For Easter brunch, start by choosing bread explicitly labelled wholemeal, then check that it actually contains seeds or kernels, either in or on the loaf. A dark colour or the name ‘multigrain’ doesn’t confirm that it’s wholemeal. If you’re choosing bread for guests, check the latest ingredients and allergen information too. And if you prefer a finer slice, extra texture doesn’t have to be the deciding factor.
You want bread made from the whole grain, with seeds or kernels as well. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, a dark colour and the term ‘multigrain’ on their own don’t confirm that bread is wholemeal.
You’re looking for seeds or kernels in or on the bread, and want to serve a coarser-textured slice at Easter brunch. Albert Heijn and Jumbo describe specific wholemeal breads with seeds and kernels; check what each loaf contains.
You’re serving bread to guests who need to know what’s in it. Check the latest packaging or ask about the allergens in unpackaged bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses that sellers must inform customers about them.
First, check that the bread is wholemeal. Then compare the seeds and kernels, allergen information and the form you’d like to serve it in.
| What to look for | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Genuine wholemeal | Look for the explicit ‘wholemeal’ label on the packaging or in the product information; don’t rely on the colour or the word ‘multigrain’. | If I want to serve wholemeal bread, I need to confirm that label before looking at the seeds. For around 42% of consumers, checking that the bread is wholemeal comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the latest packaging or ask about the allergens in unpackaged bread, even if you’ve bought it before. | When I’m shopping for guests with an allergy, I want to know exactly what’s in this loaf. Around 33% of consumers give this check top priority. |
| Texture and serving | Check which seeds or kernels are listed, then choose a whole, half or sliced loaf to suit your serving plans. | For my brunch, I want a slice with visible seeds or kernels that suits the way I’m serving the bread. Texture and presentation come first for around 25% of consumers. |
Bread can contain seeds without meeting your requirements for wholemeal bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products are made from the entire grain.
Check for the ‘wholemeal’ label first, then see which seeds or kernels the bread contains.
A name won’t tell you which allergens are in a particular loaf. Albert Heijn also points out that product information, including ingredients and allergens, can change.
Check the latest packaging. For loose bread, ask about the allergen information before buying, especially if it matters to one of your guests.
Bread can go dry or stale before brunch; check it for mould before serving it, too.
Time your purchase to suit your brunch, or follow the storage and freezing advice for your chosen bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives separate storage times for a kitchen cupboard and a freezer.
Compare the description of a specific loaf with the latest information on its packaging or at the bakery counter. A bread category won’t tell you everything about every variety.
A useful place to start if you want to look at a specific seeded loaf before visiting a shop.
An option for comparing a named wholemeal bread with seeds and kernels.
Worth considering if you want to browse seeded bread at an in-store bakery.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for wholemeal bread with grains and seeds.
A place to browse wholemeal bread if you want your shopping delivered or available for collection.
A shop to explore if you want to browse wholemeal loaves in its bread range.
No. Look for the explicit ‘wholemeal’ label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain products are made from the entire grain, and packaged bread must be labelled ‘wholemeal’. Seeds, kernels and a dark colour don’t prove this on their own.
Before buying, ask about the allergens if they matter to you or your guests. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, sellers must also inform customers about allergens in unpackaged food. Don’t rely on the bread’s name alone.
You can’t tell from the words ‘wholemeal’ or the presence of seeds. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bread is an important source of iodine, but check the latest ingredients information for a specific loaf or ask at the bakery counter.
Time your purchase according to how you’ll store the bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says wholemeal bread keeps for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1–3 months in the freezer. Before serving, check for a stale smell, dryness and mould. Also follow the storage advice for your chosen product.
