For a small group sharing several dishes from around the world, half a tiger loaf is a good starting portion if you want to avoid leftovers. Choose a variety explicitly labelled as wholemeal if fibre content matters to you; half a white tiger loaf is a good option if you mainly want bread to serve with soup or dips. For both varieties, check the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging.
Half a loaf is worth considering if bread is a side dish and you’re not sure in advance how much you’ll need.
If you’re serving several dishes alongside the bread, you can start with a smaller amount by choosing half a loaf. If you do have portions left over, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing the bread in portions straight away.
A tiger crust doesn’t tell you whether the bread is wholemeal. Check the product description and compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging of the variety you choose.
Half a white tiger loaf may be suitable if the bread is mainly an accompaniment to the other dishes. Even then, check the ingredients and allergens, especially if your guests have specific dietary requirements.
First, decide how much bread you want to serve alongside the other dishes. Then choose between white and wholemeal based on what you want from the bread, and check the label for that specific variety.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this most important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size and leftovers | Is the bread labelled as half a loaf? Check the weight and storage instructions. | If bread is a side dish, I don’t want to be left with a whole loaf. For around 42% of consumers, avoiding leftovers is the top priority. |
| Wholemeal bread and fibre | Read the product description and compare fibre per 100 g; check the rest of the nutritional information too. | When bread makes up a larger part of the meal, I want to know whether the variety I’ve chosen is genuinely wholemeal. Around 33% of consumers say this distinction is their top priority. |
| Bread to go with your meal | Check whether the white variety is sold as half a loaf, and read the ingredients and allergen information. | With soup or dips, I’m mainly looking for a light bread accompaniment with a tiger crust. For around 25% of consumers, this role in the meal is the priority. |
Half tiger loaves are available in both white and wholemeal varieties. The crust alone doesn’t tell you what type of bread you’re buying.
Look for ‘wholemeal’ in the product description and compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging.
Even half a loaf can be more than you need when there are lots of other dishes on the table. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says you can freeze bread in portions straight after buying it.
Divide any bread you won’t use into portions and freeze it promptly. Throw away mouldy bread.
Choosing between white and wholemeal doesn’t tell you which allergens are present in a particular variety, or whether traces of other allergens may be present.
Ask your guests in advance about any dietary requirements and check the packaging of the bread you’ve bought just before serving.
Salt information varies by product: Albert Heijn lists iodised salt for AH Tijger volkoren half, while PLUS lists baker’s salt for the half wholemeal tiger loaf it reviewed.
If the type of salt matters to you, read the ingredients list for the variety you’ve chosen.
Compare the product format and label for each variety: not every loaf mentioned is half a loaf, and nutritional information varies by product.
Albert Heijn lists AH Tijger wit half and AH Tijger volkoren half.
Jumbo lists half-size white, brown and wholemeal varieties of Boeren Tijgerbrood.
PLUS lists Korenlanders Boeren tijger volkoren 1/2 as a 400 g pack and as a variety to bake at home.
Lidl lists a tiger bread roll, which is a different portion size from half a tiger loaf.
For a small group sharing several dishes, half a tiger loaf can be a good starting portion. How much you need depends on the number of guests and the role of the bread in the meal; freeze any leftover portions promptly.
Choose a variety explicitly labelled as wholemeal if fibre content matters to you. Compare the packaging: Albert Heijn lists 6,7 g of fibre per 100 g for AH Tijger volkoren half, while PLUS lists 6,4 g per 100 g for Korenlanders Boeren tijger volkoren 1/2 in the 400 g pack.
Check the allergen information for the exact variety you’re serving. The wholemeal half-loaf products reviewed list cereals containing gluten and product-specific possible traces, so the current packaging is the best guide when making your choice.
If you won’t use the bread soon, it’s best to freeze it in portions straight away. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends keeping opened wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for two to four days, or in the freezer for one to three months. For an unopened pack, also follow the date and storage instructions on the label.
