Choose tiger bread if you’re mainly looking for a distinctive crust and a soft crumb to enjoy with coffee and cake. If you specifically want a loaf made using a described sourdough process, choose a sourdough loaf and check that it also has the crust you want. A tiger crust doesn’t tell you anything about the proving process, so compare the description and ingredients of the loaf you’re thinking of buying.
Are you mainly after bread with a distinctive tiger crust and a soft crumb to enjoy with coffee and cake? Then tiger bread is a natural choice, even if sourdough isn’t a requirement. Albert Heijn describes its tiger white bread as soft bread with a marbled crust.
Do you want to know whether sourdough is used and how the seller describes the proving process? Albert Heijn mentions natural sourdough in its OerDesem; Jumbo describes its rustic sourdough loaves as being made with fresh sourdough. These loaves don’t automatically have a tiger crust.
If you want wholemeal bread with a tiger pattern, compare the nutritional information per 100 g. Jumbo lists 7.3 g of fibre per 100 g for Boeren Tijger Volkoren; this figure applies to this specific loaf.
First decide whether the tiger crust, a described sourdough process or a wholemeal base matters most to you. Then check the details on the packaging or product page for the specific loaf.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger crust and crumb | Look for a tiger pattern or marbled crust, and check whether the loaf is white, brown or wholemeal. | If I mainly want a distinctive tiger crust and soft crumb to enjoy with coffee and cake, the loaf doesn’t have to be sourdough. Around 33% of consumers prioritise the crust and crumb. |
| Sourdough process | Check how the sourdough and proving process are described for this loaf; also see whether it’s available online or only in store. | I want a loaf with a clearly described sourdough process, even if that means going without a tiger crust. For around 42% of consumers, the sourdough process matters most. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Compare the stated fibre content per 100 g and check whether the loaf is described as wholemeal. If you wish, also check whether baker’s salt is listed among the ingredients. | If wholemeal bread and a stated fibre value matter more than the crust or sourdough for this occasion, you shouldn’t judge by the colour of the bread alone. For around 25% of consumers, wholemeal and fibre matter most. |
A tiger crust and a sourdough process are different product features. Jumbo describes Boeren Tijger Volkoren as wholemeal wheat bread with a tiger pattern, while Albert Heijn specifically mentions natural sourdough for OerDesem.
If you’re looking for both features, check the crust description and sourdough information separately.
According to Voedingscentrum, bread isn’t always baked with baker’s salt. So the type of bread alone won’t tell you whether this ingredient has been used.
If baker’s salt matters to you, read the ingredients on the packaging or ask the baker.
A dark colour or artisan-style appearance is no substitute for nutritional information. Tiger bread can also vary in type: Jumbo, for example, lists a wholemeal variety with 7.3 g of fibre per 100 g.
Compare the bread description, ingredients and fibre per 100 g. If you have an allergy, check the latest allergen information too.
Jumbo states that its rustic sourdough loaves can’t be ordered online. Lidl describes its rustic wholemeal sourdough bread as available in store only.
Check how the loaf you want to buy is sold before relying on being able to order it online.
Albert Heijn offers both AH Extra lang lekker tijger wit and the separate AH OerDesem donker meergranen.
Jumbo offers Boeren Tijger Volkoren, as well as a separate range of rustic sourdough loaves.
Lidl describes its rustic wholemeal sourdough bread as wholemeal wheat sourdough bread.
ALDI describes Boeren tijger bruin as brown bread with a distinctive tiger crust.
PLUS lists several loaves in its bread category, including Korenlanders Desem Meergranen Boekweit and Korenlanders Desem Wit.
Dirk lists both sourdough and tiger brown bread in its bread category.
No, a tiger crust doesn’t confirm that a sourdough process has been used. Jumbo describes Boeren Tijger Volkoren as wholemeal wheat bread with a tiger pattern. If you’re looking for sourdough, check how the sourdough and proving process are described on the packaging or product page for the specific loaf.
No. According to Voedingscentrum, bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. Check the ingredients or ask the baker if you want to know whether the loaf you’ve chosen contains baker’s salt.
Check the latest allergen information for the specific loaf, even if you already know what type of bread it is. According to Voedingscentrum, common allergens must be listed; ingredients can vary from product to product.
Follow the storage instructions for the loaf you buy. Albert Heijn says that AH Extra lang lekker tijger wit heel can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; don’t assume the same applies to other tiger breads.
No, availability varies by loaf. Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves can’t be ordered online, while Lidl describes its rustic wholemeal sourdough bread as available in store only. So check how the variety you want to buy is sold.
