Choose Melba toast for small Sinterklaas treats with light toppings – not if you’re looking for a thick slice, as the Melba varieties described here are thin. If you’re serving generous or moist toppings, check whether another type of toast is explicitly described as thickly sliced and look at the dimensions of each slice. Compare wholemeal varieties by their nutritional values and ingredients, but don’t assume wholemeal toast is thicker.
You want to prepare treats in advance and hand them out. If you’re adding generous toppings, check the thickness and dimensions of the toast rather than assuming Melba toast will automatically provide a sturdy base.
You might compare fibre and salt per 100 g, for example. A wholemeal variety may be worth considering, but its nutritional values won’t tell you how thick each piece of toast is.
You’re serving guests for whom ingredients or warnings about possible cross-contamination matter. Check the current label of every product you serve.
Start with the toppings: thin Melba toast may work for small, light bites, while choosing a thick slice calls for an explicit mention of thickness or dimensions. Then check the quantity, nutritional information and ingredients.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness for generous toppings | Look for an explicit mention of slice thickness or dimensions. The term Melba toast and the pack weight alone don’t tell you whether the slices are thick. | If I want to serve generous or moist toppings, I look for a slice of toast with a clearly stated thickness. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Quantity for a group | Compare the number of pieces and how they’re divided between packs. For example, Albert Heijn lists AH Melba toast naturel as 12 packs of 6 pieces. | When serving a group, I want enough pieces to make treats without opening more packs than necessary. The right quantity is the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Nutritional value | Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, as well as the ingredients. Jumbo’s product information lists 9.7 g of fibre and 1.9 g of salt per 100 g for Van der Meulen Wholemeal Melba Toast. | When comparing the nutritional values of different types of toast, I prefer to look at figures per 100 g rather than serving sizes that vary. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and check the current label for any warnings about possible cross-contamination. The varieties reviewed list ingredients including wheat, sesame or soya. | If guests need to avoid certain allergens, I want to know what’s in the toast before making treats. This check matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
Jumbo describes Van der Meulen Melba toast as super-thin, while a Joybuy listing describes Melba toast as ultra-thin. So the product type alone doesn’t confirm that it’s thick enough for generous toppings.
If you need thick toast, check the slice thickness or dimensions, or look for a clear description on the packaging.
A heavier pack may contain more pieces of toast without making each slice thicker. Nutritional values per serving aren’t always easy to compare either, as serving sizes can vary.
Check the number of pieces and the product format separately, and compare the nutritional values of similar products per 100 g.
A Joybuy listing for Krokante Melba toast includes wheat, barley and soya in the ingredients, but also contains a general allergen statement that contradicts this.
If you’re serving guests with an allergy, use the current label as your guide and don’t serve the product while the inconsistency remains unresolved.
Toast that isn’t properly sealed can lose its crispness, aroma and flavour.
Only open what you need, seal the rest well and follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Jumbo lists Van der Meulen Melba toast in naturel, wholemeal and multigrain varieties.
AH Melba toast naturel is a 240 g multipack containing 12 packs of 6 pieces.
ALDI lists Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel in a 240 g pack.
Joybuy lists Delverde Classic Melba Toast in a 100 g pack.
Not based on the product type alone: the Melba varieties reviewed are described as super-thin or ultra-thin. If you’re adding generous toppings, look for an explicit mention of thickness or dimensions and decide whether they’ll suit the toppings you plan to use.
Store opened toast in a well-sealed container in a cool, dry, dark place. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened toast for around one month in a kitchen cupboard; follow the instructions on the packaging too, and look out for changes in smell, flavour and crispness.
Check the ingredients and any warnings about possible cross-contamination on the current label of each pack. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens must be listed on the label of prepacked foods. Don’t assume that another variety of toast has the same ingredients.
No, that doesn’t follow from the rules on baker’s salt. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may only be present in bread, bread substitutes and other bakery products through the addition of baker’s salt. If this matters to your choice, check the ingredients for the specific toast product.
