Which bread shape is right for you?

If you’re putting together a sharing board

If you want to cut slices to suit dips, cheese or other toppings, a whole loaf lets you choose the thickness. If you’d rather serve smaller slices, look for a wholemeal sourdough baguette.

If you want to compare ingredients

If wholemeal content, ingredients or nutritional information matter to you, read the product description and compare fibre and salt per 100 g where relevant. The word ‘sourdough’ doesn’t tell you what other ingredients have been used.

If you’re planning for guests

If anyone has an allergy, check the information on the exact packaging, including any warnings about possible traces. Also check whether you’ll need to buy the bread in store or can order it online.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide how you want to serve the bread. Then compare the ingredients in suitable varieties and check the allergens and availability of the exact product before buying.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Bread shape and serving Choose between a whole loaf to slice yourself and a baguette for smaller slices. Think about the portion size you want, too. If I’m serving bread with different dips and toppings, I want to choose the size of the slices myself. For around 42% of consumers choosing wholemeal sourdough for a drinks party, how it’s served comes first.
Wholemeal content and ingredients Read the product description and ingredients list; compare fibre and salt per 100 g if these matter to you. If a loaf looks rustic, I want to be sure the variety I choose is genuinely wholemeal. The ingredients are the main purchasing consideration for around 33% of consumers.
Allergens and availability Check the allergens on the exact packaging and see whether the variety is available in store or can be ordered online. If guests need to avoid certain ingredients or I need to collect the bread on time, that determines which variety I can choose. For roughly 25% of consumers, these practical considerations matter most.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means no baker’s yeast

    Bread can contain both. PLUS’s small wholemeal sourdough loaf lists baker’s yeast as well as sourdough.

    If you want to avoid baker’s yeast, check the ingredients on the exact packaging rather than relying on the name alone.

  • Assuming sourdough is gluten-free

    The wholemeal sourdough products mentioned contain wheat or other gluten-containing grains. Being made with sourdough doesn’t change the allergen information.

    If you need gluten-free bread, choose a product explicitly labelled as gluten-free and read the warnings about possible traces, too.

  • Judging by a dark crust

    A rustic appearance or a ‘multigrain’ label doesn’t, on its own, tell you whether a loaf is wholemeal. Seeds may also be relevant for guests with allergies.

    First check the product description, ingredients and allergen information. Then choose the shape and crust that suit your drinks party.

  • Assuming in-store bread can be ordered online

    Jumbo describes its rustic sourdough breads as available in store only. Lidl also lists its rustic wholemeal sourdough bread as an in-store product.

    Check how your chosen variety can be bought before planning your shopping for the drinks party.

Brands to explore

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists a wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf in its Love & Passion range.

  • For this product, Albert Heijn lists 9,6% wholemeal wheat sourdough and iodised salt.
  • The bread contains wheat and gluten-containing grains; check the current packaging for other allergens.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a range of rustic sourdough breads baked in store.

  • According to Jumbo, these breads rise for more than 24 hours using fresh sourdough starter.
  • Jumbo says this range cannot be ordered online. Check whether each loaf is wholemeal, too.

Lidl

Lidl lists a rustic wholemeal wheat sourdough loaf.

  • The product description mentions both wholemeal wheat and sourdough.
  • Lidl lists this bread as available in store only. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging you choose.

ALDI

ALDI lists a rustic extra-wholemeal variety among its Bakkersgoud breads.

  • According to ALDI, its freshly baked range is available in stores with an in-store bakery.
  • For the variety you choose, check separately whether sourdough is mentioned in the product description or ingredients list.

PLUS

PLUS lists both a small wholemeal sourdough loaf with poppy seeds and a wholemeal wheat sourdough baguette.

  • The small loaf lists 51% wholemeal wheat flour and 8% sourdough; the baguette offers another shape to cut into slices for your drinks party.
  • The small loaf also lists baker’s yeast. Check the allergens on the exact packaging for both varieties.

Dirk

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

  • The bread category gives you a starting point for looking for both product features.
  • For each loaf you choose, check that the product description specifically mentions both wholemeal and sourdough.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I identify wholemeal sourdough bread?

Check the product description, then read the ingredients list. Albert Heijn describes its loaf as wholemeal wheat sourdough; PLUS calls its baguette a wholemeal wheat sourdough baguette. A dark or rustic crust alone isn’t proof that a loaf is wholemeal.

Is sourdough always made without baker’s yeast?

No. PLUS’s small wholemeal sourdough loaf lists both sourdough and baker’s yeast. If you want to avoid baker’s yeast, read the ingredients for the exact variety.

Can I serve wholemeal sourdough to someone who eats gluten-free?

Don’t assume wholemeal sourdough is gluten-free: the Albert Heijn and PLUS products mentioned contain gluten-containing grains. If needed, choose a product explicitly labelled as gluten-free and check the allergen information, including warnings about possible traces.

Can I order rustic sourdough online for a drinks party?

It depends on the product. Jumbo lists its rustic sourdough breads as available in store only, while Lidl describes the rustic wholemeal sourdough bread mentioned as an in-store product. Check how you can buy the variety you want to serve.

How can I tell whether wholemeal sourdough contains iodised salt?

Read the ingredients for the loaf you choose. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in its wholemeal wheat sourdough bread mentioned here; don’t assume another loaf has the same ingredients.