People organising a small dinner party
You want to serve one platter of toast without being left with lots of opened packs. Jumbo lists a 90 g pack of Melba toast; Lidl and ALDI also offer toast in 100–150 g and 240 g packs.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Anyone planning to top their toast
Choose the shape to suit your topping or dip, and think about when you’ll prepare the snacks. Van der Meulen describes its round Melba toast as a base for toppings and dips; this doesn’t tell you how every type of toast will hold up under moist toppings.
Anyone catering for guests’ dietary requirements
If a guest has an allergy or prefers wholegrain products, check the pack you’ll actually be serving. The Van der Meulen Melba toast listed by Jumbo contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain sesame; don’t assume other varieties have the same ingredients.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide how many pieces of toast you want to serve. Then consider the shape for your toppings and any dietary requirements your guests may have.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and leftovers | Compare the net weight with the number of platters you want to fill. Jumbo lists 90 g Melba toast; ALDI also lists a 240 g pack. | I want enough for one platter, but don’t want lots of toast left over. Getting the right quantity is the top priority for around 44% of consumers. |
| Shape for toppings and dips | Check the shape of the toast and consider whether you’ll be dipping or adding toppings. Add moist toppings shortly before serving. | I want to top the snacks without having to prepare them long in advance. For around 33% of consumers, how easy the toast is to serve comes first. |
| Dietary requirements | Check the ingredients, allergens, wholegrain labelling and nutritional information, including the salt content, on the exact pack. If iodine matters to you, check whether it mentions baker’s salt. | If guests have an allergy or a specific dietary preference, I want to know what I’m serving them. This check is the top buying priority for around 23% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Choosing a large pack without considering how many platters you need
A 240 g pack gives you more to serve, but may be more than you want to open for one small platter. ALDI lists this size alongside smaller packs of toast.
Decide how many platters you’ll serve, then compare pack sizes.
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Assuming all Melba toast has the same allergens
According to Jumbo’s product information, Van der Meulen Joy of Melba Toast Naturel Rondjes contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain sesame. This isn’t an ingredients list for every type of Melba toast.
Check the ingredients and allergens again on the exact pack you’re serving to your guests.
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Judging whether toast is wholegrain or contains iodine by its colour or type
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the term ‘wholegrain’ has a specific meaning, including for toast. It also states that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt.
Check the wholegrain labelling on the pack. If you have questions about iodine, look for a mention of baker’s salt on the pack or ask your baker.
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Adding moist toppings well before serving
How well topped toast holds up depends on the toast and the topping. A claim that a specific product stays crisp for longer isn’t a guarantee for other types of toast.
Get the toast ready, then add moist spreads or other moist toppings shortly before serving.
Brands and ranges to consider
Van der Meulen / Joy of Melba
Jumbo lists Joy of Melba Toast Naturel Rondjes as thin Melba toast in a 90 g pack, intended for toppings or dips.
- The pack size may be a good fit for one small platter of toast.
- This specific product contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain sesame; check other varieties separately.
Sun Snacks (ALDI)
ALDI lists Sun Snacks Melba Toast Naturel in a 240 g pack, as well as packs of toast in the 100–150 g range.
- These pack sizes give you the choice of a smaller quantity or a larger supply.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and availability of the specific pack you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo’s toast range includes 100 g packs of Knapperige Toast and several types of Melba toast.
- You can compare different types and pack sizes listed by the retailer.
- Check the information for the product and pack you choose for the latest ingredients and allergen details.
Lidl
Lidl lists 240 g packs of Melba toast and 100–150 g packs of party toast in plain and sesame varieties.
- The smaller party toast packs offer a different quantity and variety from the Melba toast listed.
- Lidl describes these products as in-store only; check availability at your local store.
Bolletje
Bolletje’s product range includes crackers, crispbread and rusk. These are alternatives to consider if you’re looking for other crunchy bases as well as toast.
- The range gives you a chance to explore other types of bases for toppings.
- Crackers, crispbread and rusk aren’t necessarily interchangeable with Melba toast if you have a particular presentation in mind.
Toast and a crispbread alternative at Joybuy
These products are suitable for a small platter at a dinner party: two 100 g packs of Melba toast and a 125 g pack of crispbread as an alternative to toast. Choose crispbread only if its different shape works with your toppings and presentation.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast 100 g
A 100 g pack for anyone looking to serve a small quantity of Melba toast. If you have allergies, check the ingredients on the exact pack.
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Conimex Delverde Melba Toast Round 100 g
A 100 g pack if you’re looking for round Melba toast for a small platter. If you have dietary requirements, check the ingredients and allergens on the pack.
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g'woon Wholegrain Crispbreads 125 g
A 125 g pack if you’re considering crispbread as well as Melba toast as a base for toppings. This is a crispbread alternative, not Melba toast; if wholegrain labelling or allergens matter to your choice, check the exact pack.
Frequently asked questions
How can I avoid having lots of toast left over after a small dinner party?
Choose a pack size to suit the number of platters you want to serve. Jumbo lists a 90 g pack of Melba toast, while Lidl offers 100–150 g packs of party toast. A 240 g pack is more likely to suit you if you’re expecting several platters or more guests.
Can I top the toast in advance?
You can get the toast ready, but it’s best to add moist toppings shortly before serving. Whether it’s suitable for topping in advance depends on the specific toast and topping; a product claim that it stays crisp for longer doesn’t automatically apply to other types of toast.
How do I check for allergens when serving guests?
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack before serving the toast. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on food labels. According to Jumbo, the Van der Meulen Melba toast mentioned contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain sesame.
Does toast in the Netherlands always contain iodine-fortified baker’s salt?
No, don’t assume that it does. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the pack or ask your baker if this matters to your choice.
Is brown toast automatically wholegrain?
No, colour alone doesn’t confirm that it’s wholegrain. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that, for toast and crackers, the term refers to a product made entirely from wholemeal flour. So check the description and ingredients on the pack.