Who is this choice relevant to?

Anyone putting together a Mother’s Day platter

You can choose between slices of rye bread and crunchy crispbread as a base for sweet or savoury toppings. The texture you’re after will help you decide which type to look for.

Anyone looking for wholegrain rye

You want to check the wholegrain claim and ingredients, rather than relying on the word sourdough alone. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain cereal products contain more fibre and other important nutrients than products made with refined flour.

Anyone checking labels for guests

You want to know which allergens are listed on the packaging and how much salt the product contains before serving it. That means checking the information for the exact product, not relying on average values for rye bread.

What should you look for when choosing?

First choose the type you want to serve, then check the wholegrain claim and the information on the packaging. The percentages below indicate the proportion of consumers expected to prioritise each of these three factors.

What to consider What to check when buying Especially relevant to
Texture and presentation Check whether you’re buying rye bread in slices or crunchy crispbread. For a Mother’s Day platter, I want to choose between bread slices and crunchy bites; around 40% of consumers are expected to prioritise presentation.
Wholegrain content and fibre Look for the wholegrain claim and compare fibre content on the same basis, for example per 100 g. If wholegrain rye is my top priority, I want to see it stated on the label and be able to check the nutritional information. Around 40% of consumers are expected to prioritise this.
Allergens and salt Read the allergen information on the packaging and check the salt content per 100 g and per intended serving. When I’m serving food to guests, I need to check first whether the ingredients and allergens are suitable. This label check is expected to be the main concern for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means wholegrain

    The term sourdough doesn’t tell you whether the rye flour used is wholegrain. You could therefore choose a product that doesn’t meet your preference for wholegrain rye.

    Read the ingredients list and look for an explicit wholegrain claim. PLUS lists one for Wasa and Leksands crispbread; check the packaging of other products individually.

  • Assuming rye sourdough is gluten-free

    Sourdough doesn’t make rye gluten-free. PLUS’s product information lists cereals containing gluten for Wasa and Leksands crispbread.

    Check the allergen information for the exact product before buying and serving it, especially if a guest needs to avoid gluten or other ingredients.

  • Applying average nutritional values to a particular brand

    An average value for a slice of rye bread isn’t the nutritional value of a specific crispbread. You also can’t compare a value per serving directly with one per 100 g.

    First compare products using the same measurement, for example per 100 g, then consider the serving you plan to offer.

  • Assuming iodised baker’s salt is used without checking the label

    The name rye bread or sourdough doesn’t tell you what type of salt was used in the product.

    If the presence of iodised baker’s salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients information on the packaging you select.

Brands to consider

Wasa

According to PLUS, Wasa Sourdough Rye is crispbread made with wholegrain rye and sourdough, not soft rye bread.

  • PLUS lists 100% wholegrain rye and provides information about the ingredients and nutritional values.
  • Check the allergens on the packaging; this product also carries a warning about possible traces of other allergens.

Leksands

PLUS describes Leksands’ sourdough product as crispbread, making it a good option if you’re after something crunchy.

  • The ingredients list on PLUS states that it contains 85% wholegrain rye flour and 3.8% rye sourdough.
  • The ingredients also include wheat; the product contains gluten and its texture is not a substitute for a slice of soft rye bread.

Hollandia

Albert Heijn stocks a product called Hollandia Dark Sourdough Rye Bread, which is worth considering if you’d prefer rye bread rather than crispbread.

  • The product name makes it easy to identify as dark rye bread with sourdough.
  • Check the packaging before drawing conclusions about its wholegrain status, ingredients, allergens or nutritional values.

Rye and sourdough crispbread on Joybuy

This product selection is for anyone looking for a crunchy rye and sourdough base for their Mother’s Day table. If you’d rather serve slices of rye bread, assess that product type separately.

Wasa sourdough rye crispbread, 235 g pack

Wasa sourdough rye crispbread 235 g

A crunchy base for serving topped bites instead of slices of rye bread. The pack contains 235 g; check the latest ingredients and allergen information before serving.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough rye bread automatically wholegrain?

No. Sourdough, by itself, says nothing about whether a product is wholegrain. Look for a wholegrain claim on the packaging and check which types of flour are listed in the ingredients.

Is sourdough rye crispbread gluten-free?

No, that doesn’t follow from the term sourdough. PLUS lists cereals containing gluten for Wasa and Leksands crispbread; if you’re choosing gluten-free foods, always check the information on the exact packaging.

When should I top crispbread for a Mother’s Day breakfast?

Add the toppings shortly before serving if you want to keep the crispbread crunchy. Follow the storage instructions on the packaging you choose; PLUS recommends storing Wasa in a cool, dry place and Leksands in a dark, dry place.

Can I tell from the name whether it contains iodised baker’s salt?

No. The terms rye bread and sourdough don’t tell you what type of salt was used. Check the ingredients information for the specific product if this matters to your choice.

Can I order Jumbo sourdough bread online as an alternative?

Not the rustic sourdough loaves described on Jumbo’s information page: according to Jumbo, they’re only available in store. That information also doesn’t confirm that a rye version is available, so check your local store’s range if you specifically want rye.