Travellers specifically looking for sourdough
Want a sourdough croissant, not just one with an artisan look? Check the ingredients or ask the baker. Sourdough bread at Jumbo or PLUS is a different product from a sourdough croissant.
Which option is right for you?
Travellers who want to eat straight away
If you’re buying just before setting off and won’t have access to an oven, a fresh croissant fits your plans better than one that needs baking. If you’re not eating it straight away, follow the storage advice on the packaging.
Travellers who like to add a filling
If you’re taking perishable fillings with you, you’ll also need to plan how to keep them chilled. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping perishable foods at 4 °C and throwing them away if they’ve been out of the fridge for more than two hours.
What should you look for when choosing?
Decide whether sourdough is a must-have or whether your main priority is being able to eat without any preparation. If you’re adding perishable ingredients, you’ll also need a plan for keeping them chilled.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sourdough | Look for an explicit mention of sourdough in the ingredients, or ask the baker. A butter croissant isn’t automatically a sourdough croissant. | If I’m choosing sourdough specifically, I want to be sure it’s in the croissant. For around 36% of consumers, that certainty is the most important factor when buying. |
| Ready to eat | Check whether it’s a fresh croissant or one that needs baking, and read the storage advice. | If I’m setting off without an oven, I want a croissant I can eat straight away. Being able to eat it immediately is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Fillings and keeping them chilled | Check whether the filling needs to be kept chilled, and check the croissant and filling for allergens. | If I’m taking perishable fillings with me, I want to keep them chilled during the journey. For around 21% of consumers, taking food with them safely is the main concern. |
| Portions and availability | Compare the number of croissants in each pack and check whether the product you want is available at your shop. | If I’m buying for a group, I want to know in advance how many croissants I can take without making another stop. Portions and availability are the main considerations for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Mistaking a butter croissant for a sourdough croissant
Butter and sourdough describe different things. Even if a shop sells both croissants and sourdough bread, that tells you nothing about the ingredients in an individual croissant.
Only count sourdough as a factor if it’s listed on the croissant’s packaging or confirmed by the baker.
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Buying croissants that need baking when you’re setting off without an oven
According to the product information, PLUS’s small butter croissants need to defrost for 20 minutes before baking for around 14 minutes. That’s not ideal if you want to eat as soon as you’ve bought them.
Prepare them before setting off, or choose a fresh croissant that’s ready to eat.
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Assuming a croissant contains iodine based on its name
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s been used from words such as sourdough or croissant.
Check the label or ask the baker if this information matters to your choice.
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Leaving perishable fillings in the car without keeping them chilled
Perishable fillings need to be stored differently from an unfilled croissant. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises keeping these foods at 4 °C and throwing them away if they’ve been out of the fridge for more than two hours.
Use a cool box for perishable fillings, or choose a filling that doesn’t need to be kept chilled.
Brands and ranges at a glance
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s croissant range includes fresh, bake-at-home and frozen options.
- You can choose the type of product to suit when you’re setting off.
- Check the ingredients of the individual product if sourdough is a must-have.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes its sourdough breads as an option for anyone looking for sourdough who doesn’t need a croissant.
- Jumbo says its sourdough breads are fermented for more than 24 hours using fresh sourdough starter.
- These are breads, not sourdough croissants. Jumbo says they’re only available in store.
PLUS
PLUS lists croissants that need baking, as well as separate Korenlanders sourdough breads.
- The product information for PLUS’s small butter croissants includes baking instructions for anyone who can prepare them before setting off.
- These croissants need to be defrosted and baked. The fact that the range includes sourdough bread doesn’t confirm that the croissants contain sourdough.
Dirk
Dirk lists products including 1 de Beste butter croissants, which need to be baked.
- The pack mentioned contains four croissants, weighing 180 g in total.
- Check the ingredients if you’re specifically looking for sourdough, and remember to prepare them before setting off.
ALDI
ALDI describes a fresh butter croissant sold individually.
- Buying a fresh croissant individually is convenient if you’re shopping just before setting off.
- Check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and any mention of sourdough.
Croissants at Joybuy
This pack of four croissants is an option if you want to plan portions for the journey. Before setting off, check the packaging to see whether sourdough is listed in the ingredients and whether any preparation is needed.
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g'woon butter croissants, 4 pieces (180 g)
If you want to spread your croissants across several journeys, this pack contains four, weighing 180 g in total.
Before setting off, check the preparation instructions and use-by date on the packaging. Also read the ingredients if sourdough or allergens matter to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is a croissant with an artisan look automatically a sourdough croissant?
No. An artisan look doesn’t tell you whether it contains sourdough. Check the ingredients or ask the baker if sourdough is a must-have for you.
Does a croissant always contain iodine?
You can’t tell from the product name. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label or ask the baker if you want to know whether it’s been used.
How should I store croissants I buy before a car journey?
If the packaging is unopened, follow the use-by date and storage advice on the label. For an opened croissant, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide recommends keeping it in a kitchen cupboard for two days.
Can I take a filled croissant without a cool box?
It depends on the filling: perishable ingredients need to be kept chilled. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing them at 4 °C and throwing them away if they’ve been out of the fridge for more than two hours.