If you want to serve soft rye bread
If you’d like to serve thin, soft slices with coffee, pay attention to the product type and slice size. Albert Heijn describes Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem as sliced rye bread.
Which type is right for you?
If you want a crunchy store-cupboard option
If you’re looking for individual crunchy portions that can be stored in a dry place, consider sourdough rye crispbread. It’s a different type of product from soft rye bread.
If you like to check the label carefully
If the ingredients, allergens or type of salt used will influence your choice, read the information on the current packaging. Sourdough products can also contain yeast or other ingredients.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you’d prefer soft slices or crunchy crispbread for your coffee break. Then compare the information on the label about ingredients, storage and allergens.
Soft sourdough rye bread
Choose this if: you want to serve thin, soft slices, such as Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem.
Bear in mind: the storage advice once opened; Albert Heijn recommends keeping this product sealed and refrigerated.
Sourdough rye crispbread
Choose this if: a crunchy, dry base is better suited to what you want to serve.
Bear in mind: crispbread won’t give you the soft texture of sliced rye bread.
Rye bread to buy in advance
Choose this if: you’re planning for several coffee breaks. Jumbo states that Brood van Soma Limburgs Volkoren Roggebrood keeps for more than ten days unopened.
Bear in mind: according to Jumbo, this product also contains wheat, yeast and preservatives; check the storage advice for after opening too.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and texture | Check whether the product is soft rye bread or crunchy crispbread, and how it is portioned. | If I want to serve small, soft slices, a cracker-like texture isn’t what I’m looking for. Around 36% of consumers would put flavour and texture at the top of their list when choosing. |
| Wholegrain rye and ingredients | Check the proportion of wholegrain rye, compare fibre per 100 g, and look for yeast and other ingredients. | The word ‘sourdough’ alone doesn’t tell me enough about what I’m serving. That’s why ingredients would be the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Storage and planning | Compare the shelf life before and after opening, and follow the stated storage instructions. | When I’m buying for several coffee breaks, I want to know how to store the opened packaging. Convenient storage would be the main consideration for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens and type of salt | Read the current allergen information and, if the type of salt matters to you, check the ingredients list. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to check them for each product before serving it. For around 14% of consumers, this would be the most important check. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming sourdough means a product is yeast-free
Sourdough products can also contain yeast. Jumbo lists yeast in Brood van Soma Limburgs Volkoren Roggebrood, whereas the information from Albert Heijn for Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem doesn’t mention added yeast.
If you want to avoid yeast or other ingredients, read the full ingredients list on the packaging you buy.
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Treating crispbread like soft rye bread
Wasa Zuurdesem Rogge is crispbread, so it won’t give you the same soft slices as Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem.
First decide which texture and serving style you’d prefer; then compare the labels of products in that category.
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Guessing the type of salt from the product name
Albert Heijn lists sea salt in Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem; Jumbo lists iodised salt in Brood van Soma Limburgs Volkoren Roggebrood. So the name ‘rye bread’ doesn’t tell you which salt an individual product contains.
Check the ingredients list on the current packaging. If the type of salt matters to you, ask which salt has been used when buying unpackaged bread.
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Checking only the unopened shelf life
Storage instructions may change once the packaging has been opened. Soft rye bread needs to be stored differently from crispbread, which should be kept dry and well sealed.
Choose packaging that suits when you plan to serve the product, and follow the label’s advice once it’s open.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn sells 500 g Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem, a soft, packaged rye bread.
- The product information lists wholegrain rye and sourdough, and provides details about ingredients, allergens and storage.
- Albert Heijn notes that product information may change, so check the packaging when you buy.
Jumbo
Jumbo sells products including Wasa Zuurdesem Rogge crispbread and Brood van Soma Limburgs Volkoren Roggebrood.
- These two products offer different options to serve with coffee: crispbread and sliced rye bread.
- Jumbo also describes freshly baked sourdough bread from its in-store bakery, but that description doesn’t confirm that it’s rye bread.
PLUS
PLUS sells 235 g Wasa Knäckebröd Zuurdesem Rogge as a crunchy sourdough rye option.
- The product information lists wholegrain rye and 19 g of fibre per 100 g.
- If you want to serve soft slices of rye bread, this crispbread will have a different texture.
Dirk
Dirk features Wasa Zuurdesem Rogge crispbread and a range of standard rye breads.
- The range gives you the opportunity to compare crispbread and rye bread as separate product types.
- If you’re choosing soft rye bread, check separately whether sourdough is listed in the ingredients.
Lidl
Lidl features 500 g rye bread with sunflower seeds as an in-store product.
- This could be an option if you’re also considering standard rye bread for your coffee break.
- If you specifically want sourdough rye bread, check the ingredients on the packaging.
Aldi
Aldi features FINEST BAKERY Roggebrood, a 500 g standard rye bread.
- It’s an option for anyone who also wants to look at standard rye bread.
- Check the packaging if sourdough is a must for you.
Sourdough rye for a crunchy coffee break
This is sourdough rye crispbread for anyone who wants to serve something crunchy with coffee. It isn’t soft, sliced rye bread.
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Wasa sourdough rye crispbread 235 g
A crunchy rye base for anyone who doesn’t want to serve soft slices with coffee.
235 g pack. PLUS lists 19 g of fibre per 100 g for Wasa Zuurdesem Rogge.
The product information also lists yeast and an emulsifier. Check the current packaging for allergen information or if you prefer a particular type of salt.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough rye bread always yeast-free?
No. Jumbo lists yeast as well as sourdough in Brood van Soma Limburgs Volkoren Roggebrood. If you want to avoid yeast, read the ingredients list for the specific product.
Is rye bread gluten-free?
No. According to Voedingscentrum, rye is a cereal that contains gluten. If you follow a gluten-free diet, check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you want to serve.
Can I tell from the rye bread whether it contains iodised salt?
No, the product name doesn’t tell you which salt has been used. Albert Heijn lists sea salt in Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem, while Jumbo lists iodised salt in Brood van Soma Limburgs Volkoren Roggebrood. So check the current label.
How should I store soft rye bread once opened?
Follow the storage advice for the product you choose. For Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem, Albert Heijn recommends keeping the packaging sealed in the fridge and avoiding touching the slices with your hands.
How do I compare the fibre in rye bread and crispbread?
First compare the figures on the same basis, for example per 100 g, then consider how much you serve per portion. PLUS lists 19 g of fibre per 100 g for Wasa Zuurdesem Rogge; the product information lists 10 g per 100 g for Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem. A portion of soft bread and a portion of crispbread may not weigh the same.