Those who prioritise wholemeal bread
You want a clearly identifiable wholemeal option as the basis for your Easter brunch. The bread’s name matters more than the colour of its crust.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Those hosting fussy eaters
You want to give your guests a choice rather than serving everyone the same type of bread. Fine or tiger wholemeal bread can sit alongside a separate white loaf; the shape doesn’t tell you how every guest will find the taste.
Those planning portions and allergens
You’re looking for a suitable loaf size and want to check the latest allergen information before serving. Planning what to do with leftover bread also helps you prepare.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether fully wholemeal bread is your starting point, then consider how much variety you want to offer your guests. Next, look at the loaf size and the information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Wholemeal and fibre | For Dutch bread, look for the name “wholemeal bread”. Compare fibre only on the same nutritional basis, for example per 100 g. | I want my main choice to be demonstrably wholemeal, not just dark in colour. This would be the first consideration for around 36% of consumers. |
| Preferences at the table | Consider fine or tiger wholemeal bread and, if you like, a separate white loaf; don’t judge the taste by the crust. | If guests have different bread preferences, I want them to choose for themselves. This freedom of choice would come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Size and leftovers | Compare whole and half loaves, and decide in advance what you’ll do with any bread left after brunch. | I like to serve more than one type, but don’t want to be left with too much bread. This would be the main priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Allergens | Read the current packaging; if you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask about the allergen information before you buy. | If I need to cater for a guest with an allergy, I want to know the information for the exact bread I’ve bought. This would be the deciding factor for around 14% of consumers. |
According to the Consumers’ Association, the term “wholemeal” on bread means that all the flour used is wholemeal flour. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes gradually combining white and wholemeal bread as a way to get used to wholemeal. You can also serve the different types separately at brunch, so guests can choose for themselves.
Common misconceptions
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Assuming brown, multigrain or high-fibre means wholemeal
Colour and terms like these don’t give you the same assurance about the flour used as the Dutch bread name “wholemeal bread”.
Look for that name if fully wholemeal bread is your starting point. For other bread products, read the ingredients list before presenting them as a wholemeal option.
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Assuming a familiar crust guarantees a particular taste
Fine or tiger wholemeal bread gives guests a different shape of loaf, but it won’t tell you what every fussy eater will enjoy.
If your guests have different preferences, serve a separate white alternative and adjust the quantity of each type to suit them.
Serving more types of bread can also mean more leftovers.
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Relying on out-of-date allergen information
The ingredients of the bread you buy are what matter. Albert Heijn itself points out that product and allergen information can change.
Check the packaging before serving, and ask about the allergen information before buying unpackaged bread.
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Assuming every loaf is made with iodised baker’s salt
The agreement on baker’s salt published by Government.nl does not confirm which salt was used in an individual loaf.
If the type of salt used matters to your choice, check the product-specific ingredients information.
Brands and shops to consider
These shops list various wholemeal breads and loaf sizes. Check which version is actually available at your chosen shop, and read the latest packaging.
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists products including AH Tiger Wholemeal Loaf, Whole, and has an online wholemeal bread category.
- You can compare a tiger wholemeal option with other listed wholemeal breads.
- Albert Heijn states that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information can change, so check the packaging.
Lidl
Lidl Netherlands lists Fine Wholemeal and Tiger Wholemeal as separate bread products.
- The different names help you search for the type of bread you want.
- Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific version you buy.
ALDI
ALDI Netherlands lists Farmhouse Tiger Wholemeal Loaf, Whole, and a separate Extra High-Fibre Wholemeal Bread.
- According to the product listing, the Farmhouse Tiger Wholemeal Loaf, Whole, is pre-sliced, which can make serving easier.
- A feature or nutritional value of one ALDI loaf doesn’t automatically apply to another; compare the exact packaging.
PLUS
PLUS also lists Korenlanders Farmhouse Tiger Wholemeal Loaf as a half loaf.
- A half loaf can be practical if you’re serving a second type of bread alongside wholemeal.
- Check whether this size is available at your chosen shop and read the latest product information.
Dirk
Dirk’s bread range includes wholemeal bread, white bread and multigrain bread.
- These separate types of bread give you options if you want to offer your guests more than one choice.
- Check the exact name and ingredients of each loaf; multigrain doesn’t automatically mean wholemeal.
Bread options at Joybuy
Below are a Lebanese flatbread and round loaves that you could consider serving as different types of bread for Easter brunch. The English term “whole wheat” on its own doesn’t confirm that all the flour used is wholemeal; check the ingredients if this is essential to your choice.
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Souq Lebanese Bread Whole Wheat, 6 P
This Lebanese flatbread offers a different way to serve bread from a sliced loaf; consider whether it suits what you want on the table.
Check the latest ingredients and allergen information on the packaging, especially if you need to cater for a food allergy.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g
A round loaf for anyone who wants to serve this shape at brunch; remember to allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling when planning.
Check the ingredients if it’s important to you that the bread contains only wholemeal flour.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread, 2 × 550 g
This pack of two round loaves is a good fit for a brunch where you want to serve more bread of the same type; decide in advance whether that quantity will suit your guests.
Allow time for baking, and check the ingredients if fully wholemeal flour is essential.
Frequently asked questions
Is wholemeal bread made partly with white flour?
No. According to the Consumers’ Association, the Dutch term “wholemeal” on bread means that all the flour used is wholemeal flour. A brown colour or the term “multigrain” doesn’t offer the same assurance; check the ingredients information for bread with a different name.
What should I serve if not everyone wants wholemeal bread?
Serve a wholemeal loaf and a separate white loaf if your guests have different preferences. You could choose fine or tiger wholemeal bread for the wholemeal option, but don’t assume that a particular type will appeal to everyone.
How should I store leftover wholemeal bread?
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s Storage Guide, opened wholemeal bread can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or frozen for 1–3 months. Before brunch, plan what you’ll serve straight away and what you want to store; throw away any mouldy bread.
Where should I check allergen information if a guest has an allergy?
For packaged bread, check the label on the product you’re buying. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask about the allergen information before you buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens must be listed on labels; don’t rely solely on a product page you viewed earlier.
Does every loaf contain iodised baker’s salt?
You can’t assume this is true of every individual loaf. The agreement published by Government.nl in 2008 concerns the use of iodised baker’s salt by participating parties, not the ingredients of every loaf. Check the product-specific information if the type of salt used matters to your choice.