Which bread is right for you?

Family looking for bread to share

You want bread for a meal together and are also thinking about the type of flour. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread contains more fibre, vitamins and minerals than white bread.

Fan of rustic bread with toppings

You’re mainly looking at the crust, flavour and how the bread is served. Jumbo describes its rustic sourdough breads as loaves with a long proving time and a crisp crust.

Shopper with questions about ingredients

You want to check which allergens the bread contains and whether baker’s salt has been used before you buy. For unpackaged bread, you can ask the point of sale for allergen information.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether nutritional information, serving the bread during the procession or its ingredients are your main priority. Then check that your chosen bread will be available in time.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal and fibre Check the wholemeal description and ingredients. If you like, compare the fibre content per 100 g of loaves made in the same way. If I’m looking for bread with fibre as a priority, I don’t want to rely on the word ‘sourdough’ alone. For around 36% of shoppers, a wholemeal base is the top priority.
Crust, flavour and sharing Decide whether you want to serve a whole or sliced loaf, and check which grains or seeds it contains. When serving topped slices during the procession, I care most about how easily I can share and serve the bread. Around 29% of shoppers say this is their priority.
Allergens and baker’s salt Read the label or ask about allergens for unpackaged bread. Separately check whether baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients. If the ingredients are a deciding factor for me, I want to be able to check them before buying. This is the top priority for around 21% of shoppers.
Availability Check your local store’s range and, if needed, ask whether you can order the bread in advance. If I need bread for a particular occasion, I want to know whether I can pick it up in time. Around 14% of shoppers are most concerned about availability when they need it.

Common misconceptions

  • Assuming sourdough means wholemeal

    Sourdough tells you about the leavening agent, not whether the bread is wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread contains more fibre than white bread.

    Look for the wholemeal description and check the ingredients. You can also compare the fibre content per 100 g.

  • Assuming an artisan name means the bread contains iodine

    According to the Voedingscentrum, bread is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands because of baker’s salt. You can’t tell whether a particular loaf contains baker’s salt just from the words ‘sourdough’ or ‘artisan’.

    Check the label for baker’s salt, or ask the baker which salt was used in the bread.

  • Relying on colour or seeds to identify allergens

    A dark colour or a seeded crust doesn’t tell you which allergens are present. For example, PLUS’s wholemeal poppy seed sourdough contains wheat, rye and barley, and may also contain sesame.

    Read the allergen information for the bread you’ve chosen. If it’s unpackaged, ask about allergens before buying.

  • Assuming an online listing guarantees availability for the procession

    Jumbo says its rustic sourdough breads are only available in store. So a range listing doesn’t confirm that your local store will have the bread you want when you need it.

    Contact your chosen store in advance to check availability and ask whether you can order the bread.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has an online sourdough category, including products from the Liefde & Passie and OerDesem ranges.

  • You can browse different sourdough breads on the product pages.
  • Albert Heijn warns that ingredients, nutritional information and allergen information may change. Check the packaging when you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a rustic sourdough range that includes multiseed, wholemeal pumpkin, spelt and durum varieties.

  • The range offers different types of bread for anyone choosing by crust and flavour.
  • Jumbo says these sourdough breads are only available in store and can’t be ordered online. Ask your local store what’s available.

Lidl

Lidl features a rustic wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf for anyone looking specifically for a wholemeal option.

  • The product name clearly identifies it as both sourdough and wholemeal wheat.
  • Check the information on the specific loaf in store for its ingredients and allergens.

PLUS

PLUS provides product information for Korenlanders Kleintje wholemeal poppy seed sourdough bread.

  • The product information lists ingredients including wholemeal wheat flour, sourdough and baker’s salt.
  • This bread contains wheat, rye and barley, and may contain oats, soya, sesame and lupin. Check the packaging when you buy.

ALDI

ALDI has a bread and bakery range for shoppers looking for bread in a physical store.

  • You can browse the bread selection in store.
  • Ask your local store which sourdough breads are available and check the ingredients of the one you choose.

Dirk

Dirk stocks bread and also lists Wasa sourdough rye crispbread.

  • If you’re looking for crispbread, you can browse this as a separate type of product.
  • Crispbread isn’t a substitute for fresh, rustic sourdough bread. For that, ask what’s available at your local store.

Sourdough bread products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough bread automatically wholemeal?

No. Sourdough describes the leavening agent; wholemeal refers to the grain used. If you’re choosing wholemeal bread, look for the wholemeal description and check the ingredients list.

Does all sourdough bread contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, you can’t tell from the name of the bread. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread is an important source of iodine in the Netherlands because of baker’s salt. Check whether baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients for the specific loaf, or ask the baker.

How can I check allergens in unpackaged sourdough bread?

Before buying, ask the point of sale for allergen information about that bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that information about the 14 specified allergens must be available.

Can I order Jumbo’s rustic sourdough bread online for the procession?

Jumbo says the rustic sourdough breads mentioned are only available in store and can’t be ordered online. Contact your local store in advance to find out which breads are available and whether you can place an order.