Who is this choice relevant to?

A host who cares about flavour

Wants to serve bread with a distinctive flavour alongside coffee. Albert Heijn and Jumbo list their sourdough breads as separate ranges; if you also want a tiger crust, check this separately for the loaf you choose.

A shopper considering wholemeal and fibre

Is looking for bread clearly labelled as wholemeal, whether it’s tiger bread or sourdough. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists wholemeal bread as a high-fibre bread; Lidl, for example, offers a rustic wholemeal sourdough loaf.

An organiser mindful of chewing or swallowing

Checks in advance whether a guest has difficulty with a crusty texture. If someone has swallowing difficulties, an individual assessment is important; Thuisarts provides advice on modified food textures for people with swallowing difficulties.

What should you consider when choosing?

First decide which feature matters most for afternoon coffee: wholemeal, sourdough flavour, texture or simply ease of shopping. Then check the exact loaf, as a tiger crust alone tells you nothing about whether it’s sourdough or wholemeal.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is it important to?
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the wholemeal label on the specific loaf and check the nutritional information; don’t judge by its colour or the word ‘sourdough’. If fibre matters when we choose our everyday bread, I want to be able to see whether this loaf really is wholemeal. Around 31% of consumers prioritise choosing wholemeal bread.
Sourdough or tiger crust Check that sourdough appears in the product name or description if you want sourdough; a tiger pattern doesn’t confirm this. For coffee, I mainly want the flavour of bread made with sourdough, even if it isn’t tiger bread. For around 31% of consumers, flavour is the most important factor.
Crust and texture Ask about any chewing or swallowing difficulties. If someone has swallowing difficulties, follow the individual advice of a doctor, speech and language therapist or dietitian on the right texture. If a guest has difficulty chewing or swallowing, I don’t want to serve a crusty loaf without checking first. Texture is the main priority for around 23% of consumers.
Shopping and portions Check your chosen branch, how you can buy the bread, and whether you need a whole loaf, sliced bread or rolls. If I’m shopping for a small group meeting for coffee, the type of bread I choose needs to be available in time and suit the portions we need. For around 15% of consumers, practical considerations when shopping are the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means wholemeal

    The way bread is made doesn’t tell you whether it’s wholemeal. If you’re keeping an eye on fibre, you could end up choosing a different loaf from the one you intended.

    Check the wholemeal label and nutritional information for the specific product.

  • Assuming a crusty loaf is suitable for everyone

    Texture can be an important consideration for people with chewing or swallowing difficulties. Thuisarts discusses soft, puréed and liquid foods, among other options, for people with swallowing difficulties.

    Ask guests in advance about any known difficulties. If someone has swallowing difficulties, follow their doctor’s, speech and language therapist’s or dietitian’s advice about what they can eat.

  • Assuming you can order a loaf just because it’s listed online

    Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are baked in store and can’t be ordered online. So a loaf being listed in a range doesn’t confirm how you can buy it for your shop.

    Before your coffee gathering, check with your chosen branch which type of bread is available and how you can buy it.

  • Overlooking allergens in unpackaged bread

    Even when bread is sold without packaging, guests with allergies need information about the specific product.

    For pre-packed bread, read the label. For unpackaged bread, ask the seller for allergen information before buying, as outlined by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority for these types of products.

Brands and ranges to explore

Albert Heijn

A useful place to start if you want to look at sourdough and tiger bread separately within one supermarket’s range.

  • Albert Heijn describes OerDesem as bread made using a three-day process, with a light interior and a crisp crust.
  • Check the exact product if you’re looking for both sourdough and a tiger crust; the separate ranges don’t confirm that combination.

Jumbo

Worth considering if you want to compare rustic sourdough with regular tiger bread.

  • Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are made with fresh sourdough starter and left to rise for more than 24 hours.
  • According to Jumbo, these loaves are baked in store and can’t be ordered online, so bear this in mind when planning your shop.

Lidl

A specific starting point if you’re looking for a loaf described as both wholemeal and sourdough.

  • Lidl lists a product called Rustiek volkoren desembrood.
  • The product name doesn’t confirm that it has a tiger crust; check the product and your local branch’s range before buying.

ALDI

Worth considering if you’re looking for a pre-sliced wholemeal tiger loaf.

  • ALDI lists Boeren tijger volkoren heel as a pre-sliced loaf.
  • The words ‘tiger’ and ‘wholemeal’ in the name don’t confirm that the loaf is made with sourdough.

PLUS

A handy way to compare different types of bread for a coffee gathering.

  • PLUS lists a white baguette made with sourdough, as well as a white tiger roll.
  • These are separate products, so check the size, ingredients and allergens for each one.

Dirk

A range to explore if you want to compare sourdough and brown tiger bread as separate options.

  • Dirk lists both types of bread in its bread category and features boeren tijgerbruin brood.
  • Before planning your shop, check which products and types of bread are available at your chosen branch.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is tiger bread automatically sourdough?

No. A tiger crust and being made with sourdough are two different features. The ranges shown by retailers including Albert Heijn, ALDI and PLUS include separate tiger bread and sourdough products; check the product name and ingredients if you specifically want sourdough.

Does bread for older people always need to be soft?

No. Age alone doesn’t determine the right bread texture. However, ask about any chewing or swallowing difficulties before serving bread with a crusty texture. If someone has swallowing difficulties, consult a doctor, speech and language therapist or dietitian about the right consistency.

Where can I find allergen information for unpackaged bread?

Before buying, ask the seller for allergen information about the specific unpackaged loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority distinguishes this from pre-packed bread, where the information appears on the label. Check the details again if you choose a different loaf.

Does all bread made with baker’s salt contain the same amount of iodine?

No. Don’t assume a specific loaf contains a set amount of iodine. Overheid.nl describes baker’s salt as iodised table salt used to make bread and other baked goods. If the type of salt used or the amount of iodine matters to your choice, ask the manufacturer for product-specific information.