Choose tiger bread if you’re looking for a distinctive crust and a loaf to share at the table. If you specifically want bread made with sourdough, choose a variety that is clearly labelled as sourdough and check the ingredients: a tiger crust or sourdough powder alone doesn’t confirm how the bread was leavened. When choosing, also check the allergens and whether the bread is ready to serve, needs baking or is only available in store.
If the bread itself is meant to be a feature of the table, look for one that is clearly labelled as sourdough. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between bread leavened with sourdough and bread leavened with baker’s yeast, so a sourdough ingredient in tiger bread isn’t enough to make that choice.
If you mainly want bread to slice and share with your meal, compare tiger breads by size and type. Albert Heijn, ALDI, PLUS and Dirk all list tiger bread varieties, but the name alone doesn’t tell you how the bread was leavened.
Check the latest information about ingredients, cereals containing gluten and any cross-contamination warnings. If the use of baker’s salt or iodised salt matters to your choice, check each loaf individually or ask the baker.
Choose this when: You’re looking for bread that is clearly labelled as sourdough, for example to serve with dips and savoury toppings.
Things to consider: Sourdough doesn’t automatically have a tiger crust. Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are made with fresh sourdough starter and left to rise for more than 24 hours, but those loaves are only available in store.
Choose this when: A tiger crust and a loaf you can slice at the table are your priorities.
Things to consider: Tiger bread isn’t automatically sourdough. For its Boeren wit tijger heel, PLUS lists both baker’s yeast and inactivated wheat sourdough powder.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sourdough and flavour | Look for a clear sourdough description and check whether the ingredients also include baker’s yeast if you want bread without added baker’s yeast. | If the bread is meant to add its own distinct flavour alongside the meal, I want to be able to choose a sourdough variety knowingly. This sourdough and flavour choice is a priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Crust and serving time | Compare whole loaves, sharing loaves and bake-at-home rolls. For bake-at-home bread, check the instructions and make sure you have enough oven space. | I want to be able to share the bread easily or bake it just before serving. The crust and serving time are the main considerations for around 33% of consumers. |
| Label information | Check the latest allergen information, the types of grain used and whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed. | If guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what I’m serving; the type of salt may also influence my choice. This label check is the most important factor for around 25% of consumers. |
The name ‘tiger bread’ doesn’t tell you what the bread was leavened with. For its Boeren wit tijger heel, PLUS lists both baker’s yeast and inactivated wheat sourdough powder.
If you want bread leavened with sourdough rather than added baker’s yeast, check both the product description and the full ingredients list.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Whether it’s included therefore varies from loaf to loaf.
Check the salt information on the packaging, or ask which salt was used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
A bread’s name or picture doesn’t give you all the information about allergens or possible cross-contamination.
Check the latest packaging, including any ‘may contain’ warnings. For unpackaged bread, ask a shop assistant or baker for the allergen information.
Sourdough that’s only available in store calls for different shopping plans from bake-at-home rolls, which need oven space.
Check that the exact variety is available and read the baking instructions for bake-at-home bread before planning your menu.
A good place to compare tiger bread with separately labelled OerDesem varieties.
An option if you’re looking for clearly described sourdough to serve with your meal.
Worth considering if you’re specifically looking for wholemeal wheat sourdough.
A place to browse white, brown and wholemeal tiger breads as separate bread types.
Useful if you want to compare tiger bread varieties by ingredients and preparation method.
A bread range that lists sourdough and tiger bread as separate types.
No. A tiger crust doesn’t tell you what the bread was leavened with. For its Boeren wit tijger heel, PLUS lists baker’s yeast and inactivated wheat sourdough powder; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes sourdough as bread made with sourdough starter instead of baker’s yeast. So check the ingredients for the exact variety.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the packaging or, for unpackaged bread, ask which salt has been added.
Check the latest packaging, including any ‘may contain’ warnings, or ask the baker or a shop assistant for allergen information if you’re buying unpackaged bread. Don’t rely on the bread’s name alone: for example, the PLUS tiger bread products checked contained wheat.
Follow the instructions on your chosen packaging and make sure you have oven space just before serving. For PLUS Tijgerbollen, PLUS recommends 6–8 minutes in a preheated oven at 200 °C. Don’t assume the same time and temperature will apply to another product without checking.
