A holiday home group with different tastes
You want to serve toast that works with mild toppings as well as savoury snacks, without committing everyone to a strongly flavoured wholemeal option.
Who is this choice relevant to?
People looking for a wholemeal option
You want to be able to choose a product with a clear wholemeal base for breakfast or lunch, and compare the fibre per 100 g.
Anyone buying toast for guests with allergies
You need to check the ingredients and allergen information on each specific pack. A plain flavour or wholemeal label doesn’t tell you whether it’s suitable.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether one type of toast will suit the group or whether it’s more practical to serve both plain and wholemeal. Then compare the labels of the specific products you’re planning to take.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Plain and wholemeal options | Choose two varieties, or check whether a single product lists both wheat flour and wholemeal flour among its ingredients. | When I’m serving toast to people with different tastes, I don’t want everyone to be stuck with one strong grain flavour. This compromise matters most to around 45% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal base and fibre | Look for a clear wholemeal claim and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information. | At breakfast, I want to be able to choose a recognisably wholemeal product rather than judging by the colour of the toast. Around 33% of consumers give this wholemeal option priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the allergen information on each pack. Also compare salt per 100 g if it’s relevant to your choice. | When I’m buying for guests with an allergy, I need to know what’s in the specific pack. This check comes first for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘with wholemeal flour’ means ‘fully wholemeal’
A toast product may contain both wheat flour and wholemeal wheat flour. Simply listing wholemeal flour doesn’t tell you how much of it the product contains.
Check the order of the ingredients, the wholemeal claim for the specific variety and the fibre per 100 g.
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Taking ‘plain’ or ‘wholemeal’ to mean allergen-free
Even mild-tasting toast can contain relevant allergens. Ingredients also vary from product to product.
If you have an allergy or coeliac disease, check the current packaging of every pack and don’t rely on the product name alone.
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Leaving one large pack open for your whole stay
Moisture can make toast less crisp, especially if a pack is left open after serving.
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging. Small individual packs can be useful if you’re serving the toast over several days.
Brands compared
Van der Meulen
Melba toast in a range of varieties, including plain and wholemeal, for anyone looking specifically for thin toast.
- Van der Meulen describes its wholemeal Melba toast as made from 100% wholemeal bread and topped with sesame seeds.
- Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety. The wholemeal version with sesame isn’t suitable for every guest.
Jos Poell
A toast option for anyone looking for a product explicitly labelled as wholemeal.
- For Jos Poell Wholemeal Toast, wholemeal wheat flour is listed first in the ingredients shown by Jumbo.
- Check the allergens on the packaging: wholemeal doesn’t mean gluten-free.
Albert Heijn
A plain Melba toast option for a group wanting to serve toast with a range of toppings.
- According to Albert Heijn, AH Plain Melba Toast comes in 12 individual packs of 6 pieces.
- This plain variety isn’t a wholemeal option. Check the label if the ingredients or allergens matter to your group.
Jumbo
A range where you can browse toast options from different brands side by side.
- Jumbo features Van der Meulen wholemeal Melba toast among the products in its toast category.
- Being listed in the same category tells you nothing about the ingredients or allergens in individual products.
Bolletje
A brand to consider if a light wholemeal cracker would also suit the meal.
- Bolletje says its Light Wholemeal Crackers are made with 100% whole grains.
- These are crackers, not Melba toast, so they have a different shape if you specifically want to serve small pieces of toast.
ALDI / Sun Snacks
A retailer and product range to consider for classic toast or Melba toast.
- ALDI lists Sun Snacks Toast and Melba toast in its range.
- If you prefer wholemeal or have an allergy, check the ingredients and allergens on the specific packaging.
Toast options at Joybuy
This Melba toast suits the plain option for anyone who prefers a mild-tasting toast. If your group also wants wholemeal toast, this product alone won’t cover everyone’s needs.
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Crispy Melba Toast 240 g
Melba toast for anyone wanting to serve a plain option at their holiday home.
240 g pack. If you have allergies, check the current label: the product information about ingredients and allergens is contradictory.
Frequently asked questions
Is toast containing both wheat flour and wholemeal flour fully wholemeal?
No. The presence of wholemeal flour alone doesn’t make a toast product fully wholemeal. The ingredients for Haust Krokant Toast list both types of flour, while Van der Meulen describes its wholemeal Melba toast as made from 100% wholemeal bread. Check the claim on the specific packaging to make the right choice for you.
Should I check the allergens in plain toast too?
Yes, especially if you’re buying for someone with an allergy. ‘Plain’ describes the variety, not the allergens, so check the current ingredients and allergen information on every pack.
How can I keep toast crisp during a stay in a holiday home?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and seal opened toast tightly. Albert Heijn recommends keeping its Plain Melba Toast in a sealed tin after opening. Smaller individual packs can be useful if you’re not serving everything at once.