Choose sourdough crispbread if you want a crunchy product to take on the road that can be stored in a cool, dry place. If you’d rather have soft, sliced rye bread, plan how you’ll store it once opened. Whichever type you choose, compare the ingredients and allergen information: sourdough in the name doesn’t mean it contains no yeast or other grains.
If you want something to eat without a topping or immediate refrigeration, consider crispbread and check the storage advice on the packaging. Soft rye bread needs to be stored differently once opened.
If sourdough and the ingredients matter to you, look beyond the product name. The varieties reviewed differ in whether they list yeast, emulsifiers and preservatives.
Read the allergen information for the exact product. If the presence of baker’s salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients too: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, its use in bread isn’t compulsory.
A good fit if: you want a crunchy product that can be stored in a cool, dry place, according to the packaging.
Bear in mind: the Wasa variety reviewed contains yeast and an emulsifier as well as sourdough.
A good fit if: you’d rather take soft, sliced bread with you; the Hollandia variety reviewed doesn’t list yeast or preservatives.
Bear in mind: Albert Heijn recommends storing this variety sealed in the fridge once opened to keep it fresher for longer.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Storage and taking it with you | Read the storage advice, including what to do after opening, and consider whether you’ll be able to keep it cool while travelling. | I want something to eat on a car journey without having to leave an opened loaf in the car for days. For around 37% of consumers, ease of taking it with them is the most important factor. |
| Sourdough and ingredients | Check the full ingredients list for sourdough, yeast, emulsifiers and preservatives. | Sourdough alone isn’t enough for me: I want to know what else is in the product. This is the main consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
| Wholegrain rye and fibre | Compare the grains and fibre listed per 100 g, and consider the portion you’ll take with you. | When comparing rye products, I want to assess their ingredients and nutritional information rather than judge them by their name. This is a priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the allergen information and, if necessary, check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used. | I want to know which grains the product contains before setting off, rather than assume that every loaf is made with iodised salt. For around 18% of consumers, checking this is the top priority. |
A product containing sourdough may also include yeast or other ingredients. For example, PLUS lists yeast and an emulsifier in Wasa Sourdough Rye.
If you want to avoid certain ingredients, read the ingredients list for the exact variety.
Rye is a gluten-containing grain. Other grains are also listed in the rye products reviewed.
Check the allergen information and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the current packaging.
For Hollandia Dark Sourdough Rye Bread, Albert Heijn recommends storing it sealed in the fridge once opened to keep it fresher for longer.
Follow the storage advice on your own pack and, before a multi-day journey, think about what you’ll do with an opened pack.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in bread isn’t compulsory. So you can’t tell whether it’s been used just from the name rye bread.
Check the ingredients list or, if you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been used before you buy.
Hollandia Dark Sourdough Rye Bread is a soft, sliced rye loaf for anyone who prefers this texture to crispbread.
Wasa Sourdough Rye is crispbread for anyone looking for a crunchy rye product to take with them.
The Limburg rye bread and Schwarzbrot varieties reviewed show that ingredients and storage advice can differ even within one brand.
If you prefer a crunchier option, take a look at this sourdough rye crispbread. Compare it with soft rye bread based on the texture you want and the storage advice for your trip.
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For anyone who wants to take sourdough rye crispbread as a snack on the go. The pack contains 235 g; store it in a cool, dry place and check the pack for instructions on what to do after opening.
No. Sourdough in the product name doesn’t rule out yeast in the finished product. PLUS lists yeast and an emulsifier in Wasa Sourdough Rye, while Albert Heijn doesn’t list yeast or preservatives for Hollandia Dark Sourdough Rye Bread. So check the ingredients for the variety you’re buying.
No, rye is a gluten-containing grain. The Wasa and Brood van Soma varieties reviewed also list other grains; always check the allergen information for the exact product before choosing.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in bread isn’t compulsory. The Brood van Soma Limburg Wholegrain Rye Bread reviewed lists iodised salt, but check the ingredients list separately for other varieties.
Follow the advice on the packaging for the product you choose, especially once it’s opened. PLUS says to store Wasa Sourdough Rye in a cool, dry place; for Hollandia Dark Sourdough Rye Bread, Albert Heijn recommends keeping it sealed in the fridge once opened to keep it fresher for longer.
For prepacked bread, check the label. If you’re buying unpackaged bread and the allergen information isn’t already displayed with the product, ask for it before you buy.
