Christmas party hosts serving toppings
You’re looking for a thin, crisp base for cheese, salad or a spread, and want to decide whether sesame flavour will work with your toppings.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers comparing grains and fibre
You look beyond flavour and compare the listed ingredients, fibre and salt per 100 g.
Hosts checking allergens
You want to know which allergens the toast contains before serving it. As well as sesame, various grains and soya may be relevant in the products discussed.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want thin Melba toast or another type of cracker as your base. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information of products that suit your toppings and guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Base for toppings | Check whether the product is Melba toast or a cracker, and whether sesame flavour will work with your toppings. | For a Christmas drinks party with cheese or spreads, I want a crisp base that goes well with the toppings. Around 33% of consumers put this combination first. |
| Allergens | Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, paying particular attention to sesame, grains and soya. | If I’m hosting guests with allergies, I need to be able to decide which toast is suitable for them. For around 33% of consumers, this is their first concern. |
| Grains and nutritional value | Compare the listed ingredients, fibre and salt per 100 g. | I want to know how a sesame variety differs from a multigrain one, not just how they taste. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Buying and storage | Check where it’s sold and follow the storage advice on the pack. | When doing the Christmas food shop, I want to be able to buy the right toast in good time and keep it crisp. This is the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Judging by ‘seeded’ alone
The sesame and multigrain toast discussed also list other relevant allergens, including grains and soya. The front of the pack doesn’t give you the full picture.
Before serving, read the latest ingredients and allergen information for the product you’ve chosen.
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Assuming multigrain answers every nutritional question
Van der Meulen Melba Multigrain, as listed by Jumbo, contains 7.5 g of fibre and 1.5 g of salt per 100 g. The product name is no substitute for checking the nutritional information.
Compare fibre, salt and ingredients per 100 g on the packs you’re considering.
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Assuming ‘organic’ means baker’s salt is used
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the word ‘organic’ doesn’t tell you whether baker’s salt has been used in a product.
If this ingredient choice matters to your purchase, check the label.
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Planning to use crispbread as a like-for-like substitute
Crispbread is a different product from thin Melba toast. Bolletje also states that its Sesam Knäckebröd Mono isn’t available in supermarkets.
Decide which type of product you want to serve with your toppings, and check where your chosen variety is available before doing the Christmas food shop.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
AH Organic Melba Toast with Sesame Seeds is a sesame variety for anyone looking for thin toast to serve with drinks.
- Albert Heijn lists 7% sesame seeds and suggests serving the toast with party nibbles.
- The product information lists sesame, soya, barley and wheat among its allergens. Check the latest pack.
Van der Meulen
Melba Multigrain is a type of Melba toast for anyone who also wants to compare the grain ingredients and nutritional value.
- For this variety, Jumbo lists 45% wholemeal wheat flour, 3% sesame seeds and 7.5 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The same product information lists 1.5 g of salt per 100 g and allergens including oats, rye, sesame, soya and wheat.
Bolletje
Sesam Knäckebröd Mono is a type of crispbread to consider alongside classic toast for drinks.
- Bolletje lists wheat flour and 12% sesame seeds for this variety.
- It isn’t thin Melba toast; Bolletje says this single-pack version isn’t available in supermarkets.
Toast and cracker options at Joybuy
If you’re considering a thin sesame cracker for a Christmas drinks party as well as Melba toast, this is a product you can compare in terms of shape, ingredients and pack size.
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Wasa Thin Crisp Sesame, 190 g
A cracker option for anyone who wants sesame in the mix when choosing a base for drinks; this isn’t classic Melba toast.
190 g pack. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information for your guests.
Frequently asked questions
Is sesame toast suitable for someone with a sesame allergy?
No. Don’t choose toast containing sesame for someone with a sesame allergy. Check the other allergens on the latest pack too: alongside sesame, Albert Heijn lists soya, barley and wheat for its organic sesame Melba toast.
Is sesame or multigrain toast automatically gluten-free?
No. The Albert Heijn and Van der Meulen products discussed here list wheat and other relevant grains. For another product, check for an explicit gluten-free statement and the latest ingredients and allergen information rather than relying on the words ‘sesame’ or ‘multigrain’.
Does ‘organic’ mean that toast is made with baker’s salt?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the specific product’s label if you want to know whether baker’s salt is listed as an ingredient.
How should I store Melba toast until the Christmas drinks party?
Store the toast according to the instructions on the pack, and seal it well after opening. For its organic sesame Melba toast, Albert Heijn recommends storing it in a sealed tin after opening; Jumbo says to store Van der Meulen Melba Multigrain in a cool, dry place.