If you want to put a whole loaf on the table
Want to slice and share bread at the table for a leisurely breakfast, lunch or dinner? A whole hearth-baked loaf or rustic white loaf suits the way you want to serve it.
Which bread shape is right for you?
If you want to bake it just before eating
A bake-at-home baguette is a good choice if you want to prepare the bread shortly before the meal and have a suitable oven available. Follow the instructions for the product you choose.
If you need to check the ingredients
Are allergens, the type of salt used or fibre important to your choice? Check the information for the specific loaf rather than relying on words such as white, sourdough, rustic or organic.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to slice a whole loaf or serve individual portions. Then plan any baking around the meal and check the product information that matters most to you.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Presentation and sharing | Check whether it’s a whole loaf, baguette or individual rolls, and whether you want to slice the portions yourself. | If I want to put a whole loaf on the table, I want to be able to divide it into slices myself. Around 38% of consumers prioritise this way of presenting and sharing bread. |
| Baking and serving time | Check whether the bread needs baking and follow the temperature and baking time for the loaf you choose. | For a dinner, I want to bake the bread shortly before serving, but the oven needs to be free. This serving time is the top priority for around 37% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the latest allergen information, check the type of salt if needed, and compare fibre per 100 g. | If I need to take allergens, iodine or fibre into account, I need the details for the specific loaf. This check matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. The name of the bread alone won’t tell you which type of salt was used.
If iodine is relevant to your choice, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt. For unpackaged bread, ask which type of salt was used.
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Assuming sourdough or rustic bread is high in fibre
These words don’t tell you how much fibre a particular loaf contains. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible for everyday eating.
If fibre matters to your choice, compare the amount listed per 100 g rather than relying on the style name.
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Choosing bake-at-home bread without planning when to serve it
Bread that still needs baking requires oven space and preparation time. This matters if you want to put it straight on the table.
Read the instructions for the specific product before buying and work out when the oven will be available.
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Skipping allergen information for unpackaged bread
You can’t tell which allergens a loaf contains from its shape or description. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that sellers must also provide allergen information for unpackaged food.
Read the label on pre-packed bread and ask for allergen information about unpackaged bread before choosing.
Brands to help you choose
These brands offer a range of white bread shapes. Check the preparation instructions and ingredients for each product; a brand name won’t tell you whether a loaf is right for your meal.
Albert Heijn
Offers, among other things, white hearth-baked loaves and white sourdough products.
- Albert Heijn states that its organic Robuust white baguette has a first proving time of more than 20 hours; this information applies to this specific product.
- Check the current packaging for ingredients, nutritional information and allergens when you buy it.
Jumbo
Offers white sourdough baguettes and rustic white bake-at-home baguettes, alongside other sourdough breads.
- Jumbo says its sourdough breads are made with sourdough starter and given a long proving time.
- Check the preparation instructions and nutritional information for each loaf; these vary between products.
PLUS
Its Korenlanders range includes white sourdough bread and white sourdough demi-baguettes.
- PLUS gives baking instructions of 8–10 minutes at 220 °C for its white sourdough demi-baguette.
- Don’t use those instructions for another PLUS loaf without checking the packaging.
ALDI
Offers, among other things, Bakkersgoud Rustiek Wit and Boeren Tijger Wit.
- Both are examples of whole white loaves that you can slice and share yourself.
- ALDI says its freshly baked range is available in stores with an in-store bakery; check what’s available at your local store.
Lidl
Offers rustic white sourdough bread as part of its bread range.
- Lidl says its bread is baked in store from 06.00.
- Lidl’s general bread categories are no substitute for the nutritional information for a specific loaf.
Dirk
Offers, among other things, Batard white bread and rustic white bake-at-home baguettes.
- These bread shapes give you the choice between a whole loaf and a product to bake at home.
- Read the product information to see which preparation method and portion size suit your meal.
Bread options on Joybuy
This selection includes white baguettes and individual rolls to serve with a meal. If you’d rather put a whole hearth-baked loaf on the table, choose that shape instead. Don’t assume the baguettes are ready to serve straight away without checking.
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G'woon White Rustic Baguette, 250 g
A baguette to serve in portions with a meal.
Weight: 250 g. Before planning when to serve it, check the packaging to see whether it needs baking.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Natural Rustic Baguette, 4 × 135 g
Four individual baguettes are a good choice if you want to serve several portions and can plan when to bake them.
Four baguettes, 135 g each. Check the current packaging for the baking time before deciding when to serve them.
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g'woon White Baguette, 220 g
A white baguette to serve with a meal.
Weight: 220 g. If you want to prepare it shortly before eating, check the baking instructions on the packaging.
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g'woon White Rolls, 4 rolls, 300 g
Individual rolls are a good choice if you’d rather serve one portion per person than slice a whole loaf.
Four rolls, 300 g in total. Check the current packaging for allergen information.
Frequently asked questions
Does every loaf of bread in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume that: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. For packaged bread, check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt. For unpackaged bread, ask which type of salt was used.
How can I check the allergens in unpackaged bread?
Before you buy, ask the seller for allergen information about the specific loaf. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says sellers must tell consumers about any allergens in unpackaged food too.
Does white sourdough bread automatically contain more fibre?
No, the word sourdough doesn’t tell you how much fibre it contains. Compare the fibre listed per 100 g for the products you’re considering. For everyday eating, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.
When should I bake a baguette for dinner?
Plan the baking according to the instructions for your baguette and make sure you have enough oven space. PLUS gives instructions of 8–10 minutes at 220 °C for its Korenlanders white sourdough demi-baguette, but don’t use that time and temperature for another product.