Tiger Bread for a Coffee Morning: Crust or Wholemeal?

Who is this for?

Hosts planning what to serve

You want the bread on the table at just the right moment. A crisp tiger crust, the size of the loaf and any baking time all factor into your choice.

Shoppers comparing fibre

You’re specifically looking for wholemeal tiger bread and comparing fibre per 100 g. The colour of the crust or crumb alone won’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal.

Shoppers who need to check ingredients

You want to know which ingredients and allergens are in your chosen loaf before you buy it. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask the shop for allergen information; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the information requirements for unpackaged foods.

What should you look for when choosing?

White, brown and wholemeal describe the type of bread; whether it can be baked at home is a separate consideration. Decide what matters most for your coffee morning, then check the details of the specific variety.

What to consider	What to check when buying	Who it matters to
Crust and serving time	Check whether the bread is ready to serve or needs baking, and if so, follow the time and temperature on the packaging.	If I want the bread on the table just before coffee, the serving time needs to fit around the preparation. For around 25% of consumers, presentation would be the top priority.
Fibre and wholemeal	Look for the explicit ‘wholemeal’ label and compare fibre per 100 g; don’t rely on a brown colour alone.	If fibre is your main consideration, the bread name alone isn’t enough to compare varieties. This would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers.
Loaf size and convenience	Compare whole and half loaves, and check the storage instructions if you’re buying in advance.	For a small gathering, I want enough slices without being left with a large amount of bread. Around 25% of consumers would put loaf size and preparation first.
Ingredients and allergens	Read the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety; compare salt per 100 g if it matters to your choice.	If I need to take ingredients or allergens into account for my guests, I want to be able to check them before buying. For around 19% of consumers, this check would be the most important purchase requirement.

Which common misconceptions can you avoid?

Assuming ‘premium’ is a recognised quality mark

The word doesn’t tell you which crust, type of bread or preparation method is right for your coffee morning.

Look for details you can check, such as loaf size, a wholemeal label, baking instructions and ingredient information.
Assuming brown bread is automatically wholemeal

For the PLUS Korenlanders varieties reviewed, PLUS lists 4.6 g of fibre per 100 g for Boeren tijger bruin 1/2 and 6.4 g per 100 g for Boeren tijger volkoren 1/2. So a brown colour is no substitute for the product description.

Look specifically for ‘wholemeal’ and compare the nutritional information for the varieties you’re considering.
Checking for allergens only after you’ve bought it

A loaf that looks right or is the right type of bread may still not be suitable for every guest. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, information about allergens present must also be available for unpackaged foods.

For packaged bread, check the label, including any ‘may contain’ information. For loose bread, ask the shop for allergen information before you buy.
Expecting every tiger bread to contain the same type of salt

Products may list iodised salt or baker’s salt in their ingredients. A listing on one variety doesn’t tell you what’s in another loaf.

Read the ingredients list for the bread you choose, and ask for product information if you’re buying unpackaged bread.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn provides product information for a range of breads, including white and wholemeal tiger bread.

For the varieties reviewed, you can check fibre, salt, allergens and storage information for each product.
Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so check the packaging too.

Jumbo

Jumbo has Boeren Tijger varieties in white and wholemeal, including one called Knapperig en Vers.

The product information for these varieties includes fibre values per 100 g and ingredients you can compare.
The product name alone doesn’t tell you which type of bread, quantity or storage instructions apply to your choice.

PLUS

PLUS has reviewed half-size Korenlanders Boeren tijger varieties in brown and wholemeal.

For the wholemeal variety, PLUS gives baking instructions of 10 minutes at 200 °C and lists 6.4 g of fibre per 100 g.
Baking it at home means allowing time for the oven; check the latest instructions and ingredients on the packaging.

Dirk

At Dirk, you may find whole loaves of Boeren tijger wit heel and Boeren tijger bruin heel from Bakker van der Akker.

The two product names make it clear whether you’re looking at a whole white or whole brown loaf.
Check the nutritional information, ingredients and allergens on the loaf itself if they matter to your choice.

ALDI

ALDI lists whole loaves of Boeren tijger bruin heel and Boeren tijger volkoren heel; the wholemeal variety is described as pre-sliced.

These loaves let you choose between a brown variety and one explicitly labelled wholemeal.
Check the information for the specific loaf in store for nutritional values and allergens.

Lidl

Lidl is an option if you want to choose freshly baked bread in store.

Lidl says that bread is baked in its stores.
The fresh range can vary by store; ask for ingredient and allergen information for the bread you choose.

Tiger bread at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does tiger bread for a coffee morning need to be wholemeal?

No. If you mainly want to compare fibre, a variety explicitly labelled wholemeal is a good place to start; if you prefer a light, airy white crumb, white tiger bread may be a better choice. Don’t assume brown bread is wholemeal, and check the description of the loaf you choose.

Can I buy tiger bread before my coffee morning?

Yes, as long as the storage instructions for your chosen variety fit your plans. Albert Heijn says AH Tijger volkoren heel and Jumbo says Boeren Tijger Volkoren Knapperig en Vers can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. If you want to bake it just before serving, PLUS gives a baking time of 10 minutes at 200 °C for Korenlanders Boeren tijger volkoren 1/2; always follow the packaging.

How do I check allergens in loose tiger bread?

Ask for allergen information about the specific loaf before you buy it. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, sellers of unpackaged foods must inform customers about allergens present. For pre-packed bread, check the label.

Is online ingredient information enough to choose a loaf?

Use a product page to compare varieties in advance, but check the information for your chosen loaf when you buy it. Albert Heijn and PLUS note that product information can change; if you’re buying unpackaged bread, you can ask the shop for ingredient and allergen information.