For an Easter lunch with generous toppings, choose bread and check that you can specify how thick you want the slices. Wholemeal farmhouse loaves, coarse wholemeal bread and wholemeal sourdough are options to compare for texture, ingredients and allergens, but none of these names guarantees thick slices. Nor does ‘whole’ prove that a loaf will be supplied unsliced: Albert Heijn describes one of its loaves as ‘whole, sliced’.
For toppings such as egg mayonnaise, salmon, cheese or vegetables, you’ll want to choose how thick the slices are. So check the slicing options and consider the bread’s texture rather than relying on the type of bread or the word ‘whole’ alone.
If 100% wholemeal flour is your criterion, check that ‘wholemeal’ appears on the packaging. The Voedingscentrum makes this distinction for bread; you can then compare the taste, ingredients and nutritional information of each product.
If you don’t want to rely on a shop being open on Easter Sunday, check your local branch’s opening hours in good time. The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you plan to use it later.
If you’re looking for bread with substantial or thick-cut slices for Easter lunch, start by checking the slicing options. Then compare the type of bread and its ingredients, and plan when to buy or freeze it.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and texture | Ask whether the bread is available unsliced or can be cut thickly. Don’t rely on ‘whole’ in the name alone. | If I’m serving generous toppings, I want to choose the slice thickness myself and consider how the bread’s texture will work with them. This is the most important factor for around 45% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and ingredients | Check for the word ‘wholemeal’ and compare the ingredients and nutritional information, including fibre per 100 g. | If wholemeal flour is my starting point, I want to be able to identify it on the packaging and compare different types of bread. Around 36% of consumers give this choice their top priority. |
| Buying and storing | Check your local branch’s opening hours and the storage advice; freeze the bread in portions after buying it if needed. | When I shop in advance, I want to be able to store the bread without relying on a shop being open on Easter Sunday. This is the main consideration for around 19% of consumers. |
A whole loaf may already be sliced. For example, Albert Heijn describes its OerDesem volkoren Allinson as ‘whole, sliced’.
Ask the shop or bakery counter specifically for an unsliced loaf or thick slices, and confirm the slicing options.
These terms don’t mean the same thing. According to the Voedingscentrum, ‘wholemeal’ describes bread made with 100% wholemeal flour; the colour or number of grains named won’t tell you this.
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ if that’s your criterion, then compare the ingredients and nutritional information.
The type and colour of bread aren’t a reliable way to tell which allergens a particular loaf contains. The Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit highlights the allergen information on the label of pre-packed products.
Read the current label before buying. If someone at the table needs allergen information, ask for it when buying unpackaged bread.
According to the Rijksoverheid, Sunday opening varies by municipality. So there’s no guarantee that the branch you want to shop at will be open on Easter Sunday.
Check the opening hours of your chosen branch. If you buy the bread earlier, you can freeze it in portions as soon as you get home, following the Voedingscentrum’s advice.
A useful option if you want to assess a described wholemeal sourdough loaf for its texture and ingredients.
A useful point of comparison when considering coarse wholemeal bread alongside other wholemeal loaves.
An option for checking the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for a fine wholemeal loaf online.
A useful option if you’re considering a wholemeal farmhouse loaf for lunch.
A brand to consider if you’re thinking of buying a tiger wholemeal farmhouse loaf in store.
A useful point of reference for comparing different wholemeal, multigrain and farmhouse loaves.
No, not necessarily: Albert Heijn describes AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson as ‘whole, sliced’. Ask your chosen shop whether the bread is available unsliced or can be cut thickly.
Check whether ‘wholemeal’ appears on the packaging. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread labelled this way is made with 100% wholemeal flour; colour alone won’t tell you.
For pre-packed bread, read the current label; the Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit states that allergen information must be shown there. Before choosing unpackaged bread, ask what allergen information is available.
Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf for baker’s salt or iodised salt. PLUS lists baker’s salt for Rond fijn volkoren heel, while Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson; don’t assume every loaf has the same ingredients.
Yes, as long as you store it properly. The Voedingscentrum recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it and taking out what you need. Also check the storage advice on the packaging.
