Who is this choice relevant to?

Anyone serving pea soup to several people

You want to serve enough slices alongside the soup and are looking for a loaf size that suits your group.

Small households baking just before mealtimes

You’re looking for a smaller portion and don’t mind finishing off a part-baked wholemeal sourdough loaf just before your meal.

Anyone who reads ingredients and labels carefully

You want to check whether the bread is wholemeal and see which allergens and types of salt are listed for that particular variety.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide how much bread you want to serve with your pea soup and whether finishing it off in the oven fits your plans. Then compare the wholemeal claim and the label information for the variety you’ve chosen.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Size and serving Check the weight and choose between a whole, sliced or part-baked loaf. If it needs finishing in the oven, allow time for preparation. When I’m serving a meal to several people, I want enough slices on the table. For a small group, I’d rather not cut into a whole loaf. Around 44% of consumers prioritise size and serving.
Wholemeal and fibre Look for the wholemeal claim and compare fibre figures on a like-for-like basis, for example per 100 g. If I specifically want wholemeal bread with my soup, I don’t rely on the word sourdough or a dark crust alone. Around 33% of consumers make choosing wholemeal their top priority.
Ingredients and allergens Read the up-to-date ingredients and allergen information for your chosen variety, and check whether iodised baker’s salt is listed if that matters to you. If ingredients need extra attention in my household, I want to know what’s in the bread before I serve it. Around 23% of consumers prioritise ingredient transparency.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means wholemeal

    Sourdough describes the leavening method, not the type of grain used. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, the term wholemeal on bread is linked to the use of wholemeal flour. A rustic name or brown colour is no substitute for that claim.

    Check that the product description says wholemeal and, if in doubt, read the ingredients list.

  • Assuming it contains iodised salt based on the bread style

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So even with sourdough, you can’t tell from the name whether it contains it.

    Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt on the label, or ask which type of salt has been used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.

  • Choosing a seeded loaf without reading the label

    Ingredients and allergens vary between bread varieties. A product name or image doesn’t tell you exactly which grains, seeds or other ingredients have been used.

    Read the up-to-date allergen information for the specific loaf you’re buying.

  • Buying a whole loaf without a plan for the leftovers

    A large loaf may suit a group, but you could have some left over after a meal for a small household.

    Choose a smaller loaf or check the storage instructions if you want to freeze some.

Brands to compare

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists products including AH Liefde & Passie Nederlands desem volkoren and AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson.

  • The product information includes ingredients and nutritional details; the OerDesem loaf is sold whole and weighs 800 g.
  • Check the current packaging and in-store availability of the variety you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a range of sourdough breads available to buy in store, including a wholemeal variety with pumpkin seeds.

  • The range offers an in-store option if you want to choose your bread yourself before the meal.
  • Not every sourdough variety is wholemeal, so check the product description on the loaf on the shelf.

Lidl

Lidl lists a Rustiek volkoren desembrood and describes it as wholemeal wheat sourdough bread.

  • The product description clearly states that it is both wholemeal and sourdough.
  • The bread is listed as an in-store product; check the current product information for ingredients and allergens.

PLUS

PLUS lists a 300 g part-baked Korenlanders Kleintje desembrood volkoren maanzaad and a wholemeal sourdough baguette.

  • The smaller part-baked loaf offers an alternative size to a whole loaf.
  • The mini loaf also contains seeds, baker’s yeast and an emulsifier, so check the ingredients for the variety you choose.

Dirk

Dirk lists both wholemeal bread and sourdough in its bread range, as well as a wholemeal floor-baked loaf.

  • The floor-baked loaf is worth considering if wholemeal matters more to you than sourdough.
  • Don’t assume this floor-baked loaf is also sourdough; check the product description.

Joybuy products on this topic

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Is sourdough automatically wholemeal?

No. Sourdough is a leavening method; wholemeal describes the type of grain used. If you want wholemeal bread with your pea soup, check the wholemeal claim in the product description, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority.

Is sourdough always made with iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt isn’t compulsory. Read the ingredients list or, if you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask which type of salt has been used. The bread style won’t tell you.

Can I keep a whole loaf for another meal of soup?

You can if the storage instructions for the loaf allow it. Albert Heijn says that AH OerDesem volkoren Allinson can be frozen on the day of purchase; for other loaves, follow the instructions on their own label.

Why should I read the allergen information on wholemeal sourdough too?

Because wholemeal and sourdough don’t tell you all the ingredients used or which allergens may be present. Check the current information for the specific variety you’re serving, especially if ingredients need extra attention in your household.