If you want a soft slice
If you want a substantial slice for a late-night snack with little preparation, look for soft sourdough rye bread. If wholegrain rye matters to you, compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g.
Which type is right for you?
If you prefer a crunchy topping base
A piece of sourdough crispbread gives you a crunchy base that you can pick up and top one piece at a time. Check how to store the pack once it’s open.
If you read labels carefully
Check the ingredients, allergens and salt content for each option. Look specifically for iodised salt or baker’s salt if that information matters to your choice.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a soft slice or a crunchy crispbread. Then compare the nutritional information and ingredients of products that suit your choice.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Check whether the product is soft rye bread or crispbread, and read the serving information. | If I’d rather have a substantial, soft slice than a crispbread late in the evening, the type of product determines my choice. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this softer snack option. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Look for wholegrain rye in the ingredients list and compare fibre per 100 g, bearing in mind the different product types. | I want to know how much wholegrain rye and fibre my choice contains, rather than relying on the word sourdough alone. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Storage and use | Read the storage instructions for after opening and check whether the product you want is available where you shop. | When I have a late-night snack now and then, I want a product that suits how I store it at home and use it each time. Around 20% of consumers give this convenience top priority. |
| Label requirements | Check the allergens, salt per 100 g and other ingredients, and look for iodised salt if needed. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients or pay particular attention to salt and iodine information, the label needs to give me a clear answer. These requirements are decisive for around 20% of consumers. |
Common misconceptions
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Assuming sourdough means a recipe without yeast
Sourdough doesn’t tell you everything about the ingredients. Wasa Sourdough Rye also lists yeast and an emulsifier; Brood van Soma Limburgs Volkoren Roggebrood lists yeast and preservatives.
Read the full ingredients list if those particular additions affect your choice.
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Assuming iodised baker’s salt is always used
According to the Voedingscentrum, using baker’s salt in bread is not compulsory. So the words sourdough or rye bread won’t tell you whether iodised salt has been used.
Look for it on the label; if you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask the baker.
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Assuming crunchy crispbread is automatically low in salt
The nutritional information listed by Jumbo for Wasa Sourdough Rye gives a salt content of 1.2 g per 100 g. Your choice of topping also contributes to what you eat.
Compare the salt content per 100 g, and consider the portion and topping you’ll actually have.
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Choosing based on the shop name without checking the product
A shop may offer both soft rye bread and crispbread, and not every rye product will mention sourdough. The range and packaging may also change.
Check the specific product and its current packaging, and confirm availability at your chosen shop.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Offers products including soft Hollandia dark sourdough rye bread and Leksands sourdough crispbread.
- The Hollandia product page lists 100% wholegrain rye and storage advice, so you can assess this soft option more closely.
- Check the current packaging before relying on the ingredients or storage instructions.
Jumbo
Offers packaged rye bread and Wasa sourdough crispbread. Jumbo also has its own range of freshly baked sourdough breads.
- The product page for Brood van Soma Limburgs Volkoren Roggebrood lists sourdough and iodised salt.
- Jumbo says its own freshly baked sourdough breads are only available in store; this doesn’t confirm that the range includes a rye option.
PLUS
Has a rye bread category and a product page for Wasa Sourdough Rye.
- PLUS lists Wasa as containing 100% wholegrain rye and 19% fibre.
- Compare the current packaging and check availability at your local shop.
Dirk
Has a product page for Wasa sourdough rye crispbread.
- The product listing is useful if you’re specifically looking for the crunchy option.
- It doesn’t tell you whether Dirk stocks soft sourdough rye bread.
Lidl
Lists rye bread as a shop product.
- The product page mentions a rye bread option with sunflower seeds.
- Check the packaging in store to see whether the option you find contains sourdough.
Aldi
Lists FINEST BAKERY rye bread and includes both rye bread and crispbread in its range.
- These are useful starting points for comparing the two types of product in store.
- Check the packaging to see whether your chosen rye bread contains sourdough and which ingredients and allergens are listed.
Crispbread for a late-night snack on Joybuy
This product suits the crunchy sourdough rye option: crispbread as a base for a late-night snack, rather than a soft slice of rye bread.
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Wasa sourdough rye crispbread, 235 g
A crunchy base for anyone who’d rather have crispbread than soft rye bread.
The product information lists wholegrain rye, rye sourdough and 19 g of fibre per 100 g. The ingredients also include yeast and an emulsifier; the stated salt content is 1.2 g per 100 g.
The product contains rye and barley. Check the current allergen information and look at the packaging for details of iodised salt if that matters to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough rye bread gluten-free?
No, rye contains gluten. The products mentioned also list other gluten-containing grains. Check the current allergen information if you need to avoid particular grains or gluten.
Does sourdough mean there’s no yeast or preservatives?
No. Wasa Sourdough Rye lists yeast and an emulsifier as well as sourdough; Brood van Soma Limburgs Volkoren Roggebrood lists yeast and preservatives. The full ingredients list gives you a clearer picture than the product name alone.
Does Dutch rye bread always contain iodised salt?
No. The Voedingscentrum says bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. Check the label for iodised salt or baker’s salt, or ask if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
How should I store soft rye bread and crispbread?
Follow the instructions for the specific product. Albert Heijn recommends storing Hollandia dark sourdough rye bread in a sealed container in the fridge after opening; the product instructions for the crispbread options mentioned recommend storing them in a dry place.