Choose a wholemeal loaf if you want to decide how thick to cut the slices for generous toppings. Pre-sliced bread is more convenient when you need to prepare even-sized bites quickly. Names such as ‘farmhouse’, ‘coarse’ or ‘sturdy’ don’t tell you how thick the slices are or how well they’ll hold your toppings. So check the cut, then compare the ingredients, nutrition per 100 g and allergens on the label.
If you want to top slices with spreads, cheese or vegetables, a whole round loaf, farmhouse loaf or hearth-baked loaf is worth considering: you can choose the thickness yourself. Check that the bread is sold whole and that the cut works with your toppings.
Pre-sliced wholemeal bread can save you time when you’re putting together a platter of evenly sized bites. The slice thickness is fixed, though, so check it before choosing your toppings.
If you want to compare fibre, salt or allergens as well as the shape of the loaf, check the nutrition information per 100 g and the ingredients list. If baker’s salt matters to you, check whether it’s listed on the label: according to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use it.
First decide whether you want to cut thick slices yourself or serve quickly. Then compare the nutrition information and ingredients of the loaves you’re considering for your drinks party.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Slice thickness and loaf shape | Check whether the bread is whole or pre-sliced, and look at the actual cut. | When I’m adding generous toppings, I want to choose how thick the slices are. This is the most important consideration for around 40% of consumers. |
| Serving quickly | For pre-sliced bread, check whether the slices are the right size for your toppings and portions. | If I need to get the bites on the table quickly, I don’t want to slice every loaf myself. Around 30% of consumers prioritise convenience when serving. |
| Label and nutrition information | Compare ingredients, allergens, fibre and salt per 100 g; check whether baker’s salt is listed if relevant. | I want to choose a wholemeal base and know what’s in the bread, too. Around 30% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
‘Farmhouse’, ‘coarse’ and ‘sturdy’ can help you find a type of bread, but they don’t tell you how thick a pre-sliced piece will be.
Check the cut before buying. Choose a whole loaf if being able to slice it yourself is important for your toppings.
The colour of the crust and one claim don’t give you the full picture of a particular loaf’s ingredients and nutritional value.
Read the ingredients list and compare fibre and salt per 100 g. Also check the allergen information that’s relevant to your guests.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So don’t assume it’s included based on the type of bread.
Check the label or ask the baker if you want to know whether the loaf you’ve chosen contains baker’s salt.
Lidl says its fresh bread range can vary from one store to another. So a loaf you see online may not be available at your local shop.
Check the range at the shop where you plan to buy your groceries shortly before your drinks party, and read the packaging of the loaf you pick up.
Albert Heijn’s online wholemeal range includes hearth-baked loaves and round wholemeal loaves.
Jumbo lists products including round coarse wholemeal bread, sturdy wholemeal sunflower seed bread and wholemeal toast bread.
Lidl offers oven-fresh and packaged bread, as well as wholemeal rolls.
ALDI lists products including fine wholemeal bread and a separate extra-high-fibre wholemeal bread.
PLUS lists products including Boeren volkoren heel, with ingredients and nutrition information on the product page.
Dirk lists products including round, farmhouse, hearth-baked and batard-shaped wholemeal loaves.
These Joybuy products offer different ways to serve bites with drinks: the round loaves are designed to be sliced at home, while the rye bread is a different type of bread and portion option. Check the cut and label for each product before choosing it for your toppings.
Image unavailable
For hosts who want to slice their own pieces; the pack contains two round loaves of 550 g. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling before slicing. Check the crumb and read the label for allergens and baker’s salt if that information matters to you.
Image unavailable
For anyone who wants to buy one round loaf and slice it themselves. Allow time for defrosting, baking and cooling. You can choose the thickness you want; also check the crumb and read the label if allergens or baker’s salt matter to you.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if individual portions matter more to you than slicing thick pieces yourself. Rye bread isn’t the same type of product as a round wholemeal wheat loaf, so check the ingredients and actual slice thickness for your drinks-party toppings. If you have allergies, read the current packaging.
Start with a whole loaf if you want to decide how thick to cut the slices. Then check the crumb and the actual cut against your toppings; names such as ‘hearth-baked’, ‘farmhouse’ or ‘coarse’ don’t guarantee a particular thickness or that the slice will hold your toppings.
Pre-sliced bread saves you time, provided the slices are right for the bites you want to serve. Check the slice thickness before buying, as you can’t change it afterwards.
Check the ingredients, allergens and nutrition information for fibre and salt per 100 g. For example, the product information for PLUS Boeren volkoren heel lists 6,7 g of fibre and 1,03 g of salt per 100 g; check the current packaging for the details of the loaf you choose.
No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients on the label or ask the baker if you want to know whether a particular loaf contains it.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging of the loaf you’ve chosen. Also check whether it includes instructions for freezing and defrosting, so you can plan ahead for your drinks party.
