AH Liefde & Passie OerDesem zonne rogge.
- According to the product information, the Hollandia option contains 100% wholemeal rye; AH OerDesem bread combines rye and wheat.
- Don’t treat these breads as interchangeable: compare their ingredients and allergen information separately.
Jumbo
Lists products including rye and wheat sourdough bread and Wasa rye sourdough crispbread.
- For Brood van Soma Wholemeal Rye and Wheat Bread, Jumbo lists the percentages of rye and sourdough in the ingredients.
- Jumbo says its freshly baked sourdough breads from the in-store bakery can’t be ordered online.
Lidl
Lists 500 g wholemeal and Westphalian rye bread options for in-store purchase.
- The options and pack size listed give you a starting point when choosing in store.
- Check the packaging to see whether your chosen option contains sourdough and which ingredients and allergens are listed.
ALDI
Lists FINEST BAKERY Rye Bread, 500 g.
- The product name and pack size make the option easy to identify.
- Check the packaging before choosing this option for a particular grain content or sourdough.
PLUS
Has a rye bread category and lists Wasa Sourdough Rye as crispbread.
- Ingredients and allergen information are listed for the Wasa option, so you can compare it with what you’re looking for.
- Crispbread is crunchy and isn’t a direct substitute for slices of soft rye bread.
Dirk
Lists regular rye bread and Wasa rye sourdough crispbread.
- The listings help you tell regular bread apart from crispbread.
- Check the ingredients for each regular rye bread if sourdough or iodised salt is one of your buying criteria.
Rye bread and crispbread at Joybuy
These products suit two different ways of serving bread: individual portions of rye bread with your meal, and crunchy rye crispbread as a separate snack. If you’re looking for a particular texture, don’t choose based on the sourdough claim alone.
Image unavailable
TastyBasics rye bread, 9 pieces
An option if you’d like to serve individual portions of rye bread with your meal. The product name says it contains nine pieces; check the ingredients and texture if sourdough or soft slices matter to you.
Image unavailable
Wasa rye sourdough crispbread, 235 g
A crunchy option for a separate topped snack, rather than soft slices alongside your roast. PLUS lists this Wasa option as 100% wholemeal rye; check the packaging for the latest ingredients and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Does rye bread have to contain sourdough to go with a Sunday roast?
No, sourdough isn’t essential for this meal. First decide whether you want to serve slices, a loaf to share or crispbread. Then check the ingredients list if sourdough is a personal preference.
Does rye sourdough mean the bread contains no yeast?
No, a product made with rye sourdough can also contain yeast. Read the full ingredients list if the use of yeast matters to your choice.
Does all rye bread in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. Check the label for the specific product to see whether it lists baker’s salt or iodised salt.
Is rye sourdough bread gluten-free?
No, rye is a gluten-containing grain. Also check the ingredients list for wheat or barley, and read the allergen information on the packaging.
Should you store soft rye bread in the same way as crispbread?
No, follow the storage instructions for your chosen product. Albert Heijn recommends keeping Hollandia dark sourdough rye bread in a sealed pack in the fridge once opened; Wasa recommends storing its crispbread in a cool, dry place.