Brunch planners catering for different tastes
If some guests prefer white bread and others prefer wholemeal, you don’t have to settle on just one type. Serve both and let everyone choose.
Who is this bread choice relevant for?
Families looking to get used to wholemeal bread
A finer-textured wholemeal option may be worth trying if a coarser texture is less appealing. Voedingscentrum suggests combining white and wholemeal bread as a way to get used to wholemeal; check what each loaf actually contains.
Shoppers who need to check ingredients
If a guest needs to know about allergens or whether iodised salt is used, read the label on each loaf separately. Warnings about possible traces of allergens are also specific to each product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve both white and wholemeal bread. Then choose the type and quantity that suit your guests and the oven space available.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | Look for the wholemeal label and compare the fibre content per 100 g of the specific loaves. | If you want a clearly identifiable wholemeal option on the table, don’t rely on a brown colour alone. Wholemeal and fibre are the top priorities for an estimated 36% of consumers. |
| Taste and texture | Consider serving white bread alongside fine wholemeal bread; check the label separately if you’re considering white bread with added fibre. | If guests mainly want soft, light bread, make sure there’s something they’ll enjoy choosing. An estimated 29% of consumers put how appealing the bread is first when making their choice. |
| Rolls and preparation | Check the number of rolls and, for bake-at-home rolls, the instructions and oven space required. | If you want to serve warm rolls individually, you’ll need to plan when to bake them around brunch. For around 21% of consumers, this way of serving bread is the main priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergen warnings for each loaf, and look for a mention of iodised salt if needed. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, you’ll want to check each loaf individually. For an estimated 14% of consumers, checking the label comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming brown or multigrain bread is wholemeal
The colour and appearance of the grains don’t reliably tell you how much wholemeal flour or fibre a loaf contains.
For a wholemeal option, look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging and compare the fibre per 100 g. Voedingscentrum notes that the term appears on wholemeal products.
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Buying one compromise loaf for everyone
A loaf that’s too firm for white-bread eaters may be left untouched, while guests who want wholemeal won’t have a clearly identifiable wholemeal option.
Serve a white option and a wholemeal option, adjusting the quantities to suit your guests and the rest of the food.
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Choosing bake-at-home rolls without planning for the oven
Serving warm rolls is only practical if the oven is available and baking them fits into your plans.
Read the instructions on the pack you’re considering before you buy. PLUS gives a baking time of 6–8 minutes for its wholemeal Schnittbroodjes.
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Making assumptions about allergens or iodised salt
The name of a loaf doesn’t tell you everything about its allergens or confirm which salt has been used in that specific product.
Check the current ingredients and warnings about possible traces of allergens for each product. If you have a question about iodine, look for a specific mention such as iodised salt.
Brands to consider
These brands offer examples of different types of bread. For your Easter brunch, compare the specific product and its current label, rather than looking only at the shop’s range.
Albert Heijn
A useful starting point if you want to compare white and wholemeal rolls with a whole wholemeal loaf.
- Albert Heijn’s Easter brunch selection includes both white and wholemeal rolls.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on each pack; for example, AH Rond volkoren heel lists iodised salt.
Jumbo
A reference point for fine wholemeal bread if you’re looking for a less coarse texture.
- Jumbo Fijn Volkoren lists wholemeal wheat flour as its first ingredient and contains 7.6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- Fine wholemeal bread is still different from white bread, so keep a separate white option if your guests have a strong preference for it.
Lidl
An example of finely milled wholemeal flour as a product feature.
- Lidl describes one kids’ loaf as being made with extra-finely milled wholemeal flour.
- Lidl’s claims about the taste and fibre of that specific loaf are based on its own product information. Don’t assume they apply to other loaves; check their labels separately.
ALDI
A range where you can compare white bread, wholemeal bread and rolls as separate options.
- ALDI’s bread selection includes white and wholemeal varieties.
- ALDI describes its wholemeal breads as made with 100% wholemeal flour; check the ingredients of the loaf you choose.
PLUS
A reference point for individual wholemeal rolls, including rolls you bake at home.
- PLUS gives a baking time of 6–8 minutes for its wholemeal Schnittbroodjes.
- Make sure you have enough oven space and follow the instructions on the pack you choose. Check the allergen information for each type of roll too.
Dirk
A range where you can compare white, wholemeal, multigrain and bake-at-home bread, among other options.
- Dirk offers different types of bread, so you can choose a white option and a wholemeal option separately.
- Use the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific loaf when comparing fibre content.
Wholemeal bread options at Joybuy
These products can provide the wholemeal options for an Easter brunch. They don’t make up a white-and-wholemeal selection on their own, so add a separate white option for guests who prefer white bread.
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Souq Lebanese wholemeal bread, 6 pieces
A wholemeal bread option to serve alongside white bread. The pack contains 6 pieces; if any guests have allergies, check the current ingredients and warnings on the packaging.
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Bolletje rye bread roll, 500 g
A rye bread option for guests who would like something different alongside white bread. The product name states 500 g; check the current packaging for the exact shape, ingredients and allergens.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij wholemeal round loaf, 550 g
A 550 g wholemeal loaf for your wholemeal selection. If you want to bake it at home, allow time for preparation and follow the instructions on the packaging.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij wholemeal round loaves, 2 × 550 g
Two wholemeal round loaves weighing 550 g each could be a good choice if you want to serve more wholemeal bread. Adjust the quantity to suit your guests and follow the pack instructions for defrosting and baking.
Frequently asked questions
Is white bread with extra fibre the same as wholemeal bread?
No. Adding extra fibre doesn’t automatically make white bread wholemeal. Look at the product name and ingredients to identify a wholemeal option, and compare the fibre per 100 g of the loaves you’re considering.
How can I identify wholemeal bread for an Easter brunch?
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the packaging. Voedingscentrum recommends this as a way to identify it; also read the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific loaf, especially if you’re comparing several types of bread.
Does all bread in the Netherlands contain iodised salt?
Don’t assume it does. Check the ingredients list for the bread you choose for a mention such as iodised salt; AH Rond volkoren heel is one product that includes this on its label.
How far in advance can I buy wholemeal bread?
It depends on how you store it. Voedingscentrum advises keeping wholemeal bread in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Follow the storage advice on the packaging, and freeze the bread in portions if you like.
What should I check if a guest needs to avoid wheat or gluten?
Check the ingredients and allergen information for every loaf you choose, including warnings about possible traces. Don’t rely on the colour or name of the bread: for example, PLUS lists wheat, gluten-containing cereals and possible traces of other ingredients for its wholemeal kaiser roll.