Which option is right for you?

If you want bread to share at the barbecue

You can cut a baguette into pieces to serve with dips or grilled dishes; sliced bread is another option if you’re making topped slices. Compare the weight and check whether you’ll need to slice or bake it.

If you’re looking for both wholemeal and sourdough

A rustic appearance doesn’t confirm either of these qualities. Read the product description and ingredients list to check that it’s wholemeal and contains sourdough; also look to see whether baker’s yeast has been added.

If you need to consider your guests’ allergens

Check the latest allergen information for the bread you’re buying. Standard wholemeal sourdough breads may contain wheat and other gluten-containing cereals. Don’t assume a bread is suitable for a special diet just because it’s described as sourdough.

What should you look for?

Start with how you plan to serve the bread, then use the label to weigh up its ingredients, allergens and storage requirements.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Bread shape and sharing Compare the weight, number of rolls, shape and any baking instructions. If you want to serve bread with dips or prepare topped slices, the serving style determines how much work you’ll need to do. Around 37% of consumers put ease of sharing first.
Wholemeal ingredients Read the product description and ingredients; compare fibre and salt per 100 g. You’ll want to check that a loaf really is wholemeal and made with sourdough, rather than judging by its dark crust. Around 27% of consumers give these ingredients top priority.
Buying ahead and storage Check the storage advice and whether you can freeze the bread according to the product instructions. If you’re shopping before the barbecue, you may want to defrost only the amount you need. Storage planning comes first for around 18% of consumers.
Allergens and dietary requirements Check the latest allergen information and, if needed, look for an explicit gluten-free label. If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, the suitability of that particular bread matters more than its shape or flavour. For around 18% of consumers, this is their main concern.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough always means bread without baker’s yeast

    A loaf can contain both: Albert Heijn lists both wholemeal wheat sourdough and baker’s yeast in AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson.

    If the baking method affects your choice, look for sourdough and any baker’s yeast in the ingredients list.

  • Assuming wholemeal sourdough is automatically gluten-free

    Sourdough doesn’t remove gluten. The standard products described by Albert Heijn and PLUS contain wheat or other gluten-containing cereals.

    If you need a gluten-free product, choose only bread that is explicitly labelled gluten-free, and check the rest of the allergen information too.

  • Buying more bread than you can serve or store

    Bread left for too long can dry out or go mouldy. According to the Voedingscentrum, opened wholemeal sourdough can be stored for 2–4 days in a kitchen cupboard or 1–3 months in the freezer.

    Work out in advance how many slices, pieces or rolls you’ll need. If you want to use some of the bread later, it’s best to freeze it in portions as soon as you buy it.

  • Mistaking a product page for a guarantee of availability

    Where you can buy each product varies: Jumbo describes sourdough loaves baked in store that can’t be ordered online, while Lidl lists its rustic wholemeal sourdough as an in-store product.

    Check shortly before the barbecue whether your chosen bread is available locally or can be ordered, and have another type of bread in mind just in case.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists, among other options, a Dutch wholemeal sourdough loaf and a sliced AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson.

  • The product information lists the ingredients and allergens for each loaf, so you can check which variety you’re choosing.
  • Check the packaging when you buy, as product information and availability can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes sourdough loaves baked in store and also lists rolls made with wholemeal flour and sourdough.

  • Jumbo says its sourdough loaves baked in store are left to rise with fresh sourdough for more than 24 hours.
  • According to Jumbo, these loaves baked in store can’t be ordered online. Check what’s available in store if you’re looking for a particular variety.

PLUS

PLUS describes its Korenlanders wholemeal baguette as a wholemeal wheat sourdough baguette.

  • The product information lets you check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for this variety.
  • This baguette contains several gluten-containing cereals. Check the label if you’re buying for guests with dietary requirements.

Lidl

Lidl describes its rustic wholemeal sourdough as a wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf.

  • The product description mentions both wholemeal flour and sourdough.
  • Lidl lists this bread as available in store only. Check the latest product information or shelf label for ingredients and allergens.

ALDI

ALDI lists Bakkersgoud Rustiek extra volkoren among its freshly baked bread range, among other products.

  • You can compare the bread shapes when shopping at a store with an in-store bakery.
  • Don’t assume that ‘extra volkoren’ means the bread contains sourdough; check the label of the loaf you choose.

Dirk

Dirk lists both wholemeal bread and sourdough in its bread category.

  • You can browse different bread shapes within the category.
  • For any particular loaf, check that both the product description and ingredients confirm it’s wholemeal and contains sourdough.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does sourdough bread mean it contains no baker’s yeast?

No. Albert Heijn lists both wholemeal wheat sourdough and baker’s yeast in AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson. Read the ingredients list if you’re looking for bread with no added baker’s yeast.

Is regular wholemeal sourdough gluten-free?

No, not automatically. The standard breads described by Albert Heijn and PLUS contain wheat or other gluten-containing cereals. If you need a gluten-free option, check that the specific product is explicitly labelled gluten-free.

Can I buy wholemeal sourdough ahead of a barbecue?

Yes, as long as you store it properly. The Voedingscentrum recommends keeping opened wholemeal sourdough in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. It’s best to freeze it in portions as soon as you buy it, and always follow the storage advice and date on the packaging.

How can I tell whether bread contains iodised salt?

Check the ingredients list for the specific loaf; don’t assume that every bread contains the same type of salt. Albert Heijn explicitly lists iodised salt in the wholemeal sourdough breads described, while PLUS lists baker’s salt in its wholemeal baguette described here.