Solo diners who want soft rye slices
Ideal if you want slices to top for lunch or a light evening meal and can store and use up an opened pack according to the instructions.
Which type is right for you?
Anyone who wants crisp portions to enjoy as needed
Ideal if you want a few pieces of crispbread with toppings at a time and can store the pack in a dry place according to the label.
Shoppers with specific ingredient requirements
Ideal if it matters to you whether sourdough is just an ingredient or the product is yeast-free, or if you want to check the grains, allergens and salt on the label first.
What should you look for when choosing?
Soft, sliced rye bread
Best for: a meal with soft slices and toppings.
Bear in mind: its limited shelf life after opening and the storage instructions for the remaining bread.
Rye crispbread
Best for: individual, crisp portions to top and enjoy at different times.
Bear in mind: it has a different texture from soft rye bread; sourdough doesn’t rule out yeast in the ingredients list.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and storage | Compare the number of slices or pieces, and read the storage instructions for after opening. | When I eat alone, I want to be able to use up an opened pack without throwing slices away. Around 36% of consumers prioritise portions and storage. |
| Texture and sourdough | Compare soft slices with crispbread, and check whether yeast or other ingredients are listed alongside sourdough. | I want to choose between a soft slice with toppings and something crisp that I can have a little at a time. For around 36% of consumers, their preferred way of eating it is the deciding factor. |
| Ingredients and labelling | Check the types of grain, allergen information and whether iodised salt is listed. | If you want to avoid specific ingredients or are keeping an eye on salt, you need clear labelling. Around 28% of consumers prioritise checking ingredients. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing based on the word ‘sourdough’ alone
Sourdough may be listed alongside yeast, an emulsifier or preservatives. So the name alone doesn’t tell you enough if you have a specific ingredient preference.
Read the full ingredients list if you want to avoid any of these ingredients.
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Opening a pack of soft slices without a plan for using them
The soft rye breads described here have a limited shelf life once opened. This is worth bearing in mind if you only eat a slice now and then.
Think about how many slices you’ll use at a time and follow the pack’s storage instructions after opening.
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Assuming rye is gluten-free
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, rye is a grain that contains gluten. The crispbreads described here also list other gluten-containing grains.
If you need a gluten-free product, check for an explicit gluten-free label and the allergen information on the current packaging.
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Assuming all rye bread contains iodised salt
Soma Bread lists iodised salt, but that product’s ingredients tell you nothing about the ingredients in a different rye bread.
Check the ingredients list for an explicit mention of iodised salt or baker’s salt if this is important to your choice.
Brands and products to consider
Hollandia
Soft, dark sourdough rye bread for slices with toppings. For the variant described, Albert Heijn lists a 500 g pack with 12 thin slices.
- The product information lists 100% wholegrain rye and sourdough, with no yeast or preservatives in the ingredients list.
- Has a limited shelf life after opening; Albert Heijn recommends keeping the pack sealed in the fridge.
Wasa
Sourdough rye crispbread for anyone who wants crisp pieces to enjoy a few at a time. Albert Heijn lists around 19 pieces in a 235 g pack.
- The variant described lists wholegrain rye and sourdough.
- The ingredients list also includes yeast and an emulsifier; check the allergen information for rye, barley and any possible cross-contamination warnings.
Leksands
Triangular rye crispbread with sourdough, ideal for crisp portions with toppings.
- The 200 g pack described by Albert Heijn lists 3.8% rye sourdough.
- As well as rye, the ingredients include wheat and barley; follow the instructions to store the product in a cool, dry place away from light.
Brood van Soma
Packaged Limburg wholegrain rye bread with sourdough as an ingredient. The variant described by Jumbo weighs 400 g.
- The label lists 32% sourdough and iodised salt.
- The ingredients list also includes yeast, wheat bran and preservatives; the bread has a limited shelf life after opening.
Sourdough crispbread on Joybuy
This crispbread is a good fit if you want individual, crisp rye portions for a meal for one. If you’re looking for soft slices to top, choose a different type of product.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye crispbread, 235 g
For anyone who wants a few crisp pieces of rye crispbread to top at a time.
Albert Heijn lists around 19 pieces per pack for this Wasa variant. The ingredients described include sourdough, as well as yeast and an emulsifier; store the product according to the instructions on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough rye bread always free from yeast or preservatives?
No, it varies from product to product. The ingredients list for the Hollandia variant described doesn’t mention yeast or preservatives, while Wasa Sourdough Rye lists yeast and an emulsifier, and Soma Bread lists yeast and preservatives.
What should I choose if I only need bread for one person?
Choose based on how you want to eat and store the portions: according to Albert Heijn, Wasa crispbread comes in around 19 individual pieces and should be stored in a dry place, while Hollandia offers soft slices with a limited shelf life after opening. In either case, check the storage instructions on the pack.
Is rye bread gluten-free?
No, rye contains gluten, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. If you need a gluten-free product, look for an explicit gluten-free label and check the ingredients and allergen information.
How can I tell whether rye bread contains iodised salt?
Read the ingredients list for the specific product. Soma Bread lists iodised salt, but you can’t assume the same is true of other rye bread without checking the label.
Does sourdough on the packaging mean the product is wholegrain?
No, sourdough and wholegrain describe different things. Check the product description and ingredients list for the grains used and the proportions listed; the ingredients vary between the rye products described here.