Who is this choice relevant to?

Shoppers who check ingredients

You want to see sourdough in the ingredients list and check whether the product also contains yeast, emulsifiers or preservatives.

Shoppers looking for snacks at home and on the go

You’re choosing between soft slices for open sandwiches and crunchy crispbread that you can take with you dry.

Shoppers comparing labels

You want to be able to check whether each product contains wholegrain rye, and what the pack says about fibre, salt and allergens.

What should you look for when choosing?

The product format determines how you can serve or take your snack with you. Then compare the labels of products that suit your needs.

Soft sourdough rye bread

Choose this for: bite-sized open sandwiches on a snack board or as a snack between meals.

Bear in mind: the storage instructions and how long the chosen pack keeps once opened.

Sourdough rye crispbread

Choose this for: a dry, crunchy base for toppings or a snack on the go.

Bear in mind: it has a different texture from soft rye bread; sourdough crispbread can also contain yeast.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Recipe Look for sourdough in the ingredients list and check separately for yeast, emulsifiers and preservatives. I want to know what ‘sourdough’ means for this product without overlooking other ingredients. The recipe is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Snack format Choose between soft, sliced bread and crispbread; check how the product should be stored. I want soft slices for open sandwiches, but a dry, crunchy base may be a better fit when I’m out and about. The snack format matters most to around 36% of consumers.
Label information Check the wholegrain claim, fibre and salt per 100 g, allergens and, if needed, whether iodised salt is listed. When comparing nutritional values or checking for allergens, I want to read the information for the product itself. Nutritional information and allergens are the main considerations for around 28% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means a product contains no yeast

    Ingredients lists vary: Jumbo lists yeast and an emulsifier in Wasa Sourdough Rye, and yeast and preservatives in Soma Limburg wholegrain rye bread.

    Read the full ingredients list if you want to avoid any of these additives.

  • Treating ‘artisan’ as a product specification

    A style description doesn’t tell you how much wholegrain rye or sourdough a product contains.

    Compare the ingredients list, product format and nutritional information instead.

  • Assuming rye sourdough is gluten-free

    Rye is a grain that contains gluten. Sourdough doesn’t change the allergen information for a rye product or make it gluten-free.

    Check the label of the exact product if you need to avoid gluten.

  • Assuming a product contains iodised salt based on its name

    The product information reviewed lists iodised salt for Soma Limburg wholegrain rye bread, while Hollandia dark sourdough rye bread lists sea salt.

    Check the ingredients list on the pack if iodised salt is important to your choice.

Brands and retailers to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists Hollandia dark sourdough rye bread, 500 g, sliced into 12 thin pieces.

  • The product information specifies 100% wholegrain rye and sourdough.
  • Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists both soft Soma Limburg wholegrain rye bread and Wasa Sourdough Rye crispbread.

  • The product pages list ingredients, so you can assess the two formats separately.
  • The recipes for these examples won’t necessarily apply to other rye products at Jumbo.

Lidl

Lidl lists 500 g rye bread in wholegrain and Westphalian varieties as an in-store product.

  • These varieties give you a useful starting point for comparing products in store.
  • Check the pack to see whether your chosen variety contains sourdough and which allergens are listed.

Aldi

Aldi lists FINEST BAKERY rye bread, 500 g.

  • The product name and pack weight help you identify the item.
  • Check the label to see whether this rye bread contains sourdough and wholegrain rye.

Plus

Plus lists Wasa Sourdough Rye as crispbread, 235 g.

  • The product information specifies wholegrain rye and sourdough.
  • Check the pack for the latest ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Dirk

Dirk lists Wasa sourdough rye crispbread, 235 g.

  • The product format and pack weight are clearly stated.
  • Compare the ingredients, salt and allergens using the pack.

Crispbread at Joybuy

If you’re looking for a dry, crunchy snack base, the sourdough rye crispbread below could be a good choice.

Wasa Sourdough Rye crispbread, 235 g

Wasa Sourdough Rye crispbread 235 g

A crunchy rye base for a topped snack; the pack contains 235 g.

The ingredients list for Wasa Sourdough Rye at Jumbo includes yeast and an emulsifier as well as sourdough. Check the current pack for ingredients and allergens.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough rye bread gluten-free?

No. Sourdough doesn’t make rye bread gluten-free: rye is a grain that contains gluten. Read the allergen information for the exact product; some of the rye products reviewed also contain wheat or barley.

Does sourdough mean there’s no yeast or other additives?

No. The term sourdough doesn’t rule out yeast or other ingredients. For example, the ingredients list for Wasa Sourdough Rye at Jumbo includes yeast and an emulsifier, so check the pack of the product you choose.

How should I store rye bread or crispbread during a multi-day autumn holiday?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack of your chosen product, especially after opening. Soft rye bread and dry crispbread don’t necessarily have the same storage instructions.