Who is a half loaf useful for?

A small Christmas gathering

If you’re only planning a few meals with bread, a half loaf may be a better fit for how much you expect to eat. Also think about when you’ll freeze any leftovers; a smaller pack won’t prevent waste on its own.

If you’re looking for wholemeal

You’d like to serve tiger bread, but are looking for a wholemeal version. Check for the word ‘wholemeal’ rather than relying on the colour or tiger-striped crust. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that brown and wholemeal bread aren’t the same thing.

If you need to check ingredients and allergens

If the ingredients are important to your purchase, check the latest packaging or ask for allergen information when buying unpackaged bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must be available before you buy.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, work out how much bread you’ll need over Christmas. Then choose the type of bread and check the information for the specific product before you buy.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Portion size and storage Check that it’s a half loaf and read the storage or freezing advice for the version you’ve chosen. If I’m only having bread a few times with a small group, I don’t want to be left with a whole loaf. Around 45% of consumers prioritise buying the right amount and storing it properly.
White or wholemeal If you prefer wholemeal, look for the word ‘wholemeal’. Compare the nutritional information for specific products on the same basis, for example per 100 g. For me, choosing wholemeal matters more than preferring white tiger bread. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Read the latest allergen information on the packaging or ask for it when buying unpackaged bread. Check the ingredients separately if the type of baker’s salt matters to your choice. I want to know which ingredients and allergens are in this bread before serving it. For around 22% of consumers, checking this is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming brown tiger bread is wholemeal

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread is made from a mix of wholemeal flour and refined flour, while wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. Colour alone doesn’t tell you the difference.

    Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and read the ingredients list if the type of flour matters to your choice.

  • Expecting a half loaf to be eaten automatically

    You can still have bread left over, even if it’s a half loaf. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as one of the foods that is often wasted at home.

    Match your purchase to the meals you’ve planned and freeze some in good time if you won’t use it straight away. It’s best not to keep bread in the fridge, as it dries out.

  • Assuming it contains iodised baker’s salt

    The name ‘tiger bread’ doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in that particular loaf. So don’t assume every version has the same ingredients.

    Check the latest ingredients information or ask the retailer about the loaf you’ve chosen if this matters to your purchase.

  • Skipping the allergen information

    Ingredients vary between loaves, and product information can change. Unpackaged bread may not have a label on the product you’re looking at.

    For pre-packed bread, read the label. For unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information before buying.

Retailers to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists separate half-loaf versions of white and wholemeal tiger bread.

  • Useful if you want to look specifically for a white or wholemeal half loaf.
  • Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change. Check the latest product information and packaging.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists half-loaf versions of white, brown and wholemeal tiger bread in its online bread range.

  • You can compare the bread types listed without treating brown and wholemeal as the same thing.
  • When ordering or shopping in store, check which version is available and what product information applies to it.

PLUS

PLUS provides product information for Korenlanders Boeren tijger volkoren 1/2, including ingredients, allergens and storage advice.

  • For this specific version, you can check the ingredients and freezing advice before buying.
  • PLUS says product information may change. Check the details on the packaging you buy.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How should I store half a loaf of tiger bread if I won’t eat it all straight away?

Freeze the portion you want to eat later in good time, and don’t store bread in the fridge, where it will dry out. Follow the advice on the packaging too: for its Korenlanders Boeren tijger volkoren 1/2, PLUS says you can freeze it on the day of purchase and should use it within one month.

Is brown tiger bread the same as wholemeal tiger bread?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, brown bread is made from a mix of wholemeal flour and refined flour, while wholemeal bread is made from 100% wholemeal flour. So if you’re looking for the wholemeal version, check for the word ‘wholemeal’.

Where can I find allergen information for unpackaged bread?

If the information isn’t displayed, ask at the bakery counter before buying. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for unpackaged products must be made available to consumers in a way other than on a packaging label.

Does half a loaf of tiger bread always contain iodised baker’s salt?

You can’t tell from the name or the size of the loaf. Check the latest ingredients information for the bread you’ve chosen, or ask the retailer which baker’s salt has been used if it matters to your choice.