Who is each type of toast for?

Families who make toasted sandwiches

For hot toasted sandwiches and generously topped lunches, look for soft slices in a size that suits your fillings. Thin party toast serves a different purpose.

Families who enjoy drinks and snacks

If you’re preparing small, crisp bites for several people, the shape of the toast and the quantity in the pack matter more than a large, soft slice.

Families who compare food labels

Once you’ve chosen a product type, you can check the ingredients, nutrition information and allergens for each variety. Wholemeal and plain varieties don’t necessarily have the same ingredients.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you need soft slices for toasted sandwiches or small, crisp pieces of toast. Then consider how much you’ll use and whether you can store the rest.

Soft sandwich bread

Choose this for: toasted sandwiches and generously topped slices when you’re after soft bread.

Bear in mind: you may need to freeze the bread in portions if you buy a large pack.

Crisp toast or melba toast

Choose this for: small bites with drinks, soup or a snack.

Bear in mind: melba toast is thin and is not a like-for-like replacement for a soft slice of bread for a toasted sandwich.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Size and texture Check that it’s soft sandwich bread and look at the actual slices; the term ‘thick-sliced’ doesn’t, on its own, specify a standard size. For toasted sandwiches or generous toppings, I want a soft slice that’s large enough. Around 50% of consumers put this need first.
Pack size and storage Compare the pack size and number of portions with what you’ll use; read the storage advice and check whether freezing is suitable. If we won’t get through all the bread quickly, I want to store the rest in useful portions. Around 30% of consumers put this first.
Type of crisp toast Check whether you’re buying small, thin melba toast or another type of crisp toast; if you like, compare the nutrition information per 100 g. For drinks or small snacks, I want toast that suits the toppings and the number of people eating. This is a priority for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing melba toast with sandwich bread

    Van der Meulen melba toast, as described by Jumbo, is cut into thin slices and toasted until crisp. It’s different from the soft slice of bread you need for a toasted sandwich.

    Choose the product type first, then check the size of the individual slices.

  • Buying a large pack of bread without a storage plan

    A larger pack won’t help if some of the bread goes uneaten. The Voedingscentrum advises freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it, then taking out only what you need each time.

    Choose a pack size that suits how much you use and read the storage advice on the label.

  • Judging nutrition from the colour or product name

    A brown colour doesn’t tell you how much wholemeal flour or fibre a particular type of toast contains. Soft and crisp varieties can also have different ingredients.

    Check the ingredients list and compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as fibre per 100 g.

  • Assuming all toast is made with baker’s salt

    According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use iodised baker’s salt. So you can’t tell which salt is used in a particular toast product just from its category.

    If the type of salt matters to you, check the ingredients on the pack.

Brands and shops to compare

Compare specific products within each range: sandwich bread, crisp toast and melba toast come in different forms and are used in different ways.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers both its own-brand sandwich bread and crisp toast pieces.

  • The Jumbo Wholemeal Sandwich Bread - Half product page states that each pack contains around 11 portions.
  • The number of portions doesn’t tell you how thick the individual slices are; check the product itself for that.

Van der Meulen Melba

Melba toast is an option for small, crisp bites.

  • The plain variety described is made from thinly sliced, toasted bread; the wholemeal rounds are described as super-thin.
  • If you’re looking for a large, soft slice for a toasted sandwich, this product type isn’t suitable.

Albert Heijn

The toast range includes different types of product, including party toast and melba toast.

  • The range gives you options to compare product types and pack sizes.
  • Check the ingredients, nutrition information and dimensions that matter to you for each product.

ALDI

ALDI’s range overview shows several types of crisp toast.

  • These include crisp wheat toast in a 250 g pack.
  • A range overview doesn’t tell you which varieties are available in a particular shop when you visit.

Bolletje

Bolletje is worth considering if you’re comparing crispbreads and crackers as well as toast.

  • The range includes crisp bread products for other occasions.
  • Crispbread or crackers aren’t necessarily a substitute for soft sandwich bread.

Lidl

When doing the family shop at Lidl, you can look for toast and long-life bread.

  • Checking the shelf lets you see the product type and pack for yourself.
  • Base your choice on the label of the specific product, not just the name of the shop category.

Toast products on Joybuy

These Danish Toast products are options to consider for a soft snack or sandwich. For both varieties, check whether the individual slices are the right size for a substantial toasted sandwich or generous toppings.

Thinmax Golden Danish Toast, 4 × 85 g

Thinmax Golden Danish Toast, 4 × 85 g

Worth considering if you’re looking for toast for sandwiches or snacks. The pack contains 4 × 85 g; check the slice dimensions and storage instructions after opening.

View on Joybuy
Thinmax Xinmaichao New Mak Chiu-Golden Danish Toast, 85 g

Thinmax Xinmaichao New Mak Chiu-Golden Danish Toast, 85 g

Worth considering for a sandwich or small snack. This variety is listed as 85 g; check that the slices are large enough for your toppings and read the storage instructions.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is melba toast the same as thick-sliced toast?

No. The Van der Meulen melba toast described here is thin and crisp. If you’re looking for soft slices for toasted sandwiches, look for sandwich bread and check the actual slice thickness on the pack or in the shop.

How should I store sandwich bread for a large family?

Freeze any bread you won’t use soon in portions as soon as you buy it. The Voedingscentrum advises taking only what you need from the freezer for each occasion; also follow the storage advice on the pack.

Where can I find allergen information for toast?

For pre-packed toast, check the allergen information and ingredients list for the variety you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the mandatory allergen information on labels; don’t assume that different types of sandwich bread and melba toast have the same ingredients.

Does all toast in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. For a specific pre-packed product, check the ingredients list to see which salt has been used; if the bread isn’t pre-packed, ask if necessary.