Choose tiger bread if you’re after its distinctive crust. If you’re looking for the flavour and texture of a particular sourdough, explore the options available; both types of bread also come in wholemeal versions. Check the product description, nutritional information and allergen details for each loaf, and see how it’s sold: Jumbo says its fresh sourdough loaves are only available in store.
You want the bread itself to bring something to the table, as well as the topping. If so, pay attention to the crust and texture described for the loaf you’re considering. Jumbo and Albert Heijn mention long proving times for their sourdough ranges, but that isn’t an independent comparison of flavour.
You want to know what flour the bread is made from, rather than relying on words such as ‘sourdough’, ‘brown’ or ‘tiger’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible.
You prefer to choose a size and way of buying that fits your breakfast routine. Jumbo says its fresh sourdough loaves are only available in store; PLUS lists a 400 g wholemeal tiger loaf as an online product.
First, decide which quality matters most for your savoury breakfast. Then compare the labels of specific loaves: ‘sourdough’ doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal, and neither does a tiger crust.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Flavour and crust | Read the description of the crust and texture of the specific loaf. Don’t treat claims about proving time as proof that one bread tastes better. | If I’m using a simple savoury topping, I mainly want bread with a crust and texture I enjoy. For around 36% of consumers, flavour and crust would be the main reasons for choosing. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and compare the fibre per 100 g on the labels of the loaves you’re considering. | I want a wholemeal base, so I don’t let the bread’s name or colour guide my choice on its own. For around 29% of consumers, choosing wholemeal would come first. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the latest allergen information and compare the salt per 100 g. Check the label if you want to know whether iodised salt has been used. | When ingredients are decisive for me, I want to be able to check the label for the exact loaf. For around 21% of consumers, this would be the main consideration. |
| Availability and storage | Check whether your shop stocks the bread, what size it comes in and whether you’d like to freeze some of it. | If I don’t eat bread for breakfast every day, I want to buy something that suits my storage routine. For around 14% of consumers, that would be the first consideration. |
These words describe different qualities. Albert Heijn sells both a wholemeal OerDesem loaf and an OerDesem loaf made with spelt flour; PLUS explicitly describes its Korenlanders Boeren tijger volkoren as a wholemeal wheat loaf with a tiger-patterned crust.
Read the product description and ingredients for the loaf you’ve chosen. To compare fibre, check the nutritional information per 100 g.
Other ingredients and any stated risk of allergen cross-contamination may also matter. PLUS lists wheat and barley among the ingredients in its wholemeal tiger loaf and notes that other allergens may be present.
Check the latest packaging before buying. For unpackaged bread, ask for the allergen information for that specific loaf.
The size of a loaf matters if you don’t eat bread for breakfast every day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened wholemeal sourdough bread keeps for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer; its quality may deteriorate while frozen.
Choose a size that suits how much you’ll use, or freeze the bread in portions after buying it.
Ingredients and nutritional information can vary between loaves in the same range. Use these examples as a starting point for comparing labels.
The OerDesem range includes several types of bread, including dark multigrain and spelt and buckwheat.
Jumbo describes a range of fresh sourdough loaves baked in store, with different grains and flavours.
PLUS lists Korenlanders Boeren tijger volkoren in a 400 g pack.
ALDI stocks Boeren tijger bread in white, brown and wholemeal varieties, among others.
Dirk stocks Bakker van der Akker Boeren tijger wit heel, a white tiger bread.
No. Sourdough refers to how the bread is made, while ‘tiger’ describes the crust; neither tells you whether a loaf is wholemeal. Read the product description and ingredients for the variety you want to buy. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as often as possible.
For packaged bread, check the latest allergen information on the label. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules on declaring allergens on labels; ask for information about the specific product before buying unpackaged bread.
Look for terms such as ‘iodised salt’ or ‘baker’s salt’ in the ingredients list. Don’t rely on the type of bread alone: Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in its OerDesem donker meergranen, but check other varieties individually.
You can freeze the bread in portions if you won’t use it within a few days. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened wholemeal sourdough bread keeps for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer; its quality may deteriorate the longer it stays frozen.
