Which bread is right for you?

For sharing and dipping

If you’re serving bread alongside dips, vegetables or toppings, the crust, texture and sourdough flavour you’re after are good reasons to consider a rustic loaf. Choose a size to suit the number of people you’re feeding.

For cooking for a small group

A smaller wholemeal sourdough loaf may be a better fit for a smaller group. As well as checking the size, follow the preparation and storage instructions for the variant you choose.

For careful label readers

If the wholemeal claim, ingredients or allergens are key to your choice, the information for the exact variant matters more than the bread’s colour or the word ‘sourdough’ on its own.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide what you want the bread to bring to the table. Then check the wholemeal claim and the label of the variant you’re actually choosing.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Flavour, crust and sharing Check whether the bread is described as sourdough and whether its shape and size work for dips and sharing dishes. NielsenIQ cites flavour and a crispy crust as reasons for choosing sourdough. If bread is a standout part of the meal, I want its flavour and crust to go well with what I’m serving. For around 31% of consumers, this combination comes first.
Wholemeal claim Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and read the ingredients. A dark colour or a multigrain name isn’t enough. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made with 100% wholemeal flour. I want to be sure I’m buying wholemeal bread, rather than relying on how it looks. This is the main concern for around 31% of consumers.
Ingredients and allergens Check the allergen information for the exact variant and see whether its ingredients include baker’s yeast as well as sourdough. If someone at the table needs to avoid certain ingredients, I need the information for this particular loaf. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this check.
Size and convenience Compare the loaf’s weight with the number of people you’re feeding, and check whether it’s available in store or needs to be baked off. For a small group, I want an amount that suits the meal without leaving unnecessary leftovers. This matters most to around 15% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means there’s no baker’s yeast

    A loaf can contain both sourdough and baker’s yeast. For example, the ingredients for AH Liefde & Passie Desem volkoren list both.

    If you need to avoid baker’s yeast, check the ingredients for the exact variant rather than relying on the product name.

  • Assuming every loaf contains iodised baker’s salt

    According to the Voedingscentrum, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s included just from the type of bread.

    Check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt. If the bread isn’t packaged, ask what was used.

  • Treating brown, multigrain and wholemeal bread as the same thing

    A dark colour or several types of grain doesn’t confirm that a loaf is wholemeal. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made with 100% wholemeal flour.

    Look for the word ‘wholemeal’ and read the ingredients list if the front-of-pack description isn’t clear.

  • Choosing a large loaf without considering the group

    You could end up with leftover bread if you’re serving a small meal. The Voedingscentrum lists bread among the foods that are often wasted.

    Choose a size to suit the number of people you’re feeding, and follow the storage or baking instructions if you plan to use some later.

Brands to consider

These examples show how product information can vary from one loaf to another. Always check the label of the variant you choose.

Albert Heijn

AH Liefde & Passie Desem volkoren is an example of a wheat and rye sourdough loaf with ingredients and nutritional information available online.

  • The product information lists 11% wheat sourdough, iodised salt and 6.7 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • The same ingredients list also includes baker’s yeast, so ‘sourdough’ doesn’t mean that baker’s yeast is absent in this case.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a range of rustic sourdough loaves for anyone who values crust and flavour with a meal to share.

  • According to Jumbo, the loaves in this range are left to rise for more than 24 hours with fresh sourdough.
  • Jumbo says this range is available in store and can’t be ordered online. For a specific variant, also check the wholemeal claim and allergen information.

Lidl

Lidl describes its Rustiek volkoren desembrood as a wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf.

  • The product listing says this loaf is available in store.
  • For the exact ingredients and allergen information, check the details displayed with the bread in store.

ALDI

ALDI offers freshly baked wholemeal loaves as an option if sourdough isn’t essential.

  • According to ALDI, its wholemeal loaves are made with 100% wholemeal flour.
  • For a specific loaf, don’t assume it’s made with sourdough unless this is stated on the product.

PLUS

PLUS offers, among other options, a smaller wholemeal sourdough loaf and a wholemeal sourdough baguette, with product information about ingredients and nutritional values.

  • The Korenlanders Kleintje desembrood volkoren maanzaad weighs 300 g; its ingredients list 51% wholemeal wheat flour and 8% sourdough.
  • Check the allergens for both variants. The Kleintje contains poppy seeds, while the baguette is part-baked and comes with preparation instructions.

Dirk

Bakker van der Akker’s wholemeal bâtard is an example of a wholemeal loaf to consider alongside sourdough bread.

  • The product name specifies that it’s wholemeal.
  • Don’t choose this bâtard solely for its shape if sourdough is essential; check the product information to confirm how it’s made.

Joybuy products related to this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

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

No, sourdough bread can also contain baker’s yeast. The ingredients list for AH Liefde & Passie Desem volkoren includes both wheat sourdough and baker’s yeast. Check the exact variant if this distinction matters to your choice.

Does every loaf contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Voedingscentrum, bread doesn’t have to be made with baker’s salt. Check the label to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt has been used, or ask if the bread isn’t packaged.

How can I identify wholemeal bread if I also want sourdough?

Look for both the word ‘wholemeal’ and information about sourdough on the variant you choose. According to the Voedingscentrum, wholemeal bread is made with 100% wholemeal flour; a dark colour or a multigrain name doesn’t confirm this.

What should I check if someone at the table has a food allergy?

Read the latest allergen information for the exact loaf before serving it. The PLUS sourdough variants listed contain cereals containing gluten. The Korenlanders Kleintje also lists poppy seeds and the possible presence of other allergens.