Who is this choice important for?

Anyone choosing bread for the Christmas table

If the crust and presentation matter, tiger bread is worth considering. Check separately whether the product is also labelled as sourdough.

Anyone specifically looking for sourdough

Look for a clear sourdough label on the product. Bear the retailer in mind when planning your shop: Jumbo says its sourdough loaves described here are available in store only.

Anyone checking labels for guests

If your guests have different preferences or relevant allergies, the ingredients and allergen information for your chosen loaf matter more than its colour or crust. For unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information before buying, as advised by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether the tiger crust or an explicit sourdough label matters most to you. Then check whether each loaf is wholemeal, its allergen information, and how it can be bought or prepared.

Tiger bread

Choose this if: a tiger crust is what you want for your Christmas table.

Bear in mind: the name alone tells you nothing about whether it is sourdough or wholemeal.

Sourdough

Choose this if: sourdough is a must and the specific loaf is labelled as such.

Bear in mind: sourdough doesn’t automatically have a tiger crust. Jumbo also says that the sourdough range described here is available in store only.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Crust and presentation Check whether the loaf is whole, pre-sliced or ready to bake. PLUS says its part-baked Korenlanders Boeren tijger wit takes 6–8 minutes to bake. For my Christmas table, I want a loaf with a tiger crust that stands out and suits the way I’m serving it; for around 42% of consumers, the crust comes first.
Explicit sourdough label Look for ‘sourdough’ in the product name or information, and check that you can buy the loaf through your preferred channel. If I want sourdough, I don’t want to have to guess from a rustic appearance. Around 33% of consumers give a clear sourdough label top priority.
Label and allergens Check whether the product is labelled as wholemeal, and read the ingredients and allergen information. For unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information. Check whether baker’s salt is listed if that’s relevant to your choice. For my guests, I want to know what bread I’m buying and which allergens it contains, rather than judging by its colour; this product information matters most to around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a tiger crust means it’s sourdough

    You could end up buying a loaf with the crust you want, but without the sourdough you’re looking for.

    Check separately for ‘sourdough’ on the packaging, product page or shelf label.

  • Treating brown and wholemeal as the same thing

    A brown interior or dark crust doesn’t confirm that a loaf is wholemeal.

    If wholemeal is a must, look for an explicit wholemeal label. Then assess the crust and sourdough separately.

  • Checking allergen information only after buying

    Allergen information varies by product and is important when you’re buying for guests with a relevant allergy.

    Read the label on packaged bread. For unpackaged bread, ask for allergen information before buying, as advised by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.

  • Buying bread early without planning how to store it

    Bread that dries out before you serve it may no longer suit your plans for the Christmas table.

    Freeze any bread you won’t use in time, and avoid storing it in the fridge; this is also the storage advice from the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. Plan to bake part-baked bread close to serving time.

Brands and ranges to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists Tijgerbrood tarwe, 800 g, as a product available in store only.

  • The product page clearly states the type of bread, pack size and where it’s sold.
  • The name doesn’t confirm that it’s sourdough; check the current ingredients and allergen information for the loaf.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a range of breads specifically marketed as sourdough.

  • According to Jumbo, the range is made with fresh sourdough and the loaves are left to rise for more than 24 hours.
  • Jumbo says these loaves are available in store only; the sourdough range isn’t labelled as tiger bread.

Lidl

Lidl lists a Rustiek volkoren desembrood, described as a wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf.

  • The product description makes it clear that the loaf is both wholemeal and sourdough.
  • The product is listed as available in store only and isn’t labelled as tiger bread. Check the specific ingredients and allergen information.

ALDI

ALDI lists a whole, pre-sliced Boeren tijger volkorenbrood.

  • The product name mentions both the tiger crust and the wholemeal variety.
  • The name doesn’t confirm that it’s sourdough; check the product information and availability when you buy.

PLUS

PLUS lists Korenlanders Boeren tijger wit as a part-baked white wheat loaf.

  • The product information includes ingredients, allergens and baking instructions.
  • The product contains wheat and cereals containing gluten, and isn’t labelled as sourdough.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Boeren tijger bruin heel, described as a whole brown loaf with a tiger crust.

  • The product name distinguishes this brown tiger bread from a white variety.
  • The word ‘brown’ doesn’t confirm that it’s wholemeal or sourdough; check those details for the specific product.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is tiger bread automatically sourdough?

No, a tiger crust doesn’t confirm that a loaf is made with sourdough. Look for an explicit sourdough label on the bread you want to buy; the tiger breads described by Albert Heijn, ALDI, PLUS and Dirk aren’t labelled as sourdough.

How do I choose wholemeal bread for the Christmas table?

Look for an explicit wholemeal label on the specific loaf, rather than relying on a brown colour or tiger crust. Then check separately whether it also meets your requirements for sourdough or baking at home.

How do I check allergens in unpackaged bread?

Before you buy, ask the bakery section about allergens in the specific loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that sellers of unpackaged food must tell consumers about any allergens it contains, so don’t rely on the product name or appearance alone.

Where should I check if baker’s salt matters to my choice of bread?

For packaged bread, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt; for unpackaged bread, ask whether it’s used. Don’t assume it’s used based on the labels tiger bread, sourdough or wholemeal.

How should I store bread bought before Christmas?

Freeze any bread you won’t use in time, and avoid storing it in the fridge, where it dries out according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. For opened wholemeal sourdough, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing it in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Tailor your plans to the bread you actually buy.