A table with different preferences
If everyone wants a different kind of toast, serving a mix of plain and wholegrain melba toast gives guests a choice without needing a separate base for every topping.
Who should consider this choice?
If you specifically want to serve wholegrain
A dark colour or the label ‘multigrain’ doesn’t mean the same as ‘wholegrain’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre also advises checking for the wholegrain label on toast.
If you want the toast itself to add flavour
For a simple antipasti board, toast with olives, tomato and herbs can be an alternative to a plain base topped with strongly flavoured ingredients.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to give your guests a choice between plain and wholegrain. Then decide whether you want the Italian flavour to come mainly from the toppings or the toast itself.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Plain and wholegrain options | Choose two clearly different types and check that the wholegrain variety is labelled as such on the packaging. | If guests have different preferences, I don’t want to limit everyone to one type of toast. Around 33% of consumers prioritise having this choice between plain and wholegrain. |
| Flavour in the toast or the toppings | Check whether the ingredients include olives, tomato or herbs. Choose a plain base when you want a variety of toppings to provide the flavour. | When serving simple toppings, I want the toast itself to suit the Italian theme. Around 27% of consumers prioritise flavour in the toast. |
| Wholegrain and fibre | Look for the wholegrain label and compare the fibre listed per 100 g for the products you’re considering. | When I specifically want to serve wholegrain, a dark colour alone isn’t enough. This check is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Allergens and salt | Read the current label, including any ‘may contain’ warnings, and compare salt per 100 g if you also want to take the toppings into account. | If a guest has a relevant food allergy, I need to know what’s in each type before serving it. Around 20% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming dark or multigrain toast is wholegrain
If you specifically want to serve wholegrain, colour or another grain label alone won’t tell you whether the toast meets your requirements.
Look for the wholegrain label on the pack and read the ingredients list. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, toast can only be labelled wholegrain if it is made entirely from wholegrain flour.
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Judging allergens by the front of the pack
The plain, wholegrain and flavoured varieties mentioned have different ingredients and may carry different ‘may contain’ warnings. A previous product listing may not match the pack you’re serving.
Check the current ingredients and allergen information for every type of toast, especially if wheat, other gluten-containing cereals, soya, sesame, egg or milk could affect a guest.
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Serving flavoured toast without considering the toppings
Jumbo lists herbs and 1,89 g of salt per 100 g for its toast with black olives and sun-dried tomatoes. This is worth bearing in mind if you’re also serving strongly flavoured or salty toppings.
Check the nutritional information for your chosen toast and toppings together. You could also serve plain toast for guests who prefer to get the flavour from the topping.
Brands worth comparing
Van der Meulen
Melba toast available in plain and wholegrain varieties, making it easy to compare the two options side by side.
- Albert Heijn lists 9,7 g of fibre per 100 g for the wholegrain variety and 3,9 g per 100 g for the plain variety.
- The wholegrain variety mentioned contains sesame, wheat, barley, rye and soya, among other ingredients. Check the label if allergens are a concern.
Albert Heijn
AH plain melba toast is a neutral option in a 240 g pack for anyone who wants the toppings to provide the flavour.
- Albert Heijn presents this melba toast as a base for toppings.
- The product information lists gluten-containing cereals and soya, and possible traces of other cereals and sesame. Check the current packaging.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers toast with black olives and sun-dried tomatoes, among other varieties, for anyone looking for flavour in the toast itself.
- The product listing mentions olives, sun-dried tomatoes and herbs.
- For this variety, Jumbo lists 17,1 g of fat and 1,89 g of salt per 100 g, as well as wheat and possible traces of egg, milk, sesame and soya.
ALDI / Sun Snacks
ALDI’s toast range includes plain and wholegrain varieties, as well as Sun Snacks toast and melba toast.
- The range includes different types of toast that you can compare by checking their labels.
- Check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on each pack you choose before serving it to guests.
Toast at Joybuy
This melba toast works well for an Italian evening where the toppings provide the flavour. If you also want to serve wholegrain toast or toast with Italian flavourings, choose a separate variety.
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Crispy Melba Toast 240 g
A plain base for serving a variety of toppings. The pack contains 240 g. If you have allergies, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the current packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if toast is wholegrain?
Look for the wholegrain label and check the ingredients list on the pack. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, toast can only be labelled wholegrain if it is made entirely from wholegrain flour. ‘Multigrain’, spelt or a brown colour doesn’t automatically mean the same thing.
Can I serve ordinary melba toast to someone who eats gluten-free?
Don’t assume that ordinary melba toast is gluten-free. The AH plain melba toast mentioned contains wheat and barley, among other ingredients. Check the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the toast you’re actually serving.
How should I store toast once it’s opened?
Follow the storage instructions for the product you’ve chosen. Albert Heijn recommends storing its melba toast in a sealed tin once opened; for the Jumbo toast mentioned, the advice is to store it in a cool, dry, dark place.