Who are these product types suitable for?

Fans of sliced rye bread

If you’re looking for a compact, moist slice for lunch or a snack with drinks, soft rye bread is a different choice from crispbread. Albert Heijn describes Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem as thinly sliced bread made with wholegrain rye and sourdough.

Those looking for a crisp base

For breakfast or a quick topping, sourdough crispbread may be a better match for the texture you want. Check the ingredients list if you also want to know whether it contains yeast, malt or other grains alongside rye sourdough.

Those who read labels carefully

If the types of grain, allergens or nutritional information will determine your choice, compare the specific packs. Rye, wheat and barley are gluten-containing grains. Also check for any warnings about traces and see what type of salt is used.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you want a moist slice or a crisp cracker. Then compare the ingredients and storage instructions for products in your chosen category.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Rye and sourdough Check which grains and sourdough are listed, and look separately for yeast and malt. I want to see rye and sourdough in the ingredients list, without assuming that sourdough means there’s no yeast. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the ingredients.
Texture and product type Compare sliced rye bread with crispbread by product type, rather than treating them as the same eating experience. For lunch, I want moist slices rather than a crisp cracker. Around 25% of consumers say their preferred texture matters most.
Nutritional information and allergens Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and read the listed allergens and trace warnings. I want to know which grains are used and be able to compare the nutritional information before I buy. Around 25% of consumers make checking the label their top priority.
Storage after opening Check how the pack should be stored and what the advice is once it’s opened. I only eat rye bread occasionally, so I want an opened pack to suit how often I use it. For around 17% of consumers, storage is the most important factor when buying.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means yeast-free

    According to their product information, Wasa Zuurdesem Rogge and the Leksands crispbread reviewed both contain sourdough and yeast. The Leksands product also contains wheat and barley.

    Read the full ingredients list if you want to avoid yeast or a particular grain; don’t rely on the product name alone.

  • Thinking crispbread is the same type of product as soft rye bread

    Wasa describes its sourdough crispbread as thin and extra crisp. Albert Heijn, on the other hand, presents Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem as moist, sliced bread.

    Choose a texture that suits your toppings and the occasion, then compare ingredients and nutritional value within that product type.

  • Assuming rye bread is made with iodised baker’s salt

    The name rye bread doesn’t tell you what type of salt has been used. The Voedingscentrum also notes that organic bread usually doesn’t contain baker’s salt.

    Check the ingredients list, or ask the baker what type of salt they use if you’re buying unpackaged bread.

  • Ignoring storage advice after opening

    Albert Heijn states that Hollandia has a limited shelf life once opened, while PLUS advises storing Leksands crispbread in a cool, dark and dry place.

    Take how often you’ll use the product into account when choosing, and follow the pack instructions once it’s open.

Brands to help you choose

Hollandia

Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem, as described by Albert Heijn, is a sliced, moist rye bread for anyone who isn’t looking for crispbread.

  • Albert Heijn says this product is made with 100% wholegrain rye, sourdough and barley malt.
  • This description doesn’t apply to other Hollandia products. This bread contains rye and barley, and has a limited shelf life once opened.

Wasa

According to the manufacturer, Wasa Zuurdesem Rogge is thin, extra-crisp crispbread, not soft sliced rye bread.

  • Wasa lists wholegrain rye flour and rye sourdough, and states that this product contains 19 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The ingredients also include yeast, barley malt extract and an emulsifier. Check the current pack for allergens and possible traces.

Leksands

The Leksands Zuurdesem Knäckebröd described by PLUS is a crisp product made with rye sourdough.

  • PLUS lists wholegrain rye flour as an ingredient and states that it contains 21 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • This product also contains, among other ingredients, wheat bran, wheat flour, barley malt flour and yeast; it isn’t made from rye alone.

Rye sourdough crispbread at Joybuy

This product is a good choice if you want a crisp base made with rye sourdough. If you’re looking for moist, sliced bread for lunch, compare soft rye bread as a separate product type.

Wasa Sourdough Rye crispbread, 235 g

Wasa Sourdough Rye crispbread, 235 g

A crisp base for anyone looking for rye sourdough crispbread, rather than a soft slice of rye bread. The product information for Wasa Zuurdesem Rogge states that it contains 19 g of fibre per 100 g. As well as wholegrain rye flour and rye sourdough, the product contains yeast and barley malt extract. It contains rye and barley; if you have allergies, also check the current pack for trace warnings.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if rye bread contains sourdough?

Read the ingredients list and look for sourdough, rather than relying on the front of the pack alone. Check separately for yeast too: the product information for Wasa and Leksands lists both ingredients.

Is sourdough rye bread gluten-free?

Sourdough doesn’t make rye gluten-free: rye is a gluten-containing grain. The products reviewed contain rye and may also contain wheat or barley, depending on the product. Check the ingredients list for the specific pack to find out what it contains.

Does rye bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t tell from the name rye bread. The Voedingscentrum notes that organic bread usually doesn’t contain baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list on packaged bread, or ask the baker what type of salt they use if you’re buying unpackaged bread.

Should I store soft rye bread in the same way as crispbread?

Follow the instructions on the packaging for each product type. Albert Heijn states that Hollandia Roggebrood donker zuurdesem has a limited shelf life once opened; PLUS advises storing Leksands crispbread in a cool, dark and dry place.