Smaller households
You’re serving split pea soup for one or two people and want something crunchy on the side without being left with a large opened pack. Check the total weight and whether the pack contains individual sachets.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Shoppers who want to choose the flavour themselves
You want to serve cheese, butter or another topping without the toast itself tasting of olives, tomatoes or herbs. If so, look specifically for plain melba toast.
Label-conscious shoppers
You compare salt per 100 g or need to consider ingredients and allergens. Check the information on the pack of the product you actually choose.
What should you look for in toast to serve with split pea soup?
First, decide how much toast you’ll need across different meals. Then check that the flavour works with the soup and toppings, and see what information you need to check on the label.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and portions | Compare the total weight and check whether the toast comes in separate inner sachets. | If I’m making soup for one or two people, I don’t want to be left with a large opened pack; getting the right amount is the priority for around 45% of consumers. |
| Flavour with soup and toppings | Choose between plain melba toast and toast flavoured with, for example, olives, tomatoes or herbs. | When serving toast with toppings, I want the soup and toppings to provide the flavour; a neutral taste matters most to around 33% of consumers. |
| Label information | Compare salt per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose. | If I need to watch my salt intake or avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to assess the toast accordingly; label information takes priority for around 22% of consumers. |
Common mistakes when choosing toast
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Only looking for half a loaf
Toast is also sold in small packs and larger packs with separate inner sachets. These options may be a better fit for a small soup meal than searching for bread.
Compare the weight in grams and the number of inner packs before choosing a size.
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Mistaking flavoured toast for plain melba toast
According to Jumbo, its 100 g Knapperige Toast contains ingredients including black olives and tomatoes. This gives it a different flavour profile from a plain variety.
Choose plain toast if you want the soup and toppings to take centre stage; only opt for a seasoned variety if you want that extra flavour.
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Skipping the label
Ingredients, potential allergens and salt levels vary between toast products. For example, Albert Heijn’s product information lists wheat, barley and soya for the plain melba toast described.
If you have an allergy or other dietary restriction, check the current packaging and compare salt levels on the same basis: per 100 g.
Brands to compare
Van der Meulen
Plain Melba toast is an option if you’re looking for plain toast in a smaller pack to serve with split pea soup.
- According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the 120 g pack contains six sachets, each with six pieces of toast.
- The variety described contains wheat, barley and soya, and may contain sesame; if you have an allergy, check the current label.
Albert Heijn
AH Melba toast plain is a larger pack of plain toast with individual portions.
- Albert Heijn lists a 240 g pack, divided into twelve packs of six pieces of toast.
- You’ll be buying more toast overall than in a 100–120 g pack. Check the allergen information if it’s important to your choice.
Jumbo
Jumbo Knapperige Toast is a small pack for anyone who deliberately wants toast with its own distinctive flavour.
- Jumbo lists a 100 g pack containing ingredients including black olives and tomatoes.
- This isn’t plain melba toast. According to the product information, the variety contains wheat and may contain egg, milk, sesame and soya.
Lidl
Lidl lists a 240 g pack of melba toast as an in-store product.
- The listed pack size gives you a point of comparison if you’re looking for more than a small pack.
- Check the packaging of the product you choose for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
ALDI
ALDI lists toast and melba toast in a range of pack sizes.
- The range includes SUN SNACKS Toast in 100–150 g packs and SUN SNACKS Melba toast in 240 g packs.
- Toast and melba toast aren’t necessarily interchangeable; check the specific product and its packaging information.
Bolletje
Bolletje is worth considering if you’re also thinking about crackers or crispbread to serve with split pea soup.
- Bolletje’s range includes crackers and crispbread, including wholemeal varieties.
- Crackers or crispbread won’t necessarily have the same flavour or texture as melba toast; choose based on the specific product.
Melba toast in a small pack
If you’re looking for a 100 g pack of melba toast to serve with split pea soup, this is a product to assess based on its weight and label information.
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Delverde Classic Melba Toast 100 g
This 100 g pack is worth considering if you’re looking for melba toast to serve with a small meal of soup.
If you want to use the toast over several days, check whether the pack contains individual sachets. If you have allergies, read the current label carefully: the listed ingredients and allergen statement contradict each other. If you’re watching your salt intake, compare the nutritional information per 100 g.
Frequently asked questions
Which toast should I choose if I won’t eat it all in one day?
Choose a small pack or one with individual inner sachets. Albert Heijn lists six sachets of six pieces of toast for Van der Meulen Melba toast plain, and twelve packs of six for AH Melba toast plain. Once opened, follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose.
Is melba toast automatically suitable for someone with a gluten or soya allergy?
No. According to Albert Heijn’s product information, the AH and Van der Meulen plain varieties described contain wheat, barley and soya. If you have an allergy, also check the packaging for information about possible traces in the specific product.
How do I compare the salt content of two packs of toast?
Compare the values per 100 g so that differences in pack size don’t skew the comparison. Albert Heijn lists 1.3 g of salt per 100 g for the Van der Meulen plain variety described, and 1.93 g per 100 g for AH Melba toast plain. Check the current nutritional information before making your choice.
Can I tell how much iodine toast contains from the word ‘salt’?
No, the ingredient ‘salt’ doesn’t tell you how much iodine a specific toast product contains. If you need this information to make your choice, check the packaging and, if necessary, ask the manufacturer for product-specific details.