A whole, round loaf of wholemeal bread is a good choice for an Italian evening if you want to slice and share bread alongside antipasti, soup or dips. For small pieces with toppings, a wholemeal baguette is a natural fit; wholemeal flatbread can also work well with dips. Whichever type you choose, check that it is genuinely wholemeal and read the ingredients and allergen information for the bread you buy.
Want to slice and share bread alongside antipasti, dips or soup? Look for a whole or unsliced loaf of wholemeal bread. Check its shape and how its crust and texture are described, rather than relying on the word ‘rustic’ alone.
A wholemeal baguette is a natural choice for small pieces with toppings. A small sourdough loaf could also work if you want to cut your own portions. If any guests have allergies, check the information on the exact product packaging.
If there are plenty of other dishes on the table, the bread doesn’t need to be the centrepiece. Choose a size your group is likely to finish and, if you wish, compare the nutritional values per 100 g for wholemeal options.
First, decide whether you want to slice the bread, add toppings or serve it with dips. Then check the wholemeal description, size and labelling for the exact product.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Shape and texture | Check whether the bread is whole or unsliced, and read how its crust and texture are described. | If I want to make a feature of the bread on the table, I’m looking for a shape I can slice and share. Around 33% of consumers would put presentation and texture first. |
| Wholemeal and nutritional value | Check that the exact product is labelled wholemeal; compare fibre and salt per 100 g if needed. | I specifically want wholemeal bread for this meal, even if a different type of loaf looks appealing. For around 27% of consumers, wholemeal nutritional value would be the main consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact packaging, including any ‘may contain’ information. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check which bread I’m serving. Around 20% of consumers would make this their first priority. |
| Size and convenience | Choose an appropriate quantity and, for bake-at-home bread, check the preparation instructions. | With several dishes on the table, I don’t want an unnecessarily large loaf or unexpected preparation just before the meal. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise the right quantity and easy serving. |
Sourdough describes how the bread is made; ‘multigrain’ doesn’t automatically mean it’s wholemeal. A rustic appearance doesn’t tell you either.
Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ on the bread you want to buy and check the ingredients if you’re unsure.
Ingredients and allergen information vary from one loaf to another. The Korenlanders wholemeal baguette described by PLUS contains, among other ingredients, wheat, rye, barley and spelt; PLUS also notes the possible presence of other allergens.
Check the packaging of the exact product before serving. If a guest needs to avoid certain allergens, choose a bread only after checking the relevant labelling.
According to Brood.net, using iodised baker’s salt is not a legal requirement in the Netherlands. The Dutch agreement on baker’s salt, published in the Government Gazette on 28 October 2008, encourages its use in bread made for the Dutch market.
Don’t assume which type of salt has been used based on the bread’s name. Check the ingredients list if this information matters to your choice.
If there are lots of other dishes, you could end up with a whole loaf left over. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre lists bread as a food that is often wasted.
Choose a smaller size if it better suits the number of people eating. Follow the packaging instructions for storing any leftovers.
AH Liefde & Passie includes wholemeal and OerDesem options, among others, for anyone who wants to slice a loaf at the table.
Jumbo stocks a range of wholemeal loaves, rolls and bake-at-home products.
Lidl lists a rustic wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf for anyone who wants to serve a whole loaf at the table.
Aldi sells both an extra high-fibre wholemeal loaf and a wholemeal multigrain loaf.
PLUS Korenlanders includes a small wholemeal sourdough loaf with poppy seeds and a wholemeal baguette, among other products.
Dirk lists a wholemeal bâtard, among other options, for anyone who wants to share a whole loaf.
For a sharing board, there’s a round wholemeal loaf; for dips, there’s Lebanese wholemeal flatbread. Choose according to how you want to serve the bread: flatbread is different from a whole table loaf or a baguette for bruschetta.
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The round shape makes this loaf a good choice if you want to slice and share it at the table.
Thawing and baking instructions are provided for this loaf. Check the preparation instructions on the packaging before serving.
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This flatbread goes well with dips and is easy to break into smaller pieces to share, but it isn’t shaped like a whole table loaf or a baguette.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before serving.
No. Sourdough describes how the bread rises, not whether it’s wholemeal. Check the product name and ingredients for the option you want to buy.
A wholemeal baguette works well for small pieces with toppings; a round loaf is a good choice if you mainly want to slice and share bread at the table. Check the information for the exact product in either case, especially if guests need to avoid certain ingredients.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact packaging, including any ‘may contain’ information. The terms ‘wholemeal’, ‘sourdough’ and ‘rustic’ don’t tell you everything about the ingredients in a loaf.
No. According to Brood.net, its use is not a legal requirement. The agreement published in the Government Gazette on 28 October 2008 encourages Dutch bakeries producing for the Dutch market to use it; don’t assume a particular type of salt is used in imported or organic bread either. Check the ingredients list if this matters to your choice.
Choose a loaf size that suits the number of people eating and the other dishes on the table. If you have bread left over, follow the product’s storage instructions and check whether it can be frozen according to those instructions.
