If you’re looking for a celebratory extra
You want to serve something with a different flavour and appearance alongside the usual rusks. Thin or pre-sliced bread makes it easier to prepare small portions.
Who is this choice relevant for?
If you want to compare ingredients
You’re looking at the proportion of wholegrain rye, any other grains and the nutritional information per 100 g. This lets you compare options without being swayed by the word ‘premium’.
If you’re buying for several guests
You want to know how many slices are in a pack and how to store the bread once opened, so you can work out how many packs you’ll need for serving.
What should you look for in rye bread?
First decide what role the rye bread will play alongside the rusks: a distinctive flavour, a particular ingredient profile or easy-to-serve portions. Then compare the packaging of the options that meet your needs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and presentation | Compare Frisian rye bread with a dark sourdough option, and check whether the slices are thin or substantial. | If I’m serving rye bread alongside sweet aniseed sprinkles, I want to choose a contrasting flavour and a suitable presentation. For around 36% of consumers, flavour and appearance come first. |
| Wholegrain rye and ingredients | Check the stated proportion of wholegrain rye and whether the bread also contains wheat or barley; compare the fibre content per 100 g. | When the grain composition determines my choice, I want to know exactly what’s in the bread. Around 29% of consumers give these ingredients top priority. |
| Portions and storage | Check the number of slices, how the bread is cut and the storage instructions for an opened pack. | When serving several guests, I want to prepare portions without opening more packs than necessary. Ease of serving matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Pack size and availability | Compare the pack weight and number of slices, and check which option is available at your usual shop. | If I’m buying for a larger gathering, I need to choose a pack size that suits the number of guests. Practicality when shopping is the deciding factor for around 14% of consumers. |
Things to watch out for when buying and serving
-
Assuming ‘premium’ is a standard product feature
The label doesn’t tell you whether a rye bread is made with wholegrain rye or sourdough, or whether it’s cut in a way that suits your table.
First decide which feature matters to you, then compare the ingredients list and packaging of the individual products.
-
Assuming all rye bread contains iodised salt
Whether iodised salt is used varies from product to product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre discusses bread made with iodised baker’s salt, but that information doesn’t tell you what’s in a specific pack.
For packaged rye bread, check the ingredients list. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask the baker which salt has been used.
-
Opening more packs than you’ll serve
If a product has storage instructions for after opening, you’ll also need to think about what’s left after your guests have gone.
Count the slices you’ll need in advance, and store any opened bread according to the instructions on the packaging.
-
Treating rye bread as a gluten-free option
The options mentioned from Van Dijk, Bolletje and Hollandia contain rye, and some also contain wheat or barley.
Have the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen product to hand when serving.
Brands to compare
Flavour, grain composition and how the bread is cut vary between these brands. So compare the specific option you’re planning to serve.
Hollandia
Dark sourdough rye bread for anyone looking to serve a distinctive rye option alongside rusks.
- Albert Heijn lists the dark sourdough option as 100% wholegrain rye, with barley malt and twelve thin slices.
- Its distinctive flavour is quite different from that of rusks. Also check the allergen information for rye and barley.
Bolletje
Pre-sliced Frisian rye bread for anyone who wants to compare grain composition and nutritional information.
- Jumbo lists Bolletje Roggebrood Fries as containing 56% wholegrain cracked rye and 9.1 g of fibre per 100 g.
- This option also contains wheat bran and wheat flour. Once opened, follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Van Dijk
Frisian rye bread for anyone who wants to know in advance how many substantial slices come in a pack.
- Jumbo lists Van Dijk’s Ambachtelijk Fries Roggebrood as containing ten slices in a 500 g pack.
- As well as rye, this option contains wheat and preservatives. Read the label if those ingredients are important to your choice.
Brood van Soma
A range of rye and wheat-and-rye options for anyone comparing bread styles and pack sizes.
- PLUS stocks options including Brabant-style and Frisian rye bread, as well as an Oberländer wheat-and-rye option.
- Ingredients vary between options. Don’t choose on the brand name alone; read the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific pack.
Rye option on Joybuy
This product has been selected as an option to serve alongside rusks with aniseed sprinkles. Check the shape of the bread before deciding how you’d like to serve it.
Image unavailable
Bolletje Rye Bread Bun, 500 g
Consider this product if its shape suits the portions you want to serve alongside rusks. The product name states 500 g and describes it as a bun; check whether the pack contains rolls or sliced bread, and read the ingredients and allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Can rye bread replace rusks with aniseed sprinkles?
Rye bread doesn’t have the same flavour or texture as rusks, so it’s better served as an extra if you’d like to offer your guests another type of bread. Look for thin or pre-sliced options if you want to make small portions.
Is rye bread always made entirely from wholegrain rye?
No, the ingredients vary between options. Albert Heijn lists Hollandia dark sourdough rye bread as 100% wholegrain rye, while Jumbo lists Bolletje Roggebrood Fries as containing 56% wholegrain cracked rye, as well as wheat ingredients. Read the ingredients list on the pack you buy.
How should I store rye bread after my visit to meet the baby?
Follow the instructions on the packaging for your chosen option. For Bolletje Roggebrood Fries, the guidance is to reseal the pack and store it in the fridge after opening. Open only as many packs as you need for serving.
Is rye bread suitable as a gluten-free option?
Don’t assume it is: the options mentioned from Van Dijk, Bolletje and Hollandia contain rye, and some also contain wheat or barley. Check the ingredients and allergen information for every pack you choose.