Who are you choosing bread for?

Guests who are there for the cake

You’re looking for a little bread to go with coffee and cake, not necessarily a loaf for everyday lunches. For example, PLUS sells a white sourdough baguette that you can bake at home.

Everyday bread eaters

You’d like to serve the same bread with everyday meals too, so you’re looking at the type of grain and the fibre content. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is high in dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Planners

You want to be able to keep bread for a planned coffee break or use it in portions. If so, check the product format and storage instructions, as these can vary for fresh, part-baked and frozen bread.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the bread is just for serving with coffee and cake or whether you also want it for other meals. Then check how it needs to be prepared and read the information on the packaging.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this relevant to?
Bread to serve with cake Check whether the bread is white, brown or wholemeal; the word sourdough doesn’t tell you which type of grain has been used. If cake is the main event, I’d serve no more than a small piece of bread alongside it. For around 31% of consumers, the style of bread would be the first thing to consider.
Using it for other meals Check the ingredients and compare the fibre per 100 g across products with the same preparation status. I’d also use the bread for breakfast or lunch, so I’d look at the type of grain and the nutritional information. Everyday use would be the priority for around 31% of consumers.
Preparation and storage Check whether the bread is ready to eat or needs baking, and read the storage and preparation instructions. For a planned coffee break, I’d want to know when the bread will be ready and what to do with any leftovers; around 23% of consumers would see this as the most important factor.
Ingredients and allergens Read the allergen information and check the salt per 100 g or whether it contains bakers’ salt or iodised salt, if this matters to you. If I need to avoid a particular ingredient, the information on the packaging matters more than the style of bread. Checking the label would be the main consideration for around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means wholemeal

    Sourdough describes how the bread is made, not necessarily the type of grain used. This means white and wholemeal sourdough breads can have different nutritional values.

    If you want wholemeal bread, look for that description specifically and check the ingredients list.

  • Expecting all sourdough bread to contain iodised salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers’ salt is iodised, but bakers aren’t required to use it.

    If this matters for your purchase, check the ingredients list for bakers’ salt or iodised salt.

  • Assuming fresh in-store bread is available to order online

    Jumbo says that its sourdough breads baked in store aren’t available to order online. This could matter if you want to plan ahead for a visit.

    Check the ordering or in-store information for the bread you want to buy.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a plan for the leftovers

    If you only get through part of the loaf during your coffee break, you’ll need to store the rest properly.

    Choose a size that suits the occasion, or freeze portions of bread according to the storage instructions. For part-baked or frozen products, follow the instructions on the packaging.

    Bread left for too long can dry out or go off.

Brands to explore

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists several AH Liefde & Passie OerDesem varieties, including breads made with rye, pumpkin or spelt and buckwheat.

  • The range includes several sourdough varieties and frozen options.
  • Some varieties are only available in store, so check each product individually.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a range of breads baked in store, including wholemeal pumpkin and white spelt sourdough.

  • Jumbo says these breads are proved for more than 24 hours using fresh sourdough.
  • According to Jumbo, these breads baked in store aren’t available to order online.

Lidl

Lidl lists a rustic wholemeal wheat sourdough bread in its fresh-from-the-oven range.

  • The product name makes it clear that this is wholemeal wheat sourdough bread.
  • For ingredients and allergen information, check the latest product details and Lidl’s listings.

PLUS

PLUS lists both a white baguette made with sourdough and a small brown multigrain sourdough loaf.

  • The product information includes details such as ingredients and, for the bake-at-home baguette, preparation instructions.
  • The brown multigrain sourdough bread contains several gluten-containing grains and soya; check the packaging if you have relevant allergies.

Dirk

Dirk includes sourdough among the other types of bread in its bread category.

  • The bread category is a good place to start looking for sourdough.
  • Check the individual product or in-store information for details of the specific sourdough variety and its ingredients.

ALDI

Through Bakkersgoud, ALDI lists rustic bread options at stores with an in-store bakery.

  • The range includes options such as rustic white, spelt and multiseed bread.
  • Rustic doesn’t automatically mean sourdough, so check the label if you’re specifically looking for sourdough bread.

Bread option on Joybuy

This white baguette could be served alongside coffee and cake. If you’re specifically looking for sourdough, check the current product packaging for a mention of sourdough.

G'woon White Rustic Baguette, 250 g

G'woon White Rustic Baguette, 250 g

A 250 g white baguette for anyone who’d also like to serve bread alongside cake. Check the packaging to see whether it contains sourdough, which allergens are listed and whether it needs baking.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough bread always wholemeal?

No, the word sourdough doesn’t automatically mean that the bread is wholemeal. If the type of grain matters to you, check the product name and ingredients list.

Does Dutch sourdough bread always contain iodised bakers’ salt?

No, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use bakers’ salt. Check the ingredients list for bakers’ salt or iodised salt, or ask your baker.

How should I store opened wholemeal sourdough bread?

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that opened wholemeal sourdough bread keeps for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer. If you want to freeze it in portions, it’s best to do so soon after buying it, and to follow the instructions on the packaging too.

Can I serve bake-at-home sourdough bread with coffee and cake?

Yes, as long as you have the time and equipment to bake it before serving. PLUS says its white sourdough baguette takes 8 to 10 minutes in an oven at 220 °C or 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 200 °C. For other breads, follow the instructions on the packaging.