Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers mainly looking for rye

You want compact rye bread and check whether wholegrain rye and sourdough are actually listed in the ingredients, rather than just mentioned on the front of the pack.

Shoppers comparing fibre and salt

You regularly eat rye bread for breakfast or lunch and compare fibre and salt per 100 g as well as per serving.

Shoppers who need to read the label carefully

You check for gluten, other allergens or the use of baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye contains gluten. The same organisation says bakers are not required to use baker’s salt.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want soft, compact bread, a lighter loaf or crispbread. Then read the ingredients and compare the nutritional information for products you would genuinely consider as alternatives.

What to consider What to check when buying Most relevant to
Rye and sourdough Check the order of the ingredients and see whether baker’s yeast is listed alongside sourdough. I want compact rye bread made mainly with wholegrain rye, and don’t want to rely on the name alone. An estimated 37% of shoppers considering a rye sourdough product prioritise its ingredients.
Fibre, salt and serving size Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, then check the weight of a typical serving of each product. If I eat this bread regularly, I want to know how much fibre and salt my serving contains. An estimated 27% of these shoppers are most concerned with comparing nutritional information.
Gluten, allergens and baker’s salt Read the current allergen information. If you have questions about iodine, check whether baker’s salt has been used. Before buying, I need to know whether the ingredients and allergen information suit my diet. An estimated 18% of shoppers considering these products prioritise these label checks.
Type, storage and retailer Choose the texture you want and read the storage instructions. Check that the product is available from your chosen retailer. I’m looking for something that suits the way I eat and store bread, without making a trip to the shop for a different type of product. An estimated 18% of these shoppers prioritise texture and practicality.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘sourdough’ means ‘made without yeast’

    The listings reviewed for AH Liefde & Passie OerDesem zonne rogge and Brood van Soma Schwarzbrot mention baker’s yeast as well as sourdough. So the mention of sourdough alone doesn’t tell you how the bread has risen.

    Check the full ingredients list if you’re looking for a product with no added baker’s yeast.

  • Assuming rye is a gluten-free grain

    Rye contains gluten, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. That means ordinary rye bread and rye crispbread are not gluten-free alternatives.

    If you’re choosing a gluten-free product, check the labelling of the specific product carefully.

  • Assuming all sourdough bread contains baker’s salt

    Bakers are not required to use baker’s salt, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. The use of sourdough doesn’t tell you whether it has been used.

    Check the ingredients or ask the baker if the use of baker’s salt matters to your choice.

  • Comparing crispbread as if it were soft rye bread

    A crisp cracker and a slice of compact rye bread differ in texture and serving size. Nutritional values per 100 g don’t tell you how much of each product you’d usually eat.

    Choose the type of product first, then compare both per 100 g and per serving.

Brands as examples

Hollandia

The Albert Heijn listing for Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem is an example for anyone looking for compact, dark rye bread.

  • Albert Heijn lists 55% broken wholegrain rye, natural sourdough and no baker’s yeast for this variety.
  • This variety contains rye and barley; the listed salt content is 0,97 g per 100 g. These details don’t automatically apply to other Hollandia products.

AH Liefde & Passie

OerDesem zonne rogge is a wheat and rye sourdough bread for anyone looking for a larger loaf with seeds, rather than compact bread made entirely from rye.

  • Albert Heijn lists 11% wholegrain rye flour and a 56-hour proving process for this variety.
  • The ingredients also include wheat and baker’s yeast. Check the allergen information on the current packaging.

Brood van Soma

Schwarzbrot is an example of rye bread that includes sourdough as one of its ingredients.

  • The PLUS product listing states that Schwarzbrot contains 9,3 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The listed ingredients also include baker’s yeast, sugar syrup, food acids and preservatives. Don’t assume the same applies to other products from the brand.

Wasa

Wasa Zuurdesem Rogge is crispbread for anyone looking for a dry, crunchy rye base rather than soft bread.

  • PLUS lists 100% wholegrain rye, natural sourdough and 19 g of fibre per 100 g for this product.
  • The listed salt content is 1,2 g per 100 g. The product information also notes that it may contain milk, mustard, sesame and soya, among other allergens.

Rye sourdough crispbread on Joybuy

This crispbread is a good choice if you’re looking for a crunchy rye base. It doesn’t have the same texture as soft, compact rye bread.

Wasa Zuurdesem Rogge crispbread, 235 g pack

Wasa Zuurdesem Rogge crispbread, 235 g

For anyone looking for rye sourdough crispbread, not soft rye bread.

PLUS lists 19 g of fibre and 1,2 g of salt per 100 g for Wasa Zuurdesem Rogge. Compare the nutritional information per serving too, and check the current packaging for allergen information.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough rye bread always made without yeast?

No. Albert Heijn lists no baker’s yeast for Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem, while the listings reviewed for AH Liefde & Passie OerDesem zonne rogge and Brood van Soma Schwarzbrot do include it. So check the ingredients of the variety you’re buying.

Is rye sourdough bread gluten-free?

No. Regular rye sourdough bread isn’t gluten-free: rye contains gluten, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If you’re choosing a gluten-free product, check the labelling of the specific product.

Does Dutch rye bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients or ask the baker if this matters to your purchase; don’t rely on the word ‘sourdough’ alone.

How should I store rye bread and crispbread?

Follow the storage instructions on the packaging of the product you choose. The Hollandia listing reviewed recommends storing the rye bread in a sealed container in the fridge after opening; Wasa recommends keeping its crispbread in a cool, dry place.

Can I rely on a supermarket’s online range?

Not to check stock at a specific shop. Jumbo says its sourdough breads baked in store aren’t available to order online, while Lidl lists one rye bread reviewed as available in store only. Check your chosen branch before setting off for a particular product.