Those looking for sourdough
You want sourdough to be listed in the ingredients. Check the product description too: the sourdough products discussed here are crispbread or crackers, not classic rusks.
Who is this for?
Those serving something with coffee and cake
You’re looking for a crunchy base for fruit or a sweet topping, for example. First decide whether you want the light, round shape of a rusk or would prefer sourdough crispbread.
Those comparing grains and fibre
You want to see which grains have been used and compare fibre on a like-for-like basis, per 100 g. Check the allergen information on the pack you buy too.
What should you look for when choosing?
First choose between classic rusks and sourdough crispbread. Then compare the grains, nutritional information and serving sizes of products that suit the occasion.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this most important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Sourdough and product type | Check whether sourdough is listed in the ingredients and whether the pack says rusks, crispbread or crackers. | If I’m looking for sourdough but expect round rusks, I don’t want to discover when serving that I’ve chosen crispbread. For around 42% of consumers, this combination of ingredient and product type comes first. |
| Wholegrain, fibre and grains | Compare the grains listed and the fibre per 100 g; check whether a wholemeal flour content is specified. | I want to know whether I’m choosing rye or several grains, and compare the nutritional information on a like-for-like basis. This is the most important consideration for around 33% of consumers. |
| Texture and serving sizes | Check the product shape, number of pieces and serving size, if stated. | I want a texture that suits my topping and the occasion, without treating a thin rusk as equivalent to a larger piece of crispbread. This is the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking crispbread for rusks
A sourdough claim doesn’t mean you’ll get the light, round shape of a rusk. Crispbread and rusks differ in shape and texture.
Choose the product type before comparing flavours or nutritional values: rusks for a traditional shape, crispbread if sourdough is your priority.
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Focusing only on the word sourdough
Sourdough in an ingredients list doesn’t, by itself, prove that a product has been made using traditional methods or contains no yeast. The Wasa varieties described by Albert Heijn also list yeast.
Read the full ingredients list if the product’s composition is a deciding factor for you.
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Overlooking allergens
The sourdough crispbreads discussed here contain gluten-containing grains. Products made with several grains may also list different allergens.
Check the allergen declaration on the specific pack. If you follow a gluten-free diet, only choose products explicitly labelled as gluten-free.
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Assuming iodised baker’s salt is used
The fact that baker’s salt may be used during preparation doesn’t tell you whether it’s in a particular rusk or crispbread.
If this ingredient matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the packaged product.
Brands to consider
Wasa
Wasa makes sourdough crispbread in rye and multigrain varieties; these aren’t traditional rusks.
- Albert Heijn lists wholegrain rye, rye sourdough and 19 g of fibre per 100 g for Wasa Sourdough Rye. The Multigrain variety lists rye, wheat, oats and barley.
- Check the gluten-containing grains and other allergens on the pack for each variety.
Leksands
The Leksands variety discussed here is triangular rye crispbread with sourdough, not round rusks.
- Albert Heijn lists 85% wholegrain rye flour and 3.8% rye sourdough for Leksands Rye Crispbread Points.
- The product lists gluten-containing grains; check the allergen information on the pack.
Bolletje
Here, Bolletje is a reference for anyone who values the traditional rusk shape more than a sourdough claim.
- Albert Heijn’s rusk range includes Bolletje Echte Beschuit and Volkoren Beschuit, among others.
- Check the label of your chosen variety if sourdough is essential; the product name ‘rusk’ doesn’t confirm that ingredient.
Products for both choices
These products illustrate two options: Wasa sourdough and rye crackers, or Bolletje rusks if the rusk shape is your priority. Check the current pack for ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.
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Wasa sourdough rye crackers, 235 g
An option if sourdough and rye matter more to you than the round shape of a rusk. These are crackers, not traditional rusks.
The variety described by Albert Heijn lists wholegrain rye, rye sourdough and 19 g of fibre per 100 g. Check the allergen information on the pack.
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Bolletje wholegrain rusks, 13 pieces
For anyone looking for rusks to serve with coffee and cake, while also considering wholegrain options. The pack contains 13 pieces.
If sourdough is essential, check whether it’s listed in the ingredients on the current label. Read the allergen information too.
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Bolletje dark wholegrain rusks, 10 pieces
A rusk option if you’d like to serve a dark wholegrain variety instead of sourdough crispbread. The pack contains 10 pieces.
Check the ingredients if you’re specifically looking for sourdough, and read the allergen information on each pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough crispbread the same as classic rusks?
No. The sourdough products discussed here are crispbread or crackers, and don’t have the traditional round shape of a rusk. Check the product description if the shape matters when serving.
Does sourdough mean there’s no yeast?
No. The Wasa sourdough varieties described by Albert Heijn also list yeast. Read the full ingredients list to see which raising agents are used in a particular product.
Can I assume that rusks or crispbread contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. The product type alone doesn’t confirm whether iodised baker’s salt has been used. If this matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the specific pack.
Are these sourdough crispbreads gluten-free?
No. The Wasa and Leksands varieties discussed here list gluten-containing grains, including rye and, in some varieties, wheat or barley. If you follow a gluten-free diet, check each pack or choose another product explicitly labelled as gluten-free.
How should I store crispbread after opening?
Keep it in a dry place and seal the pack tightly to help prevent it from absorbing moisture. Wasa’s product information recommends storing it in a cool, dry place; also follow the instructions on the pack you bought.