Hosts serving small toppings
You want to serve individual bites without the base overpowering the topping. The Van der Meulen Melba Toast Sesame described by Albert Heijn is a small piece of toast; the pack contains six packets of six pieces.
Who might be interested in these products?
Fans of a pronounced seed crunch
You care more about the flavour and texture of the base than the classic shape of party toast. For the Bolletje 45% Seed Crackers described by Albert Heijn, you can also take into account the stated nutritional value of 18 g of fibre per 100 g.
Shoppers who compare labels carefully
Before buying, you want to check which allergens a specific product contains or may contain, and how much salt it has per 100 g. This is particularly relevant if sesame, cereals containing gluten or other listed allergens matter to the people you’re serving.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want small pieces of toast or a more substantial cracker as your base. Then compare the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information of the products that suit your toppings.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Small, crunchy base | Check whether it’s Melba toast or a cracker, and look at the size and individual packaging. | For small toppings, I want to make bites that are easy to serve individually, without using a large cracker as the base. Around 46% of consumers would choose a light base for toppings as their first consideration. |
| Seeds and fibre | Compare the proportion of seeds and the fibre per 100 g; also check that the size suits the topping. | If I want to taste the base clearly, I care more about the seeds and stated fibre than about having a small piece of toast. For around 27% of consumers, this would be the main reason for choosing a product. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the ingredients, allergen information, any warnings about traces and the salt content per 100 g on the exact pack. | If I need to take allergens into account or compare salt levels, I need the label to give me the information before I buy. This would be the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘with seeds’ is suitable for every allergy
Sesame is an allergen in its own right. The toast and cracker products reviewed also list ingredients such as wheat or barley; the exact ingredients and warnings vary by product.
Read the allergen information on the pack you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that allergens must be clearly listed on pre-packed foods.
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Choosing a seed cracker for bites the size of a piece of toast
The Bolletje 45% Seed Crackers described by Albert Heijn are larger than the small pieces of Melba toast. This also changes how you serve a topping.
For small bites, decide on the shape you want first; choose a larger cracker if that shape suits your serving plan.
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Assuming toast always provides iodine from baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt in baking is not compulsory. Nor can you tell which salt was used in a particular toast simply from the words ‘organic’ or ‘with seeds’.
If you want to know whether a product was made with iodised baker’s salt, check the ingredients for that specific product.
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Comparing salt levels using different measures
Albert Heijn’s product information lists 1,1 g of salt per 100 g for AH Biologisch Melba Toast with sesame seeds and 1,2 g per 100 g for Van der Meulen Melba Toast Sesame. Joybuy lists 1,75 g per 100 g for Wasa Thin Crisp Sesame.
Compare the values per 100 g first, then consider how much of each product you’ll actually serve.
Brands and product ranges to consider
Van der Meulen
Melba Toast Sesame is a small sesame toast for individually topped bites to serve with drinks.
- For this product, Albert Heijn lists 7% sesame seeds and six inner packs, each containing six pieces of toast.
- The same product information lists wheat, barley, soya and sesame, plus 1,2 g of salt per 100 g.
AH Biologisch
An organic Melba toast with sesame seeds for anyone looking for this particular product style.
- Albert Heijn lists 7% sesame seeds and the EU organic logo for this product.
- The ingredients list wheat, barley, soya and sesame; an organic certification is no substitute for checking allergens.
Bolletje
The 45% Seed Crackers reviewed are larger crackers for anyone who wants to take the seeds in the base into account.
- For this product, Albert Heijn lists 45% seeds and kernels, 18 g of fibre and 19 g of protein per 100 g.
- The product contains wheat, barley and sesame, among other ingredients; according to the product information, it may also contain egg, milk and nuts.
Wasa
Thin Crisp Sesame is a thin sesame cracker, not Melba toast.
- For this product, Joybuy lists 43% wholemeal wheat flour and 11,5% sesame seeds.
- The product information lists wheat, barley and sesame, may contain milk, and gives a salt content of 1,75 g per 100 g.
Products for a crunchy base to serve with drinks
These products are crackers and crispbreads, including a sesame option for anyone looking for a crunchy base to serve with drinks. They are not substitutes with the same small shape as Melba toast, so check the dimensions and label if that difference matters to you.
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Wasa Thin Crisp Sesame – 190 g
For anyone looking for a thin sesame cracker to top, rather than small pieces of Melba toast.
For this product, Joybuy lists 43% wholemeal wheat flour, 11,5% sesame seeds and 1,75 g of salt per 100 g. The product information lists wheat, barley and sesame; it may contain milk.
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Bolletje Sesame Bagel Crackers – 225 g
For anyone who wants to top a sesame cracker and isn’t specifically looking for the small shape of Melba toast.
Before serving, check the allergens on the exact pack, including if you need to take possible traces of other ingredients into account.
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Wasa Breakfast Biscuits Sesame – 250 g
A sesame option to consider if you’re looking for a crunchy base to top, without limiting yourself to Melba toast.
Compare the nutritional information and allergens on the pack with those of the other crackers before choosing what to serve on your platter.
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g'woon Crispbread Sesame – 5 pieces
Sesame crispbread for anyone who wants to use a cracker as a base rather than a small piece of toast.
Check that the size suits your toppings, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack.
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Pacific Soda Cracker (Sesame Flavour) – 100 g
For anyone considering a crunchy cracker to serve with toppings; check the size separately if you want to serve small bites.
If you have a sesame allergy, don’t rely on the flavour description: read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is sesame toast suitable for someone with a sesame allergy?
No, not if sesame is an ingredient. The sesame toast and crackers reviewed list sesame; always check the allergens on the exact pack before buying.
Is toast with seeds gluten-free?
Not necessarily: the Van der Meulen and AH Biologisch Melba toast and the Wasa sesame cracker reviewed all list wheat and barley. If gluten needs to be avoided, check the labelling and ingredients of the specific product.
Does toast always contain iodine from baker’s salt?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory. Check the ingredients of your chosen toast or cracker if you want to know whether iodised baker’s salt was used.
How can I keep opened toast or crackers crunchy?
Follow the storage instructions on the pack and keep opened products tightly sealed. Add moist toppings to the toast or cracker just before serving.