Which type is right for you?

If you want to make soft topped bites

Sliced sourdough rye bread makes a soft base for toppings. Product information from Albert Heijn and Jumbo shows that ingredients vary even between products of this type.

If you want to serve crunchy portions

Rye sourdough crispbread is a different type of product from soft rye bread. Add the toppings shortly before serving if keeping it crisp is important.

If you check labels for your guests

Check each pack for gluten-containing grains, any other allergens, salt and ingredients. The word ‘sourdough’ alone does not tell you what’s in the product.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want soft slices or crunchy pieces for your buffet. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information of products that suit your choice.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Texture and type Check whether the pack describes the product as soft, sliced rye bread or crunchy crispbread. If I want to make topped slices, I need a different base from the one I’d use for individual crunchy bites. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Sourdough and ingredients Check which rye product and sourdough are listed, and whether yeast or other ingredients are included. I want to know what’s in the bread besides sourdough, as the name alone doesn’t determine which ingredients I choose. Around 27% of consumers give this top priority.
Allergens and nutritional information Check the allergen information and compare salt and fibre per 100 g and for the portion you plan to serve. I need to check which grains and other allergens are listed for my guests, and how much salt a portion contains. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers.
Buying in advance Check availability, the use-by date and storage instructions after opening just before you buy. I want to buy the buffet base in advance without relying on a changing range or an unsuitable storage life. Around 20% of consumers make this their top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Treating crispbread like soft rye bread

    Both can contain rye and sourdough, but Jumbo describes Wasa Sourdough Rye as crispbread, while the Hollandia and Brood van Soma products reviewed are soft rye bread. This affects how you top and serve the bites.

    Choose the texture you want first, then compare products of the same type.

  • Assuming sourdough means there’s no yeast

    Albert Heijn lists no yeast in the Hollandia rye bread reviewed. However, the product information for the Brood van Soma and Wasa varieties reviewed lists yeast as well as sourdough.

    Read the full ingredients list on the pack if the presence of yeast or other ingredients matters to your choice.

  • Looking at fibre alone

    The product information reviewed for Wasa Sourdough Rye lists 19 g of fibre and 1.2 g of salt per 100 g, as well as allergen information. So one nutritional value doesn’t tell you everything that might matter to your guests.

    Compare nutritional values on the same basis and check the allergen information on the pack you buy.

Brands compared

Hollandia

The dark sourdough rye bread listed by Albert Heijn is a soft, sliced option for topped bites.

  • The product information lists 100% wholegrain rye, natural sourdough, no yeast and 12 thin slices.
  • The product contains rye and barley. Check the storage instructions after opening too.

Brood van Soma

The Limburg Wholegrain Rye Bread listed by Jumbo is a soft, packaged option to consider buying in advance.

  • The product information lists wholegrain rye flour and sourdough, and a shelf life of more than 10 days for the product reviewed.
  • The ingredients also include yeast, iodised salt and preservatives. The product contains rye and wheat and may contain hazelnut.

Wasa

Sourdough Rye is wholegrain rye crispbread for anyone looking for crunchy buffet portions.

  • The product information reviewed lists rye sourdough and 19 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • It isn’t soft rye bread. The ingredients also list yeast and an emulsifier; check the allergen information on the pack.

Crispbread at Joybuy

This product suits a crunchy buffet: choose it if you want to serve individual pieces of crispbread, not if you need soft slices of rye bread.

Wasa sourdough rye crispbread, 235 g pack

Wasa sourdough rye crispbread, 235 g

For crunchy, individual buffet portions instead of soft topped slices.

Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the pack for your guests.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does sourdough mean rye bread contains no yeast?

No. The word ‘sourdough’ on the label doesn’t rule out yeast. Albert Heijn lists no yeast in the Hollandia rye bread reviewed, while the product information for the Brood van Soma and Wasa products reviewed lists both sourdough and yeast.

Is sourdough rye bread gluten-free?

Rye bread made with rye is not gluten-free: rye is a grain that contains gluten. If you’re catering for guests with a relevant allergy or intolerance, always check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you buy. The varieties reviewed also list other grains or potential allergens.

How should I store the buffet base until serving?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. The product information reviewed advises storing Wasa crispbread in a cool, dry place; the soft Hollandia rye bread has a limited shelf life once opened. Add toppings to crispbread shortly before serving to keep it crunchy.