Choose sourdough bread to enjoy with your coffee based on what matters most to you: a crust you love, wholemeal bread, minimal preparation or a clearly labelled gluten-free option. The word ‘sourdough’ alone doesn’t tell you which flour or salt has been used, nor does it provide information about allergens. Check the packaging, or ask for product information if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
If you’d like a loaf with a crisp crust to enjoy with your coffee, a sourdough loaf baked in store could be a good option. Jumbo describes the crust on its rustic sourdough range this way. Bear in mind that Jumbo says this range isn’t available to order online.
If you want your bread to be wholemeal as well as perfect for coffee time, look for the word ‘wholemeal’. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the colour of the bread or a coating of seeds is no substitute.
If you need a gluten-free option or information about other allergens, check each loaf individually. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists wheat, including spelt, rye and barley as gluten-containing grains.
First, decide which feature matters most for your coffee break. Then compare the labels and the preparation and storage instructions for the loaves that fit the bill.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and crust | Check whether the bread is baked in store, part-baked or packaged, and whether you can buy or prepare it in time. | If the crust is your main priority, how the bread is prepared matters. Around 31% of consumers put flavour and crust first. |
| Wholemeal and nutritional information | Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare fibre per 100 g. Check the ingredients if the type of salt used matters to you. | If you’re choosing bread for everyday coffee breaks, you may want to know whether it really is wholemeal. Around 31% of consumers give nutritional value top priority. |
| Preparation and portion size | Compare the size, baking time and storage or defrosting instructions. | If the bread needs to be ready at a set time, or only a few people will be eating it, preparation and size are key. This is the main concern for around 23% of consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | Read the gluten-free label and full allergen information. For unpackaged bread, ask the seller. | If you need to avoid certain ingredients, choosing a suitably labelled product comes before crust or convenience. For around 15% of consumers, gluten and other allergens are the main consideration. |
Sourdough doesn’t tell you which flour has been used. Dark bread or bread with seeds isn’t automatically wholemeal.
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre defines wholemeal bread as bread made from 100% wholemeal flour.
Wheat, spelt and rye contain gluten, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. The ingredients in Jumbo Desem Broodjes Wit list wheat flour and yeast as well as sourdough.
If you need to avoid gluten, check the gluten-free label and allergen information for each product. Read the ingredients list if the presence of yeast matters to you too.
Names such as ‘sourdough’ and ‘spelt’ don’t give you a full list of ingredients. The type of salt also varies from product to product.
For packaged bread, read the label; for unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information. Check the ingredients list for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’ if the type of salt matters to you.
Part-baked bread needs preparation, while thawed bread may have different storage instructions. This matters if you want to serve the bread at a set coffee time.
Before buying, check the baking instructions, size, and storage and defrosting guidance. For example, Albert Heijn says its gluten-free sourdough bread should be eaten on the day it’s defrosted.
Albert Heijn offers several OerDesem breads, as well as a separate sourdough bread labelled gluten-free.
Jumbo describes a rustic sourdough range baked in store and also sells packaged white sourdough rolls.
PLUS offers Korenlanders sourdough breads and products you can bake at home.
Dirk lists sourdough among its bread selection, alongside options such as wholemeal and multigrain bread.
No. Sourdough doesn’t tell you which flour has been used. Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ if you want wholemeal bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour.
No. Spelt is a type of wheat that contains gluten, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If you need to avoid gluten, look for bread clearly labelled gluten-free and check the other allergen information too.
Yes. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, sellers must also provide information about allergens in unpackaged food. Ask for this information before choosing your bread.
No. Check the ingredients list for your chosen loaf for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’. PLUS lists baker’s salt in its Korenlanders Kleintje desembrood bruin meergranen; Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in its gluten-free sourdough bread with seeds.
Check the instructions for the specific bread before deciding when to serve it. PLUS says its white sourdough baguette takes 8–10 minutes to bake; Albert Heijn says its gluten-free sourdough bread should be eaten on the day it’s defrosted.
