Buffet managers with a sourdough theme
They want to be able to explain clearly what the croissants contain. Listing sourdough as an ingredient is not the same as proving that a croissant was leavened exclusively with sourdough.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Kitchens with short baking windows
They want to replenish the buffet in small batches during the breakfast rush. Whether that’s practical with a particular product depends on its preparation instructions and the oven space available.
Hotels providing allergen information
They need up-to-date information for each product when croissants are offered unpackaged, so guests can check which allergens are present before choosing.
What should you look for when buying?
First decide how you want to describe the croissant. Then compare preparation times and make sure the information you give guests matches the product actually served at the buffet.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Sourdough claim | Check the ingredients. If you want to claim the croissants are leavened exclusively with sourdough or are artisan-made, ask for a product specification. | If the buffet has a sourdough theme, I want to be able to explain exactly what that description means. Around 38% of consumers give a well-supported description of sourdough the highest priority. |
| Baking and storage | Compare the baking time, oven temperature and storage instructions on the chosen pack. | At a busy breakfast buffet, I want to be able to replenish the croissants within the available baking window. For around 31% of consumers, kitchen logistics come first. |
| Ingredient information | Check the allergens for the pack delivered and separately check whether iodised salt is listed. | When croissants are offered unpackaged, I want to give guests accurate product information before they choose. This is the main concern for around 31% of consumers. |
Common pitfalls
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Assuming a sourdough ingredient means the croissants are leavened exclusively with sourdough
The ingredient lists for the Albert Heijn and PLUS croissants described here name yeast as well as sourdough. The sourdough listing alone does not support a stronger claim about the leavening method or artisan production.
Use the description ‘made with sourdough’ only if it matches the current packaging. Ask the supplier for documentation before making a more specific claim.
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Leaving allergen checks until the croissants are at the buffet
Allergen information must be available to guests when croissants are offered unpackaged. The products described list wheat and milk, among other ingredients; other allergens vary by product.
Check the packaging you receive and keep allergen information up to date for each buffet product. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that, for unpackaged products, this information must be provided in a way other than through consumer packaging.
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Assuming every croissant contains iodised baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. The iodised salt listed for the Albert Heijn and PLUS products described here therefore tells you nothing about other croissants.
If the type of salt used matters for your product information, check the current ingredients list for the specific product.
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Planning around a frozen product without checking the storage instructions
Délifrance product information says to bake from frozen and specifies that once a product has been defrosted, it must not be refrozen.
Plan preparation for each breakfast service and follow the instructions on the pack you receive.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn says its AH Butter Croissants are part-baked and come in packs of four, weighing 45 g each. The ingredients list includes wheat and spelt sourdough, yeast and iodised salt.
- Albert Heijn gives a baking time of 4–6 minutes at 200 °C, making it easy to compare the preparation time with your buffet schedule.
- The listing of yeast alongside sourdough does not support a claim that these croissants are leavened exclusively with sourdough. The product information lists wheat, gluten, milk and lactose.
PLUS
PLUS describes its Butter Croissants as a 180 g pack of part-baked croissants. The ingredients list includes wheat and spelt sourdough, yeast and iodised salt.
- PLUS gives an oven baking time of 4–6 minutes at 200 °C, as well as instructions for using a preheated air fryer.
- The ingredients list also does not prove that these croissants are leavened exclusively with sourdough. Wheat, spelt, milk and lactose are listed.
Délifrance
The Délifrance Butter Croissants described here are frozen and come in packs of six. According to the product information, they should be baked from frozen for around 18 minutes at 185 °C.
- The baking and storage instructions give you a basis for planning preparation around your available freezer and oven capacity.
- Sourdough is not listed in the ingredients shown. This product therefore does not support a sourdough description for the buffet; the product information lists wheat, milk and egg, among other ingredients.
Croissants at Joybuy
This pack of four croissants can be a starting point when buying for a hotel breakfast. Before describing them as sourdough or serving them at the buffet, check the current ingredients and preparation instructions for the product delivered.
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g'woon Butter Croissants, 4 pieces (180 g)
If you want to buy croissants in packs of four for your breakfast buffet, you can compare this 180 g pack with the quantity needed for each baking batch.
Check the current packaging to see whether sourdough is listed, how the croissants should be prepared and which allergens are declared for this product. Do not claim they are leavened exclusively with sourdough without an additional product specification.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘made with sourdough’ mean a croissant is leavened entirely with sourdough?
No. The ingredient lists for the butter croissants from Albert Heijn and PLUS described here name both sourdough and yeast. Ask for a product specification before claiming that the buffet croissants are leavened exclusively with sourdough or are artisan-made.
Does a hotel have to provide allergen information for unpackaged croissants at the buffet?
Yes. Guests must be able to get information about the allergens present. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that, for unpackaged products, this information must be provided in a way other than through consumer packaging. Make sure the information relates to the product actually being served.
Do croissants in the Netherlands always contain iodised salt?
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. The Albert Heijn and PLUS products described here list iodised salt, but check the current ingredients list for every other croissant.
Can a defrosted frozen croissant be refrozen?
Not in the case of the Délifrance product described here: its product information says not to refreeze once defrosted. For another product, follow the instructions on the pack you receive.