Which base is right for you?

Commuter who wants to take breakfast with them

Want to pack a dry base in your bag without buying fresh bread every day? Sourdough crispbread could be an option. If you prefer fresh bread, you’ll need to prepare it in advance or freeze portions.

Chocolate sprinkles fan who prefers a softer slice

If the texture beneath the chocolate sprinkles is your priority, sliced sourdough bread is a more natural choice than hard crispbread. Check the specific loaf’s crumb and crust, though: sourdough alone doesn’t tell you how soft a slice will be.

Shopper looking for wholemeal bread and iodised salt

Look specifically for wholemeal in the product information. If you want to know whether bread is made with iodised baker’s salt, read the ingredients list or ask the baker about unwrapped bread.

What should you look for when choosing?

Rusks, fresh sourdough bread and crispbread are different products. If you’re taking chocolate sprinkles with you, first choose between a softer slice that needs to be kept fresh and a dry, crunchy base. Then check the specific product for wholemeal ingredients, salt and allergens.

What to consider What to check Who it matters to
Taking it with you and storage Compare the storage advice for fresh bread with that for dry crispbread. Check that the packaging suits the way you plan to carry it. I don’t eat breakfast on the go every working day and want a base I can take with me without having to buy fresh bread each time. Around 42% of consumers put this convenience first.
Wholemeal ingredients and salt Look for wholemeal on the label and check which salt has been used in the bread. If bread is a regular part of my diet, I mainly want to know whether it’s wholemeal and contains iodised baker’s salt. This check is the most important factor for around 33% of consumers.
Flavour and texture Decide whether you prefer chocolate sprinkles on a softer slice or on hard, crunchy crispbread. With chocolate sprinkles, I want to choose between a soft slice of bread and extra crunch. Texture comes first for around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Looking only for the word ‘sourdough’

    Sourdough doesn’t tell you whether bread is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread contains more fibre, vitamins and minerals than white bread.

    First check whether the product is wholemeal, then choose the texture that suits your travel routine.

  • Assuming the salt is iodised

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread made with iodised baker’s salt as a source of iodine in the Netherlands. That doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in a particular sourdough loaf.

    For packaged bread, read the ingredients list. For unwrapped bread, ask the baker which salt they use.

  • Buying a whole fresh loaf for just a few days on the go

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal sourdough bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months.

    Freeze sliced portions if you won’t use the bread within a few days, or choose a base that can be stored dry.

  • Overlooking allergens in rye crispbread

    Sourdough and wholemeal don’t mean gluten-free. The rye varieties described contain cereals containing gluten; Wasa also lists possible traces of other allergens.

    Check the ingredients and allergen warning on the current packaging for the specific product.

Brands to consider

Jumbo

Supermarket offering sourdough breads prepared fresh in store, as well as sourdough crispbread.

  • Jumbo says the sourdough breads in the range described are left to rise for more than 24 hours using fresh sourdough starter.
  • Jumbo states that these breads, prepared fresh in store, aren’t available to order online. Bear this in mind if you want to order ahead.

Albert Heijn

Supermarket with the Uniek Desem bread range and information about sourdough bread.

  • Albert Heijn describes Uniek Desem as soft bread with a firm crust, which may suit you if you prefer chocolate sprinkles on a softer slice.
  • Check whether each loaf is wholemeal and which salt has been used; the name of the sourdough range doesn’t tell you either.

Leksands

A sourdough crispbread brand for anyone considering a dry rye base.

  • According to Jumbo’s product information, the variety described contains 85% wholemeal rye flour and 3,8% rye sourdough starter.
  • This variety contains cereals with gluten. Check the label if you need to avoid certain ingredients.

Wasa

A brand offering rye sourdough crispbread as a crunchy base for chocolate sprinkles.

  • The Wasa Sourdough Rye described is a wholemeal rye variety; check the packaging for its nutritional values per 100 g.
  • The variety described contains cereals with gluten and, according to Jumbo’s product information, may also contain milk, sesame and soya. Check the current label.

Joybuy products for a crunchy base

This option is suited to anyone who wants chocolate sprinkles on rye sourdough crispbread and is looking for a dry base to take with them, rather than a soft slice of bread.

Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g pack

Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers 235 g

A crunchy rye base for anyone who doesn’t want to eat chocolate sprinkles on soft bread when they’re out and about.

235 g pack. Check the current packaging for allergen information and, if it matters to you, the type of salt used.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough bread automatically wholemeal?

No. Sourdough and wholemeal describe different characteristics. Check the label to see whether a sourdough loaf is actually wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread contains more fibre, vitamins and minerals than white bread.

Does all sourdough bread in the Netherlands contain iodised salt?

Don’t assume that’s the case for a particular loaf. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes bread made with iodised baker’s salt as a source of iodine. Check the ingredients list for packaged bread, and ask the baker which salt they use for unwrapped bread.

How should I store wholemeal sourdough bread if I don’t eat breakfast on the go every day?

Freeze the bread in portions if you won’t use it within a few days. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends keeping opened wholemeal sourdough bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2 to 4 days, or in the freezer for 1 to 3 months.

Is rye sourdough crispbread gluten-free?

Not just because it’s called sourdough: the rye varieties described here contain cereals with gluten. Always check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product before buying.