Who is this choice relevant to?

If you want the soup to take centre stage

You’re serving pea soup as a main course and want a thin, crunchy toast that doesn’t have a strong flavour of its own, such as herbs or olive.

If you compare nutritional information

You want to choose between plain, multigrain and wholegrain spelt toast for this meal. You look at fibre, ingredients and salt per 100 g, not just the name on the front of the pack.

If you need to consider allergens

You’re also buying for people with an allergy or intolerance. For them, the information on the current packaging about cereals containing gluten, sesame, soya and milk matters more than the flavour variety.

What should you look for in toast to serve with pea soup?

Start by thinking about the role of the toast in the meal: a subtle accompaniment to the soup or an extra flavour on the table. Then compare the nutritional information and packaging of the varieties that fit the bill.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Flavour alongside the soup Choose between plain toast and a variety with sesame, olive or herbs; match the flavour to your toppings. If the soup and toppings already have strong flavours, I don’t want the toast to overpower them. Around 31% of consumers put this balance of flavours first.
Fibre, grains and salt Compare fibre and salt per 100 g, and check which grains are actually in the variety you choose. When choosing between plain and multigrain, I want to know what the nutritional information really says. Around 31% of consumers give this comparison top priority.
Allergens Read the current ingredients and allergen information, including for sesame and multigrain varieties. If one of my guests needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to check the specific packaging. For around 23% of consumers, checking allergens is the most important consideration.
Pack size and where to buy Check the net weight and retailer; once opened, follow the storage instructions on the packaging. If I’m buying for a larger group, I want to be able to buy enough toast and store an opened pack properly. This is the first consideration for around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘premium’ is a fixed product quality

    A luxury-sounding name, an organic label or a special blend of grains won’t tell you how much fibre or salt the toast contains, which allergens it includes or how strong its flavour is.

    Decide what matters to you for your pea soup meal, then compare the ingredients and nutritional information of the specific varieties.

  • Checking for allergens only once you’re at the table

    The toast varieties discussed have different ingredients; cereals containing gluten, sesame, soya and milk may all be relevant. If you have an allergy, the product name is no substitute for checking the label.

    Check the current allergen information before buying, and take any warnings about the possible presence of allergens into account too.

  • Choosing by flavour name and overlooking salt

    The products discussed list a range of salt levels. Stock, smoked sausage, bacon, cheese or butter may also be part of the meal.

    Compare the salt per 100 g in the toast varieties that suit your preferences for flavour and ingredients.

  • Assuming a large pack is easy to buy

    Lidl lists a 240 g pack of Melba toast as an in-store product. So if you’re buying for a group, you’ll need to consider where it’s sold as well as the pack size.

    Before you shop, check where the variety you’ve chosen is available and follow the storage instructions on the packaging once opened.

Brands and supermarket own-labels compared

These brand names can help you compare types of toast and pack sizes; ultimately, choose based on the specific variety.

Van der Meulen

Melba toast available in varieties including plain, multigrain and wholegrain spelt.

  • Jumbo’s product information lists 7,5 g of fibre per 100 g for the multigrain variety; Albert Heijn lists 9,4 g per 100 g for wholegrain spelt.
  • Compare salt and allergens for each variety too: multigrain and wholegrain spelt have a different composition from plain toast.

AH

Supermarket own-label, including organic sesame Melba toast and Melba toast with Italian herbs and olive.

  • Albert Heijn lists 7% sesame seeds in its organic sesame variety; the herb variety includes ingredients such as olive, oregano and basil.
  • Check the allergens and salt on the packaging for these flavoured varieties, especially if your soup already includes savoury additions.

Jumbo

Retailer with product information for various Melba toasts, including plain and multigrain varieties from Van der Meulen.

  • The product pages show ingredients and nutritional information, making it possible to compare the varieties mentioned.
  • Check the current packaging and local availability of the variety you want to serve.

Lidl

A place to shop for a 240 g pack of Melba toast.

  • Lidl Netherlands lists the pack size and states that this product is available in store only.
  • Check the label in store if ingredients, allergens or nutritional value affect your choice.

Sun Snacks

Brand of plain Melba toast listed by ALDI Netherlands in a 240 g pack.

  • The listed pack size makes it easy to compare with smaller packs when buying for several people.
  • Check availability and the information on the current packaging before buying.

Bolletje

Brand of crunchy baked goods such as crispbreads and crackers: a different option from Melba toast.

  • Worth considering if you’re also thinking about serving crispbread or crackers with your soup.
  • If you’re specifically looking for thin Melba toast, check the product name on the shelf.

Plain Melba toast on Joybuy

This plain Melba toast is an option if you want the pea soup and any toppings to provide the flavour.

Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g pack

Delverde Classic Melba Toast, 100 g

Its plain flavour goes well with pea soup when you want to choose your own toppings. Joybuy describes this Melba toast as crunchy; if you have an allergy, check the information on the current packaging.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Which toast goes well with hearty pea soup?

Plain Melba toast is a subtle option if you want the soup and toppings to provide the flavour. Sesame, olive or herbs work better when you deliberately want to add those extra flavours to the meal.

What does ‘multigrain’ or ‘wholegrain’ tell me about the toast?

The name alone doesn’t tell you how much fibre or salt a pack contains. For the varieties discussed, Jumbo lists 7,5 g of fibre per 100 g for Van der Meulen Multigrain, while Albert Heijn lists 9,4 g per 100 g for Van der Meulen Wholegrain & Spelt. Compare the ingredients and allergens too.

How can I check for allergens when guests are joining me?

Before buying pre-packed toast, read the allergen information on the current packaging. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says this information must appear on the label; also look out for statements about the possible presence of allergens. If you’re buying loose toast, ask the seller for product information.

Does toast made with baker’s salt always contain added iodine?

You can’t tell from the product category ‘toast’ alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes bread made with iodised baker’s salt as a source of iodine in the Netherlands, but for a specific type of toast you’ll need to check which salt is listed in the ingredients or ask the baker.

How should I store an opened pack of toast?

Follow the storage instructions for the variety you’ve chosen and seal the pack tightly. Albert Heijn and Jumbo’s product information recommends, among other things, storing the toast in a dry place or keeping it in a sealed tin.