Which bread shape works best for you?

Sharing bread with antipasti

If you’re serving bread with olives, cheese, tomatoes or dips, the shape makes a difference: you can slice a baguette, while guests can pull pieces from tear-and-share bread themselves.

Home cooks who bake just before serving

If you want to bake the bread just before serving, make sure you have room in the oven or air fryer. PLUS provides instructions for both appliances for its white sourdough baguette.

Shoppers checking ingredients

If you have an allergy, you’ll want to know which grains and potential traces are listed on the label. You’ll also need to check whether the bread contains iodised salt: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide how you want to serve the bread and whether you have time to bake it at home. Then check that the specific product is described as sourdough and read its ingredients.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Shape and sharing Choose between baguette slices, pieces of tear-and-share bread or individual rolls. When I’m serving antipasti, I want to be able to pass the bread round easily; for around 36% of consumers, how easy it is to share matters most.
Time to bake at home Check whether the bread is part-baked and follow the instructions for your oven or air fryer. If I want to bake the bread just before dinner, I need to have the appliance available; around 29% of consumers prioritise this choice of preparation method.
Sourdough in the bread Read the product description and ingredients list; don’t assume it’s sourdough just because it has a rustic name. A rustic appearance isn’t enough if I’m specifically looking for sourdough. Around 21% of consumers prioritise being able to confirm that it’s sourdough.
Ingredients and salt Check the grains, potential allergens and, if relevant, whether it contains baker’s salt or iodised salt. When the ingredients determine my choice, I read the information for the specific bread; around 14% of consumers prioritise these checks.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘rustic white’ means white sourdough

    A rustic shape or crust doesn’t, by itself, tell you whether the bread contains sourdough. ALDI, for example, sells a rustic white loaf, but its name doesn’t confirm that it’s made with sourdough.

    Look for a clear mention of sourdough on the packaging, shelf label or product page, and check the ingredients list.

  • Buying part-baked bread without planning how to prepare it

    Part-baked bread needs to go in the oven before serving. PLUS recommends baking its white sourdough baguette for 8–10 minutes at 220 °C in the oven, or for 4 minutes at 200 °C in a preheated air fryer.

    Choose bread that’s already been baked in store if you don’t want to bake it at home, or set aside time and an appliance for the part-baked option.

  • Assuming sourdough is gluten-free

    The white sourdough products mentioned from Jumbo and PLUS contain wheat; some products also list other grains or potential allergens.

    Don’t rely on the word sourdough. If you have an allergy, check the current packaging or ask for allergen information when buying unpackaged bread.

  • Assuming bread contains iodised salt based on its name

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. The word sourdough doesn’t tell you which salt has been used either.

    Check the label for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’, or ask the baker.

Brands compared

Albert Heijn

Among its white bread options, Albert Heijn lists AH Liefde & Passie Biologisch OerDesem blond and OerDesem San Francisco.

  • You can compare several white OerDesem products within the same range.
  • Check the individual product information or packaging for ingredients and allergens.

Jumbo

Jumbo offers white sourdough in several shapes, including rolls, tear-and-share bread and a baguette.

  • The product information for the rolls and tear-and-share bread mentioned lists sourdough as an ingredient.
  • Jumbo says its rustic sourdough range is only available in store. Check the grains and allergens listed for each product.

Lidl

Lidl describes its Rustiek wit desembrood as a white wheat sourdough loaf.

  • It’s an option if you want to choose a rustic white sourdough loaf in store.
  • Lidl says this bread is only available in store. Ask about the ingredients and allergens if they’re important to your choice.

ALDI

ALDI lists fresh white bread and Bakkersgoud rustiek wit.

  • Rustiek wit is another bread shape to consider if sourdough isn’t a requirement.
  • Don’t assume the name ‘rustic white’ means it’s sourdough; check the individual product if you’re looking for sourdough bread.

PLUS

PLUS lists a white sourdough baguette that you can bake at home.

  • PLUS provides oven and air fryer instructions for this baguette.
  • The bread contains wheat; check the information about any other potential allergens before serving it.

Dirk

Dirk lists white bread and sourdough among the types in its bread range.

  • You can look at both the bread shape and whether sourdough is mentioned when choosing.
  • Check the label of an individual loaf to confirm that it really is white sourdough.

Bread for sharing at the table on Joybuy

This baguette is an option if you’re looking for a long white loaf to slice and serve at your Italian evening. Check the packaging if you want to bake it at home.

G'woon White Rustic Baguette, 250 g

G'woon White Rustic Baguette, 250 g

The baguette shape is ideal if you want to serve slices alongside antipasti or pasta.

Check the packaging to see whether you need to bake this variety at home. If you have an allergy, look for wheat and any mention of potential traces of sesame, lupin, mustard and nuts.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell whether rustic white bread is also sourdough?

Check the product description and ingredients list for a mention of sourdough; its rustic appearance alone doesn’t tell you. The white sourdough products mentioned from Jumbo and PLUS list sourdough in their product information.

Does bread in the Netherlands always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for ‘baker’s salt’ or ‘iodised salt’, or ask about unpackaged bread in store.

Where can I find allergen information for unpackaged bread sold in store?

Ask in store before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that food businesses must inform customers about allergens present in their products. Check the information for the bread you want to buy.

Does the word sourdough tell me anything about the nutritional value of white bread?

No, you can’t work out the nutritional value from the word sourdough alone. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, white bread contains fewer nutrients than wholemeal bread. For specific products, compare the nutritional information per 100 g.