Which option is right for you?

If you’re looking for bread to serve with drinks

You want to serve bread in pieces with things like cheese, pâté or spreads. White sourdough or a baguette is an option if you value this style of serving more than choosing a wholemeal loaf.

If you’re keeping an eye on fibre

You want to serve sourdough, so you’re specifically looking for a wholemeal option. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is particularly high in fibre. Albert Heijn lists 6.5 g of fibre per 100 g for AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren.

If you need to check the ingredients

You want to know which grains and allergens the bread contains before serving it, or check which type of salt has been used. Read the latest label or ask for the product information if you’re buying unpackaged bread. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the style of bread or a wholemeal option matters more to you. Then check the ingredients and choose between bread that’s ready to serve and a bake-at-home option that fits your plans.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this important for?
Flavour and how you’ll serve it Choose between a whole loaf and a baguette, and think about how you want to serve the bread with your toppings. If I want to serve small pieces of bread alongside dips and toppings, the style of bread determines my choice. For around 33% of consumers, this drinks-party presentation comes first.
Wholemeal and fibre Look specifically for ‘wholemeal’ and compare the stated fibre content per 100 g. ‘Sourdough’ alone doesn’t tell you anything about this. I want to serve a wholemeal loaf with drinks, so I look beyond the sourdough label. Around 33% of consumers give this the highest priority.
Planning Check what your local shop has available and read the cooking instructions for bake-at-home bread. If I’m shopping just before drinks, I want to know whether the bread can go straight on the table. For around 17% of consumers, planning is the most important factor.
Ingredients and salt Read the latest ingredients and allergen information, and check separately whether iodised salt is listed. I want to be able to check what’s in the bread before sharing it, for example because of the wheat or the type of salt used. For around 17% of consumers, this information is their main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing based on the word ‘sourdough’ alone

    The label doesn’t tell you whether bread is wholemeal, gluten-free or yeast-free. For example, PLUS lists both wheat flour and yeast in its white sourdough baguette.

    Check the product name, ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the bread you’re actually buying. If wholemeal matters to you, look specifically for ‘wholemeal’.

  • Assuming every sourdough contains iodised salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the word ‘sourdough’ doesn’t guarantee that it’s included.

    Check whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed on the label. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask the baker which ingredients have been used.

  • Checking availability at the last minute

    Jumbo describes sourdough loaves that are baked in store and can’t be ordered online. Lidl says its fresh range can vary from one branch to another. Bake-at-home bread, on the other hand, needs to be prepared at home.

    Check what your local branch has available before you shop. If you choose bake-at-home bread, read the instructions in advance and make sure you have a suitable oven or air fryer.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

A useful option if you want to compare the ingredients and nutritional values of a packaged wholemeal sourdough loaf.

  • Albert Heijn lists AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren as a 600 g loaf containing 9.6% wholemeal wheat sourdough, iodised salt and 6.5 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • This bread contains wheat and gluten. Check the latest packaging for complete allergen information before buying.

Jumbo

A useful option if you want to choose a rustic sourdough loaf in store for a drinks spread.

  • Jumbo describes several sourdough options and suggests toppings such as mozzarella, salami and pâté.
  • According to Jumbo, these loaves are baked in store and can’t be ordered online. Check what your local branch has available.

Lidl

A useful option if you want to compare rustic white and wholemeal wheat sourdough.

  • Lidl lists separate white and wholemeal wheat sourdough options.
  • The fresh range can vary from one branch to another. Check the information provided with your chosen loaf for ingredients and allergens.

PLUS

A useful option if you want to compare sourdough loaves with white sourdough baguettes.

  • PLUS describes Korenlanders sourdough loaves that are freshly baked every day.
  • PLUS’s white sourdough baguette lists 11% sourdough, but also contains yeast and wheat. Check the ingredients for the specific option you choose.

Dirk

A useful option if you want to look at sourdough, wholemeal bread and baguettes in the bakery section.

  • Dirk includes sourdough alongside other types of bread in its range.
  • Check the latest ingredients, allergen and nutritional information for the bread you choose.

Related products

More related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough automatically wholemeal or high in fibre?

No. ‘Sourdough’ doesn’t tell you whether the bread is made with wholemeal flour. For a wholemeal option, check the product name and ingredients. To compare fibre content, look at the nutritional information per 100 g. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal bread is particularly high in fibre.

Is sourdough gluten-free or yeast-free?

Not necessarily. According to the product information, PLUS’s white sourdough baguette contains wheat and yeast as well as sourdough. Check the ingredients and allergens for the exact loaf before serving it.

For Friday afternoon drinks, should I choose fresh bread or bake-at-home bread?

Choose bread that’s ready to serve if you don’t want to prepare it at home. Bake-at-home bread works well if you can cook it just before serving. Check local availability for fresh bread from the shop, and follow the packaging instructions for bake-at-home bread.

Does sourdough always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label to see whether iodised salt is listed, or ask if you’re buying unpackaged bread.