If you’re looking for a slice of rye bread that isn’t too thin for a picnic, compare the number of slices and the weight per slice rather than relying on the word ‘sliced’ alone. Van Dijk's comes in packs of 10 slices weighing around 50 g each, Bolletje Fries has 9 slices of around 55.5 g each, and Hollandia is specifically described as having 12 thin slices. Also check the ingredients and storage instructions, especially if you’re opening the pack in advance.
If you want to take rye bread along and add toppings when you get there, compare the number of slices in a pack and, if stated, the weight of each slice. A pack of thin slices is better suited to smaller bites than to anyone looking for a larger slice.
If you’re keeping an eye on grain types, fibre, salt or preservatives, check the information for the variety you choose. A dark colour doesn’t tell you which ingredients or nutritional values the rye bread contains.
If you’re buying the bread in advance, check how to store the pack after opening. That way, you can decide how much to take to the picnic and how much to keep at home.
Start with the slice size you want. Then compare the ingredients and nutritional information of the varieties that fit the bill, and check the storage advice on the pack before your picnic.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Slice size | Compare the number of slices per pack and, if stated, the weight per slice. Weight doesn’t indicate how thick a slice is. | If you want a slice you can add toppings to without it turning into a small bite, ease of handling is key. Slice size is the most important factor for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the ingredients and allergen information; compare fibre and salt on the same basis, per 100 g. | If you want to compare grain types or additives, the label is more useful than the colour of the bread. Ingredients and nutritional information matter most to around 42% of consumers. |
| Storage and leftovers | Check the instructions for storing an opened pack and decide how much to take with you. | If you’re shopping well in advance and expect to have bread left over, you’ll want to know how to store it at home. Storage is the main concern for around 25% of consumers. |
Sliced rye bread can vary considerably in the number and size of its slices. Jumbo lists Van Dijk's as 10 slices of around 50 g each and Bolletje Fries as 9 slices of around 55.5 g each; Albert Heijn describes Hollandia as having 12 thin slices.
Choose based on the portions listed and the size you want to add toppings to. The term ‘medium sliced’ doesn’t tell you the actual size of the slices.
The varieties compared differ in their grain types and ingredients. For example, Jumbo’s product information for Van Dijk's lists wheat bran and preservatives, while Albert Heijn’s product information for Hollandia mentions sourdough.
Read the current ingredients list and allergen information. To compare nutritional values, use the figures per 100 g for the specific products.
For the Bolletje and Hollandia varieties described, the advice is to reseal the pack and store it in the fridge after opening. The label on your product is the best guide for leftovers, too.
Take only as much as you expect to use and store the rest according to the pack instructions. Don’t eat bread with mould or an unusual smell.
The Dutch agreement encourages the use of iodised baker’s salt, but according to Brood.net, its use isn’t required by law. The type of bread alone therefore won’t tell you which salt is in your pack.
If this ingredient matters to you, check the ingredients list for the specific rye bread.
The sliced Frisian and lightly wholemeal rye bread varieties each have their own ingredients, so compare the pack you’re considering rather than the brand alone.
This dark sourdough rye bread is an option if you’re specifically looking for thin slices for smaller topped bites.
The Artisan Frisian Rye Bread offers a useful point of comparison if you’re looking for slices weighing around 50 g each.
Frisian rye bread whose ingredients and nutritional values you can compare with those of other Frisian rye bread varieties.
This rye bread is sold in a pack of nine pieces. Check the slice size on the product packaging against what you want to take to your picnic.
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If you’re factoring the number of pieces into your picnic plans, the product name states that there are nine. Check the slice size on the packaging if you’re specifically looking for medium-sized slices.
Compare the number of slices per pack and, if stated, the weight per slice; ‘medium sliced’ doesn’t indicate a standard slice size. For example, Jumbo lists Van Dijk's as 10 slices of around 50 g each and Bolletje Fries as 9 slices of around 55.5 g each, while Albert Heijn describes Hollandia as having 12 thin slices.
The varieties mentioned contain rye, but the other ingredients differ. Jumbo’s product information also lists wheat for Bolletje Fries and Van Dijk's; Albert Heijn lists barley for Hollandia. If you have an allergy or other dietary requirement, always check the current ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
Follow the instructions on your product’s packaging. For dark rye bread, the Voedingscentrum gives general guidance of two weeks in the fridge and one to three months in the freezer; this doesn’t replace the product-specific instructions. Don’t eat bread with mould or an unusual smell.
No, you can’t tell from the type of bread alone. The Dutch publication on the 2008 agreement describes efforts to encourage the use of iodised baker’s salt; Brood.net explains that its use isn’t required by law. If this matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the specific pack.
