Who is this choice relevant to?

If you want to try sourdough

You want to choose a white sourdough loaf on your first shop and pay attention to its crust, crumb and flavour. Also check whether you’re buying it packaged, picking it up in store or need to bake it at home.

If you’re looking for everyday bread

You’re looking for bread to serve regularly and want to weigh up white sourdough against standard white, brown and wholemeal bread. The type of bread, its fibre content and availability all matter.

If you check ingredients and allergens

You want to know which grains and allergens the bread contains before buying it. If it’s sold loose, ask for the information if it isn’t displayed with the product.

What should you look for when choosing?

Before your first shop, decide whether you mainly want to try sourdough, are looking for a soft white slice or want to compare bread for everyday eating by its nutritional value. Then check the information for the specific loaf and what your shop offers.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important to?
Flavour and type of bread Check the product description and ingredients to distinguish white sourdough from standard white bread. If it’s sold loose, ask what type of bread it is. If I want to try sourdough, I’ll look specifically for that type of bread, rather than relying on a rustic-sounding name. This choice of flavour and bread type matters most to around 27% of consumers.
Fibre and nutritional value Check whether the bread is white, brown or wholemeal, and compare fibre on the same basis, such as per 100 g. If I’m buying bread that will be served regularly, I want to know how its nutritional information compares with brown or wholemeal bread. This everyday consideration comes first for around 33% of consumers.
Availability and preparation Check your chosen branch, how you can order the bread and whether you’ll need to finish baking it at home. I want to be able to pick up the bread while doing my shopping, without relying on a different ordering or preparation method. For around 20% of consumers, this practical convenience is the deciding factor.
Ingredients and allergens Read the allergen information and, if it’s relevant to your choice, check whether iodised baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients. Ask for the information if the bread is sold loose. Before choosing bread, I want to know which grains and allergens it contains and what type of salt has been used. For around 20% of consumers, this product information is the first thing they look for.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means wholemeal

    White sourdough is still a different type of bread from wholemeal. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.

    Check the type of bread and compare the fibre on the label if it matters to your everyday choice.

  • Skipping allergen checks because it’s sourdough

    Sourdough doesn’t mean a bread is free from gluten-containing grains. For example, PLUS lists wheat and rye in its Korenlanders Desem Wit.

    For packaged bread, read the allergen information. If the bread is sold loose, ask which allergens it contains before buying it, and ask about possible cross-contamination if needed.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt

    The type of salt used may be relevant to your choice, but you can’t tell from terms such as ‘artisan’ or ‘organic’.

    Check the ingredients list for iodised baker’s salt, or ask which salt has been used if the bread is sold loose.

  • Assuming a product page guarantees availability at your branch

    The range and ways to buy bread in store can vary. Jumbo describes its rustic sourdough loaves as available in store only, while Lidl notes that its fresh bread range varies by branch.

    Check your branch before making a special trip for a particular loaf. At ALDI, also check whether the shop has a bakery section.

Relevant retailers to compare

Albert Heijn

A retailer where you can compare different AH Liefde & Passie OerDesem varieties.

  • Its online sourdough category features several varieties, including organic OerDesem blond.
  • The different varieties may not all be available in the same way; check the product information and availability for the loaf you choose.

Jumbo

A good option if you want to look at rustic sourdough in a Jumbo shop.

  • Jumbo says its rustic sourdough range is made with fresh sourdough starter and has a proving time of more than 24 hours.
  • According to Jumbo, these loaves are only available in store and can’t be ordered online.

Lidl

A retailer where you can look for a product described as white wheat sourdough bread.

  • Lidl describes its rustic white sourdough as white wheat sourdough bread.
  • According to Lidl, its fresh bread range can vary by branch; check the ingredients of the product you choose too.

ALDI

A retailer where you can look at rustic white bread as an alternative to sourdough.

  • ALDI lists Bakkersgoud Rustiek wit as freshly baked bread.
  • The product information doesn’t confirm that this white bread is sourdough. Its bake-off range is available at shops with a bakery section.

PLUS

A retailer where you can check a specific white sourdough loaf and its product information.

  • The product page for PLUS Korenlanders Desem Wit lists details including ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
  • PLUS notes that product information may change, so compare the online details with the packaging you receive.

Dirk

A retailer where you can compare the types of bread available.

  • Dirk lists both white bread and sourdough in its bread category.
  • Check in store that the specific bread you choose is both white and sourdough.

A Joybuy product to consider

This white baguette is one product to consider alongside the bread you’re choosing for your first shop. If you’re specifically looking for white sourdough, check the ingredients on the packaging.

G'woon white rustic baguette, 250 g

G'woon white rustic baguette, 250 g

A white baguette to consider if you’re also looking for sandwich bread for your first shop.

Net weight: 250 g. Check the packaging to see whether the ingredients and allergens suit your needs, and only compare nutritional values when they’re given on the same basis.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is white sourdough automatically wholemeal?

No. Sourdough and wholemeal describe different qualities of bread. Check the type of bread and compare the fibre content of the specific product; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends replacing white bread with wholemeal or brown bread as much as possible.

Is sourdough gluten-free?

Not necessarily: PLUS lists wheat and rye in its Korenlanders Desem Wit. Check the allergen information for a specific loaf before buying it, rather than relying on the name ‘sourdough’ alone.

How can I find out about allergens in bread sold loose?

Ask before buying if the information isn’t displayed with the bread. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information for unpackaged products must be provided to consumers in a way other than on packaging.

How can I tell whether bread contains iodised baker’s salt?

For packaged bread, check the ingredients list for iodised baker’s salt. If the bread is sold loose, ask which salt has been used; the name or appearance of the bread won’t tell you.

Can I order white sourdough online?

It depends on the product range and retailer. PLUS has an online product page for Korenlanders Desem Wit, while Jumbo says its rustic sourdough loaves are only available in store and can’t be ordered online. Check how you can order the bread you want to buy.