Who should choose which type of bread?

Brunch hosts looking for tiger bread

That distinctive crust is an important part of your Mother’s Day breakfast. Compare loaf sizes and check whether your chosen shop has it in stock.

Sourdough lovers

You’re looking for a loaf that is actually described as sourdough. Bear in mind that availability varies by shop: Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are not available to order online.

Shoppers who want to check the label

For you, the wholemeal description, allergen information or type of salt used matters more than the crust. Check these details for each product: the name tiger bread or sourdough does not tell you everything you need to know.

What should you look for when choosing?

Tiger bread

Choose this if: the distinctive tiger crust is a must-have for your brunch table.

Bear in mind: a tiger crust does not confirm that the bread is made with sourdough.

Sourdough

Choose this if: you want a loaf that is explicitly described as sourdough.

Bear in mind: Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are only available in store.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Crust and appearance Check the name and size of the loaf, and find out whether your chosen shop has it in stock. For Mother’s Day breakfast, I mainly want to serve a loaf with a distinctive tiger crust. That crust is the top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Sourdough and availability Look for an explicit sourdough description and check whether you can order the loaf or need to buy it in store. For brunch, I want to choose a loaf that is described as sourdough, even if that means going to the shop. Around 30% of consumers put sourdough first.
Label information Read the wholemeal description, ingredients and allergen information. Check which salt has been used if that affects your choice. Before buying, I want to know what’s in the bread rather than relying on its colour or name. Around 30% of consumers put checking the label first.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming tiger bread is sourdough

    Jumbo and PLUS list tiger bread and sourdough as separate products. You can’t tell from a tiger crust whether sourdough has been used.

    If you want both qualities, look for a sourdough description on the specific tiger bread or ask the baker.

  • Assuming the bread contains baker’s salt from its name

    Not all bread is made with baker’s salt. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers don’t always use it. The name tiger bread or sourdough does not tell you which salt has been used.

    For packaged bread, read the ingredients list. If you’re buying an unwrapped loaf, ask which salt has been used.

  • Confusing a brown or rustic appearance with wholemeal

    The colour and crust are no substitute for the product description. A loaf that looks rustic is not automatically wholemeal.

    Look for an explicit wholemeal description and check the ingredients list if the type of grain matters to you.

  • Assuming every loaf is available to order online

    Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are not available to order online. Albert Heijn and Lidl also state that the bread products mentioned are only available in store.

    Shortly before your Mother’s Day breakfast, check how the loaf is sold and whether it’s available at the shop where you plan to buy it.

Brands and shops to explore

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists an 800 g Tiger Bread Wheat loaf and says it is only available in store.

  • A specific option to look at if you’re after tiger bread.
  • The product page does not confirm that this loaf is made with sourdough. Check the latest product information for ingredients and allergens.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists White and Brown Farmhouse Tiger Bread alongside a separate range of rustic sourdough loaves.

  • Jumbo says its sourdough range is made with fresh sourdough starter and has a proving time of more than 24 hours.
  • Jumbo says the sourdough loaves described are only available in store. Information about its sourdough range does not mean its tiger breads are sourdough too.

Lidl

Lidl lists a Rustic Wholemeal Sourdough Loaf, which the product page says is only available in store.

  • The product name mentions both wholemeal and sourdough.
  • The product page does not confirm that it has a tiger crust. Check the product information if ingredients or allergens will determine your choice.

PLUS

PLUS lists Korenlanders Farmhouse Tiger Bread and separate Korenlanders sourdough loaves in its bread range.

  • You can compare the product names for both types of bread side by side.
  • Having both types in the range does not confirm that a particular tiger bread is also sourdough.

Dirk

Dirk lists Bakker van der Akker Farmhouse White Tiger Bread as a whole loaf, and lists sourdough separately in its bread range.

  • The product page gives you a specific white tiger bread option to compare.
  • The sourdough description for the range does not confirm that this tiger bread is made with sourdough.

Joybuy products

Related products will appear soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does tiger bread or sourdough always contain baker’s salt?

No, the name of the bread doesn’t tell you which salt has been used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says bakers don’t always use baker’s salt. If this matters to you, read the ingredients list or ask the baker.

Is brown tiger bread the same as wholemeal sourdough?

No, the colour or tiger crust does not confirm that the bread is made with wholemeal flour or sourdough. Look for both descriptions on the specific product and check the ingredients list.

Can I tell from the name tiger bread or sourdough whether it’s gluten-free?

No, neither name confirms that a product is gluten-free. Check the gluten-free description and allergen information for the specific loaf rather than relying on its crust or how it is made.

Can I order sourdough online for a Mother’s Day brunch?

It depends on the product and the shop. Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are not available to order online, while Lidl describes its Rustic Wholemeal Sourdough Loaf as only available in store. Check whether you can order it or buy it in store shortly before you shop.