Which bread is right for you?

If you’re looking for seeded wholemeal bread

You want both a wholemeal base and a noticeable seed texture for your coffee morning. The product name and ingredients matter more than the colour of the bread.

If you’re serving a variety of toppings

Consider whether a whole loaf to slice or individual rolls will work better for your guests and the sweet and savoury toppings you’re serving.

If you need to check ingredients for your guests

You’ll need to know in advance whether the bread contains ingredients such as sesame and cereals containing gluten. Check each loaf you’re considering for possible traces and other ingredients too.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide whether wholemeal flour, texture or serving style matters most for your table. Then choose an amount to suit your guests and check the ingredients of the bread you actually buy.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal base Read the product name and compare the wholemeal flour with any white flour in the ingredients list. Don’t rely on a dark colour or the name ‘multigrain’ alone. I want to choose bread for its wholemeal base, not because it looks dark. This is the top priority for an estimated 33% of consumers.
Texture and toppings Check whether the seeds are mixed through the bread or mainly on top, then choose a whole loaf or rolls to suit how you plan to serve them. If I’m putting out sweet and savoury toppings, I want the crust and seed texture to suit my guests. For an estimated 27% of consumers, texture is the deciding factor.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current allergen information and any warning about traces. For unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the bread before I buy it. This is the top priority for an estimated 20% of consumers.
Quantity and storage Choose a whole or half loaf, or individual rolls, to suit the number of guests, and follow the product’s storage instructions. For a small group, I don’t want to serve more bread than we need, and I want to be able to store any leftovers. An estimated 20% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming dark bread or visible seeds mean it’s wholemeal

    According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ describes the types of grain used; it doesn’t automatically mean the bread is wholemeal. Albert Heijn also explains that Waldkorn is a brand name.

    If you specifically want wholemeal bread, check the product name and ingredients list. For multiseed bread, look out for white flour too.

  • Checking allergens only when it’s time to serve

    Seeded bread may contain ingredients that aren’t suitable for every guest. Ingredients vary from one product to another.

    Ask your guests in good time which ingredients they need to avoid, then read the current allergen information before buying, including any statements about traces.

  • Buying a whole loaf without planning portions

    A whole loaf may be more than you need for a small group at a coffee morning.

    Consider a half loaf or rolls if they’re a better fit. If you want to store bread, divide it into portions and follow the instructions on the packaging.

  • Assuming the type of bread tells you whether it contains iodine

    A name such as ‘multiseed’ or ‘wholemeal’ doesn’t tell you which ingredients are used in a particular loaf.

    Check the ingredients information or ask the baker about the bread you want to serve.

Brands and shops compared

Albert Heijn

Its online range includes wholemeal bread and bread sold under the Waldkorn name.

  • Albert Heijn explains that Waldkorn is a brand name. If you want wholemeal bread, check the individual product.
  • The Waldkorn name alone doesn’t confirm which types of flour a product contains.

Jumbo

Offers wholemeal bread as an option to consider alongside seeded bread.

  • Jumbo lists 7,6 g of fibre per 100 g for Jumbo Fijn Volkoren.
  • Check whether the individual product contains the seeds you’re looking for.

Lidl

Its range includes a wholemeal roll with seeds and kernels, as well as an oat and spelt loaf with seeds and kernels.

  • Choosing between a roll and a loaf can help you decide how you’d like to serve it.
  • For ingredients, nutritional information and allergens, check the current packaging or ask in store.

ALDI

Describes Boeren volkoren meergranen heel as a loaf made with grains and seeds.

  • A whole loaf can be sliced to serve with a variety of toppings.
  • Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information on the packaging you buy.

PLUS

Its range includes Korenlanders Licht Meerzaden in a whole loaf, as well as wholemeal multigrain rolls.

  • For its light multiseed bread, PLUS lists ingredients including 30% wholemeal wheat flour, 22% wheat flour, sunflower seeds and linseed.
  • This particular loaf also contains sesame. If you’re choosing it for guests, check the current ingredients and allergen information.

Dirk

Describes Bakker van der Akker Boeren meerzaden heel as a brown wheat loaf with seeds.

  • A whole loaf is a good option if you want to serve slices with a variety of toppings.
  • Brown wheat bread isn’t automatically wholemeal, so check the product name and ingredients.

Bread picks at Joybuy

These two round loaves are a good fit for a table of toppings. The multigrain loaf is worth considering for its seed texture, while the wholemeal loaf is an alternative if a wholemeal base is your priority. Check the packaging of both loaves for ingredients and allergens.

Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain country loaf, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round multigrain country loaf, 550 g

For anyone who wants to slice a round loaf with a seeded texture at the coffee table. The product information lists sunflower seeds, linseed and sesame. Check the current packaging if a wholemeal base or allergens are important.

Round multigrain bread, 550 g. Allow time to defrost, bake and cool before slicing.

View at Joybuy
Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 550 g

Lekhaven Bakkerij round wholemeal country loaf, 550 g

An alternative if a wholemeal base matters more to you than a pronounced layer of seeds for your coffee morning. Check the current packaging to see which ingredients and allergens may be relevant to your guests.

Round wholemeal bread, 550 g. This loaf also needs to be defrosted, baked and cooled before slicing.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is dark multigrain or Waldkorn bread always wholemeal?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘multigrain’ refers to the types of grain used, while Albert Heijn explains that Waldkorn is a brand name. If you want wholemeal bread, check the product name and ingredients list on the loaf itself.

Which allergens should I check in seeded bread?

At the very least, check which cereals containing gluten and which seeds, including sesame if present, are in the bread you’ve chosen. Depending on the product, other ingredients or possible traces may also be relevant. So read the current packaging or ask for allergen information if the bread is unpackaged.

How can I avoid leftover bread after a coffee morning?

Choose an amount to suit the number of guests and the rest of the spread. A half loaf or individual rolls may be more practical than a whole loaf. According to the Voedingscentrum’s storage guide, wholemeal bread will usually keep for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer. Follow the instructions on the packaging too.

Can I assume that all bread with seeds contains iodine?

No. The presence of seeds doesn’t tell you which ingredients are in a particular loaf. Check the product’s ingredients information or ask the baker which ingredients have been used.