For welcoming visitors with a traditional treat
If you want to serve the familiar round rusk topped with aniseed sprinkles, ordinary rusks fit with the Dutch birth tradition described by Bolletje.
Which base is right for you?
For hosts looking for a different base
If you’d prefer a piece of toast that guests can easily hold or top, check the shape and how fragile the specific product is. The words ‘thick cut’ alone don’t tell you how well it will hold up when topped.
For shoppers checking ingredients or allergens
If your treat needs to meet a particular dietary preference or allergen requirement, compare the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re actually buying.
What should you look for when choosing?
Start with the kind of treat you want to serve: traditional rusks with aniseed sprinkles, or a different bite-sized option. Then check whether your chosen base suits your guests’ dietary requirements and the number of treats you want to prepare.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Shape of the treat | Choose round rusks for a traditional presentation; with toast, check its shape and how the aniseed sprinkles will stick. | I want to serve rusks with aniseed sprinkles as visitors after a new baby would expect, rather than accidentally turning them into a different kind of treat. For around 46% of consumers, this presentation comes first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergen information and check whether the exact packaging carries a gluten-free label. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in the base I choose. For around 27% of consumers, suitability is the main concern. |
| Practical shopping | Check the pack size and, where stated, the number of pieces per pack; assess how fragile toast is separately. | When expecting more visitors, I want to be able to prepare enough suitable treats without relying on the pack weight alone. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this practical consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a large piece of toast is a thick, sturdy slice
Size and thickness aren’t the same thing. Jumbo describes Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel as bread that’s cut into thin slices and then toasted; this doesn’t tell you how fragile other types of toast are.
Check the product description and the shape shown on the packaging. If sturdiness is essential for your treat, try topping the toast you’ve chosen first.
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Topping all your treats well in advance
A crisp base may change texture if it’s left topped for too long. For a treat made with ladyfingers and aniseed sprinkles, Jumbo advises not making them too far ahead.
Add the sticky layer and aniseed sprinkles as close to serving time as possible if you want to keep the base crisp.
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Assuming which salt is used in rusks or toast
The product category doesn’t tell you whether the version you’ve chosen contains iodised baker’s salt.
If this matters to your choice, read the ingredients list or ask the baker which salt was used in the product.
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Overlooking other allergens in gluten-free toast
A gluten-free label doesn’t mean a product is free from all other allergens. For the Van der Meulen Rice Toast Original described by Jumbo, you should also check for possible sesame and soya.
Check all relevant allergen information on the exact packaging, not just the gluten-free label.
Brands to consider
Bolletje
Bolletje sells Echte and Volkoren Beschuit and links rusks with aniseed sprinkles to the Dutch birth tradition.
- A good option if you want a traditional round-rusk presentation.
- You’ll still need to check the latest ingredients and allergen information for the specific pack you choose.
Van der Meulen / Melba Toast
Jumbo describes Van der Meulen Melba Toast Naturel as toast made from thin slices of bread. Van der Meulen Rice Toast Original is separately labelled gluten-free.
- These two products offer different types of toast to consider separately.
- Melba Toast Naturel isn’t proven to be thick toast. Check the allergen information for each product; with Rice Toast Original, you should also look out for possible sesame and soya.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers different types of toast alongside products for treats topped with aniseed sprinkles.
- The product descriptions make it easier to compare shapes and pack sizes.
- A range overview doesn’t tell you how thick or resistant to breaking an individual piece of toast is; check the pack you’ve chosen.
Toast as an alternative on Joybuy
This round Melba toast is an option if you’re deliberately considering toast instead of ordinary rusks for your treat. Its round shape alone doesn’t tell you how thick or fragile it is.
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Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round 100 g
A round piece of toast to consider if you want to use something other than ordinary rusks for your aniseed-sprinkle treat.
The pack contains 100 g. If you’re looking for a less fragile base, check the dimensions and ingredients, and see how well the toast holds up when topped.
Frequently asked questions
Is thick toast a better base for aniseed sprinkles than rusks?
Not necessarily. Choose rusks for a traditional round treat, and toast if you deliberately want a different shape. A description such as ‘thick cut’ doesn’t prove that a piece of toast is less likely to break when topped; assess the specific product separately.
How do I get aniseed sprinkles to stick to toast or another base?
A layer of butter or margarine can help the aniseed sprinkles stick. You can then dip or roll the base in them. Jumbo uses this method for ladyfingers with aniseed sprinkles and advises not preparing them too far in advance.
Can I tell from the word ‘toast’ whether iodised baker’s salt has been used?
No, the product name doesn’t tell you which salt is in the toast you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre makes clear that you can’t assume baker’s salt has been used; check the ingredients list or ask the baker if this matters to your choice.
What should I check if I want to serve gluten-free toast with aniseed sprinkles?
Check that the exact toast pack is labelled gluten-free, and read all the allergen information as well. Jumbo labels Van der Meulen Rice Toast Original as gluten-free, but also mentions possible sesame and soya; this label doesn’t automatically apply to other toast products.