Choose a light wholemeal rye bread if you’re looking for a milder flavour to serve with drinks; opt for Frisian wholemeal rye bread if you want a more robust rye base. Check the number of slices, ingredients and storage instructions for both. The term ‘medium sliced’ does not, on its own, indicate a specific slice thickness.
Pre-sliced rye bread saves you the effort of cutting it yourself. As well as checking the pack weight, look at the number of slices: the packs of Bolletje Licht Volkoren and Bolletje Fries described by Jumbo each contain nine slices per 500 g.
Bolletje Licht Volkoren, as described by Jumbo, contains both wholemeal rye and wholemeal wheat. The product description calls it lighter in flavour and colour, which may suit you if you don’t want a distinctly dark rye base.
Check the ingredients, allergens, fibre and salt on the packaging. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye and wheat contain gluten; you can also check the label to see whether baker’s salt has been used.
Think about how you’d like to serve the rye bread with Friday afternoon drinks and what kind of flavour you’re after. Then compare the nutritional information and check the label for guests with specific dietary requirements.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Slices and portions | Compare the number of slices and, where stated, the weight per slice; don’t rely on ‘medium sliced’ alone. | If I’m making several topped bites, I want to know how many slices I’ll have to share out. Portion planning is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Flavour and texture | Check whether it’s light wholemeal, Frisian wholemeal or a wheat-and-rye variety. | When I’m catering for a mixed group, I look for a flavour that suits my toppings and guests. Around 30% of consumers give this choice the highest priority. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Read the ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g, rather than judging by the colour or product name alone. | If I want to serve wholemeal rye bread, I want to compare what’s in the different varieties. This nutritional information is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Labelling and storage | Check allergens, salt, whether baker’s salt has been used, and the storage instructions after opening. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to read the label before adding toppings. This is the main priority for around 10% of consumers. |
‘Sliced’ doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. Even packs of the same weight can contain different numbers of slices.
Check the number of slices and, if stated, the weight per slice before planning your nibbles.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye contains gluten. The light and Frisian Bolletje varieties reviewed also contain wheat.
Read the ingredients and allergen information. If you need to eat gluten-free, choose only a product clearly labelled as gluten-free.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it has been added just from the product category.
Check the ingredients list or, for unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been used.
For the sliced Bolletje varieties reviewed, the advice is to store opened bread in a sealed container in the fridge.
Follow the instructions on the pack you buy, and seal any leftover slices again after serving.
Albert Heijn describes a 500 g pack of its own-brand sliced rye bread as suitable for occasions such as a sharing board.
Jumbo describes Bolletje light wholemeal and Frisian rye bread, as well as an own-brand wheat-and-rye variety.
Lidl describes 500 g packs of rye bread in wholemeal and Westphalian varieties.
These rye bread products could be a starting point for topped bites to serve with drinks. Pay particular attention to the product format: for one variety, it’s unclear whether it needs baking; for the other, it’s unclear whether it’s rolls or slices.
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If you’re planning to make topped bites, check whether this rye bread needs baking before serving.
Also check the pack for slice thickness, allergens and storage instructions.
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If you’re looking for slices for a sharing board, check whether this variety really contains sliced bread: the product descriptions contradict each other about its format.
Also check the allergen information on the pack before serving it to guests.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye is a gluten-containing grain; the Bolletje varieties reviewed also contain wheat. If you need a gluten-free option, check that the specific product is explicitly labelled as gluten-free.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. For packaged rye bread, check the ingredients list; for unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been used.
Follow the storage instructions on the pack you buy. For the Bolletje varieties reviewed, the advice is to store the bread in a sealed container in the fridge after opening.
Start by checking the number of slices per pack, then decide whether you’ll serve each slice whole or cut into smaller topped pieces. The packs of Bolletje Licht Volkoren and Bolletje Fries described by Jumbo each contain nine slices per 500 g; check the number of slices in the variety you buy.
