Shoppers looking for a wholemeal base
You’re after the shape of a kaiser roll, but want to know whether its base is genuinely wholemeal and how much fibre the product contains. Seeds on the crust don’t tell you either of those things.
Choose a seeded kaiser roll if you’re mainly after the flavour and texture of the seeds. If you also want a wholemeal base, check that the roll you choose is specifically labelled as wholemeal: seeds alone don’t tell you anything about that. Compare the nutritional information and check for any allergens relevant to you before buying.
You’re after the shape of a kaiser roll, but want to know whether its base is genuinely wholemeal and how much fibre the product contains. Seeds on the crust don’t tell you either of those things.
You’re choosing mainly for flavour and texture. If the kaiser shape matters less to you, you could also look at another type of seeded bread, as long as you check the product description.
Before buying, you want to check which gluten-containing cereals, sesame or other allergens relevant to you are listed in the product information. This is important for unpackaged rolls too.
First decide whether you’re looking for a wholemeal base, a seeded texture or a classic kaiser roll. Then check the specific product’s ingredients, allergen information and preparation instructions.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the ‘wholemeal’ label on the product you choose and compare the fibre per 100 g or per roll. | If you want to combine seeds with a wholemeal base, don’t judge by the look of the crust. For around 36% of consumers, choosing wholemeal and fibre is the top priority. |
| Allergens | Read the label or, for unpackaged rolls, ask for information about the allergens relevant to you before buying. | If you need to avoid certain ingredients, you’ll want to know what’s in that particular roll, even if you can’t see any seeds. Checking allergens is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Seeds and bread shape | Check the ingredients and product description: a multiseed baguette isn’t a kaiser roll, and ‘multiseed’ doesn’t automatically mean ‘wholemeal’. | If you’re mainly after the taste of seeds and kernels, you could consider a different bread shape if it also suits your shopping needs. For around 21% of consumers, flavour and texture are the deciding factors. |
| Preparation and availability | Check whether the roll is fresh, frozen or ready to bake, and look at the instructions and range at the shop you’ve chosen. | If you want to eat the rolls straight away or bake them later, that will determine which product you choose. For around 14% of consumers, practical use comes first. |
Bread with seeds can still have a white base. PLUS, for example, describes its multiseed baguette as white sourdough bread; and a baguette isn’t a kaiser roll.
Check the product description and, if fibre matters to you, compare the fibre content of the products you’re considering.
A roll with no visible seeds can still have relevant allergen information. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must be on the label of pre-packed products.
Read the information for the specific product. If the roll is unpackaged, ask about any allergens you need to avoid before buying.
A listing for a kaiser roll doesn’t mean that the specific seeded version you want will be on the shelf at every branch.
Check the range at your chosen shop shortly before you go shopping, especially if both the bread shape and ingredients matter to you.
PLUS lists iodised salt in its white kaiser rolls. That tells you nothing about the ingredients of another roll or how much iodine each one contains.
Check the ingredients list for the product you choose, or ask for the product specification if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
A useful place to start if you’re specifically looking for a wholemeal kaiser roll.
Worth considering if you want to compare different types of bread in the kaiser roll category.
An option to explore if you’re looking for an individual kaiser roll in store.
Worth considering if you want to weigh up a white kaiser roll against another type of seeded bread.
Useful for distinguishing between a white kaiser roll and a separate multiseed bread.
A useful place to start if you’re looking for kaiser rolls to bake at home.
No. Check whether the specific roll is labelled as wholemeal. Seeds can also be found in bread with a white base; PLUS’s multiseed baguette, for example, is described as white sourdough bread and isn’t a kaiser roll either.
Read the label on a packaged roll, and ask for allergen information before buying an unpackaged one. Check which cereals and whether sesame are listed, as well as any other allergens or warnings relevant to you. Don’t rely on the picture or crust alone.
You can’t assume that every kaiser roll does. PLUS lists iodised salt in its white kaiser rolls; for another product, check the ingredients list or ask for the product specification if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
Follow the storage and preparation instructions on the pack you choose. Also check that the part-baked roll actually contains seeds and, if that’s what you’re looking for, is specifically labelled as wholemeal.