Breakfast and lunch staples
You’re looking for crispbread to eat regularly with toppings. Look for a clear wholegrain claim and compare the fibre per 100 g, rather than relying on the word ‘sourdough’ alone.
Which type of toast is right for you?
Small topped bites
You’re after thin toast for spreads, cheese or other nibbles. In this case, the size matters more to your choice than the qualities you might look for in crispbread for breakfast or lunch.
Comparing labels carefully
You want to check which grains, allergens and amount of salt a product contains before doing your weekly shop. If iodine matters to you, check which type of salt has been used too.
What should you look for when choosing?
Wholegrain sourdough crispbread
Best for: breakfast or lunch when a clearly stated wholegrain base and fibre content are important to you.
Consider: its sturdy shape is different from thin toast for nibbles. The Wasa and Leksands examples listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo contain gluten-containing grains.
Thin sourdough toast
Best for: small, crisp pieces of toast with toppings, when size and texture are what matter most.
Consider: sourdough doesn’t guarantee wholegrains. The Jos Poell Zuurdesem Toast listed by Albert Heijn isn’t described as wholegrain and is shown there as discontinued.
Melba toast, if sourdough isn’t essential
Best for: thin toast for toppings when sourdough isn’t a must.
Consider: melba toast isn’t automatically sourdough or wholegrain. Check the ingredients if either matters to you.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholegrains and fibre | Look for a clear wholegrain claim and compare fibre per 100 g. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholegrain cereal products contain more fibre than products made with refined flour. | If I eat crispbread more often for breakfast or lunch, I want to know which grains it contains and how much fibre it provides. This is the top priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Shape and use | Decide whether you want thin toast for small bites or sturdier crispbread for toppings. Check that it’s currently available before adding it to your shopping list. | For small topped bites, I want a thin, crisp piece of toast rather than a sturdy cracker. This intended use takes priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Label information | Read the ingredients, allergens and salt content per 100 g. Check separately which salt has been used if iodine matters to you. | When stocking up for several meals, I want to check whether a product suits my needs around allergens, salt or iodine. This check is the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming sourdough means wholegrain
A sourdough claim doesn’t tell you whether the grains used are wholegrain. So a thin piece of toast may be a different choice from the crispbread you’re looking for at breakfast or lunch.
Check the wholegrain claim and ingredients, then compare the fibre per 100 g.
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Assuming every toast product contains iodine
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell which salt is in a particular pack just from its Dutch origin or product name.
Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt in the ingredients, and ask the manufacturer if the label doesn’t answer your question.
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Building your shopping list around just one type of toast
Albert Heijn lists Jos Poell Zuurdesem Toast as discontinued. This doesn’t tell you whether it’s available from other retailers, but it’s a good reason to check your list before you set off.
Check the current product listing and, if needed, choose another type of product that suits how you plan to use it.
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Reading only the front of the pack
The sourdough products from Jos Poell, Wasa and Leksands listed by Albert Heijn and Jumbo contain gluten-containing grains. Their salt levels also differ.
For the product you choose, read the current ingredients, allergen information and nutritional information, including the salt content per 100 g.
Brands and retailers to consider
Wasa
Albert Heijn describes Wasa Zuurdesem Meergranen as wholegrain sourdough crispbread, suitable for breakfast and lunch, among other occasions.
- This particular variety states that it is 100% wholegrain and contains 18 g of fibre per 100 g.
- It’s crispbread, not thin toast for nibbles. Check the allergen information for the variety you buy.
Leksands
Jumbo lists Leksands Knäckebröd Zuurdesem as a rye product for breakfast, lunch or a snack.
- The listed variety contains 85% wholegrain rye flour and 21 g of fibre per 100 g.
- It contains gluten-containing grains and has a different shape from melba toast.
Jos Poell
Albert Heijn describes Jos Poell Zuurdesem Toast as thin toast made with ingredients including wheat flour, rye flour and wheat sourdough powder.
- The product description makes clear that it’s sourdough toast for small topped bites.
- This variety isn’t described as wholegrain, contains 1,9 g of salt per 100 g and is listed by Albert Heijn as discontinued.
Albert Heijn
This retailer’s toast and toast-cracker category includes a range of product types and brands.
- Product listings give you useful details for comparing size, ingredients and nutritional information.
- Products in the toast category aren’t automatically sourdough, so assess each variety individually.
Bolletje
Bolletje’s range overview includes crackers, crispbread and breakfast crackers, among other products.
- These product types are worth considering when comparing crisp cereal products for your weekly shop.
- If you specifically want sourdough, check the ingredients and description of the individual product rather than relying on its category in the range.
Sourdough crackers on Joybuy
These sourdough rye crackers are a good fit for a weekly shop focused on crisp products for breakfast or lunch. Check the pack to see whether this particular variety also meets your needs for wholegrains, fibre and allergens.
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Wasa Sourdough Rye Crackers, 235 g
Sourdough rye crackers for anyone looking for a crisp product to add to their weekly shop. The pack contains 235 g. Before choosing, check the current ingredients, nutritional information, allergens and storage instructions on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is sourdough toast automatically wholegrain?
No, a sourdough claim doesn’t confirm that a product is wholegrain. Albert Heijn describes Jos Poell Zuurdesem Toast as containing wheat flour and rye flour, while the listings for Wasa Zuurdesem Meergranen at Albert Heijn and Leksands Knäckebröd Zuurdesem at Jumbo explicitly mention wholegrains. Check the ingredients of the variety you choose.
Does Dutch toast always have to contain iodised baker’s salt?
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. If the type of salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for the specific product or ask the manufacturer.
Is sourdough toast gluten-free?
No, sourdough alone doesn’t mean a product is gluten-free. The Jos Poell Zuurdesem Toast and Wasa Zuurdesem Meergranen listed by Albert Heijn, and the Leksands Knäckebröd Zuurdesem listed by Jumbo, contain gluten-containing grains. Check the current allergen information for every other variety.
How do I compare the salt content of these product types?
First compare the salt per 100 g, then consider how much you use at a time. Albert Heijn lists 1,1 g of salt per 100 g for Wasa Zuurdesem Meergranen and 1,9 g for Jos Poell Zuurdesem Toast; Jumbo lists 1,2 g for Leksands Knäckebröd Zuurdesem. These figures apply to the varieties named, not every product from these brands.