Hosting brunch, drinks and nibbles, or a soup supper
You want to put a whole or shareable white loaf on the table. The shape, crust and whether it’s made with sourdough all matter, and you’re looking for a size that suits the meal.
Who is this bread for?
Buying bread to bake just before eating
You want to choose when to serve it and have the time and suitable equipment for a final bake.
Checking the nutritional information
You’re choosing white bread for a special occasion, but you also want to check the ingredients, allergens and fibre content. If iodised salt matters to you, check the ingredients list for that too.
What should you look for?
First decide how you want to serve the bread: whole at the table or baked just before the meal. Then check the size you need and the information on the packaging.
| What to consider | Check | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance and flavour | Check whether the loaf is whole, unsliced or easy to share; check the ingredients if you specifically want sourdough. | For a brunch or soup supper, I want a loaf I can put on show on the table and share. This presentation is the top priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Serving it warm | Check whether it needs baking, and what equipment, temperature and preparation time are specified for the product you’ve chosen. | I want to bake the bread just before eating, so I can decide when to serve it. Around 29% of consumers give this the highest priority. |
| Size and leftovers | Check the weight or number of pieces and choose an amount that suits the meal. | I don’t want to be left with a large amount of bread after one meal. Keeping leftovers to a minimum matters most to around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Read the current ingredients and allergen information; compare fibre only on a like-for-like basis, such as per 100 g. | If ingredients or allergens determine my choice, I don’t want to rely on words such as sourdough or rustic. This check comes first for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming sourdough or rustic means wholemeal
These words don’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. The Dutch Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.
If you want to know what type of bread you’re buying, read the product description and ingredients rather than relying on the name alone.
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Assuming all white bread contains baker’s salt
The term ‘baker’s salt’ on its own doesn’t tell you which salt has been used in a particular loaf.
Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt. If you’re buying unwrapped bread in store, ask for the product information.
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Choosing bake-at-home bread without checking how to prepare it
Bake-at-home bread needs to be prepared before serving. PLUS gives different instructions for its white sourdough baguette depending on whether you use an oven or an air fryer.
Before buying, read the instructions for the bread you’ve chosen and check that you have the equipment you need.
Remember to allow time and factor in using the oven or air fryer just before the meal.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn’s Liefde & Passie and OerDesem ranges are worth exploring if you’re looking for white sourdough or a rustic-style loaf.
- Albert Heijn describes some breads in its Liefde & Passie range as made with sourdough and baked on a stone oven floor.
- Check the description and availability of each loaf in your store; the range name doesn’t describe every variety.
Jumbo
Jumbo offers white sourdough in baguette and tear-and-share formats, among other options, for meals where you want to share the bread.
- Jumbo describes its Desem Breekbrood Wit as par-baked white wheat sourdough bread.
- Check whether your chosen variety needs baking before serving; par-baked tear-and-share bread is a different product format from a whole fresh loaf.
Lidl
Lidl lists a rustic white wheat sourdough loaf for anyone looking for a whole loaf in this style.
- The rustic white sourdough is listed as a separate product.
- The fresh range can vary by store; check the information for your chosen loaf for ingredients and allergens.
ALDI
At ALDI, you could look for Bakkersgoud rustiek wit as a whole loaf, or choose a bake-at-home product for a different serving occasion.
- The ranges mentioned include a whole rustic white loaf and several bake-at-home formats.
- Check which format you’re buying and what’s available in your store; ‘rustic’ is not an independent quality comparison.
PLUS
PLUS Korenlanders Desem Wit and its white sourdough baguette offer two different options: a loaf for the table and a baguette to bake at home.
- PLUS provides instructions for baking its white sourdough baguette in both an oven and an air fryer.
- Check the packaging for your chosen variety: product information and ranges can change or vary by store.
Dirk
At Dirk, you can compare different types of white bread, including rustic bake-at-home baguettes.
- The bread range includes both white loaves and sourdough varieties.
- Check the format and preparation method for each product; a description of the range doesn’t necessarily apply to every store.
White bread on Joybuy
This white rustic baguette is a good fit for a meal where you want to put bread on the table or share it. Check the packaging if you want to serve it warm.
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G'woon white rustic baguette 250 g
The baguette shape makes it ideal for sharing with a meal.
Contents: 250 g.
Check the preparation instructions on the packaging if you want to serve the bread warm. Read the latest allergen information if it’s relevant to your choice.
Frequently asked questions
Is white sourdough wholemeal?
No, sourdough on its own doesn’t tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. Check the product description and ingredients to find out. The Dutch Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.
Do I always need an oven for white bread?
No. Bread that’s ready to eat can be served straight away, but bake-at-home bread needs preparing. PLUS recommends baking its white sourdough baguette in an oven at 220 °C for 8 to 10 minutes, or in an air fryer at 200 °C for 4 minutes. Follow the instructions provided for any other product.
Does all white bread in the Netherlands contain iodised baker’s salt?
Don’t assume so without checking the ingredients. The official Commodities Act regulations define baker’s salt as iodised table salt for bread and other bakery products, but that definition doesn’t tell you which salt is in your loaf. Read the ingredients list or ask for product information if you’re buying unwrapped bread.
Is white sourdough automatically gluten-free?
No, sourdough doesn’t mean that bread is gluten-free. For example, the product description for Jumbo Desem Breekbrood Wit lists wheat. Check the latest ingredients and allergen information for every loaf you choose.
How can I choose a size that won’t leave me with lots of bread?
Choose the number of pieces or the weight to suit the meal and the number of people eating. A smaller baguette or tear-and-share loaf may be more practical than a whole loaf if you need less; check the packaging for advice on storing any leftovers.