For split pea soup, start by looking for coarse or sturdy wholemeal bread, or choose a whole loaf if you want to decide how thick to cut each slice yourself. These descriptions don’t guarantee a thick or sturdy slice, so check how the loaf is cut and read the label if wholemeal ingredients, allergens or baker’s salt matter to you.
You might want to eat the bread alongside your soup or pile on generous toppings. Descriptions such as coarse, sturdy and hearth-baked can help you find what you’re looking for, but check for yourself that the slice is thick enough for how you plan to use it.
You’re looking for bread labelled as wholemeal and want to compare its ingredients and nutritional information. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes wholemeal products as being made from the entire grain.
You want to read the allergen information before buying, or check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used. Check the packaging of the bread you choose.
First, decide what matters most to you in wholemeal bread served with split pea soup: the slice, the wholemeal labelling or the information on the label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Firmness and how it is sliced | Look for coarse, sturdy or hearth-baked bread, and check whether the loaf is whole or sliced. Judge the slice itself. | If I’m eating bread with thick split pea soup or adding generous toppings, I want a slice that feels sturdy enough for me. Around 42% of consumers would put this first. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check the wholemeal labelling and ingredients; compare fibre on the same basis, per 100 g. | I want to be sure I’m choosing wholemeal bread and be able to compare its nutritional value, even if another type of slice seems more convenient. For around 33% of consumers, this would be their top priority. |
| Label and convenience | Read the up-to-date allergen and ingredient information, including any mention of baker’s salt, and check the storage advice. | If I need to take allergens into account or want to know which salt has been used, I need clear information on the packaging before serving the bread. This would be the main consideration for around 25% of consumers. |
Coarse and sturdy are useful descriptions when looking for bread, but they don’t tell you how thick the slices are. Even a whole loaf only gives you the slice you want once you’ve cut it yourself.
Check whether the loaf is whole or pre-sliced, and look at the slice on the packaging or in the shop.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s included just from the type of bread.
Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask the baker.
A dark colour or the name multigrain doesn’t confirm that the bread is wholemeal. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal products are made from the entire grain.
For this meal, first choose bread explicitly labelled as wholemeal, then read the ingredients and nutritional information.
A bread page you viewed previously is no substitute for checking the packaging of the product you’re actually buying, especially if ingredients or allergens are important to you.
Check the current packaging when you buy, and ask in the shop how the bread is sliced if this isn’t clear.
Albert Heijn offers a range that includes coarse and whole wholemeal loaves.
Jumbo uses descriptions such as coarse and sturdy across its wholemeal range.
PLUS Coarse wholemeal loaf (whole) is an option if you want to cut your own slices to the thickness you prefer.
ALDI offers both fine wholemeal bread and a whole loaf with an explicit fibre-focused description.
Dirk offers a wholemeal hearth loaf for anyone who wants to slice their bread at home.
These Joybuy products are wholemeal loaves that you bake at home, for anyone who wants to cut their own slice to serve with split pea soup. Once baked, check whether the texture suits the way you plan to serve it.
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For anyone who wants to choose the thickness of their slice to serve with split pea soup. This pack contains two 550 g loaves. Allow time for defrosting, baking and around 30 minutes to cool before slicing. Check the current packaging for allergen information and whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is used.
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For anyone who wants to bake one loaf and then slice it themselves to serve with soup. Allow time for defrosting, baking and around 30 minutes to cool before slicing; check the texture once baked. Read the current packaging for allergen information and any mention of baker’s salt.
No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask the baker.
Check whether the bread is explicitly labelled as wholemeal and read the ingredients list. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal products are made from the entire grain; a dark colour alone is no substitute.
Yes, if the storage advice for that loaf says it can be frozen. PLUS states that its Coarse wholemeal loaf (whole) can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. For other bread, follow the storage advice on its packaging.
Yes, if you need to avoid specific allergens. Read the current allergen information for the bread you’re buying; the wholemeal label doesn’t tell you what other ingredients or possible traces are listed for the product.
