If you need bread to last for several days after your weekly shop, wholemeal rye or cracked rye bread is a good option: according to the consumer advice centre, these breads stay fresh for longer than wheat-based breads. If you prefer a freshly baked crust, plan to eat the bread soon after buying it. If you get through bread more slowly, choose a suitable quantity and consider freezing some slices. To check whether a loaf matches the rye sourdough recipe you want, look at its name and ingredients list.
If you only shop once a week, plan how much bread to buy and how to store it. According to the consumer advice centre, rye, wholemeal and cracked-grain breads stay fresh for longer than wheat-based breads. You can freeze any spare slices for later.
If you’re looking for wholemeal rye and sourdough, compare the ingredients lists on individual loaves. Product details from REWE and EDEKA24 show that recipes vary, with ingredients such as cracked wholemeal rye, natural sourdough and more.
Freshly baked bread from the in-store bakery is a good choice for your weekly shop if you’ll eat it soon or freeze some of it. Lidl’s in-store bakery description includes crusty bread made with natural sourdough; check the recipe of the loaf you want in store.
First, think about when you’ll eat the bread. Then you can better assess the pack size, ingredients and whether to buy packaged bread or a freshly baked loaf from the in-store bakery.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| How much to buy and how to keep it fresh | Match the quantity and storage advice to how quickly you get through bread; decide early which slices to freeze. | If I only buy bread once a week, I don’t want to throw any away before my next shop. Around 40% of consumers put planning their supplies first. |
| Rye and sourdough | Compare the product name and ingredients list: which rye ingredients and type of sourdough are specified? | If a rye-based recipe matters to me, the word ‘sourdough’ on the packaging isn’t enough. For around 30% of consumers, the ingredients are the main consideration. |
| Freshness and crust | For bread from the in-store bakery, ask for the ingredients and allergen information, and choose a quantity you can eat soon. | I mainly want to eat my bread fresh, so I’m happy to freeze the rest of the loaf sooner. Freshness and crust are the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
Sourdough alone doesn’t tell you which grain makes up the largest share. For example, a sourdough bread listed by REWE as organic contains 65% wheat flour, 15% wholemeal wheat flour and 5% rye flour.
If you’re looking for wholemeal rye bread, check the bread’s name and the rye ingredients listed rather than relying on the word ‘sourdough’.
Freshly bought bread won’t necessarily stay at its best for the whole week. How long rye bread stays fresh also depends on the type of bread and how it’s stored. According to the consumer advice centre, wholemeal and cracked-grain breads tend to stay fresh for longer.
Choose a quantity that suits how quickly you’ll eat it, and freeze any slices you won’t need until later. According to the consumer advice centre, bread with visible mould should be thrown away in its entirety.
The word ‘rye’ doesn’t tell you everything that’s in the bread. For example, the Pema rye sourdough bread listed by REWE contains sweet lupin flour and has a ‘may contain wheat’ warning. According to the German Coeliac Society, rye itself contains gluten.
If you have specific dietary requirements, read the information for the exact loaf you’re buying. For loose bakery items, ask for the available ingredients and allergen information.
REWE lists a 500 g packaged Pema rye sourdough loaf.
EDEKA24 stocks a 500 g packaged organic wholemeal rye loaf.
Lidl describes its in-store bakery range as offering freshly baked bread, including crusty bread made with natural sourdough.
ALDI SÜD stocks a NUR NUR NATUR organic wholemeal rye loaf in a 375-g pack.
According to the consumer advice centre, breads with a high rye, wholemeal or cracked-grain content stay fresh for longer than wheat-based breads. You should still consider the quantity and storage advice for the product you choose. If you get through bread slowly, you can freeze some slices early on.
Bread is best stored at room temperature in a dry place away from light, such as in a clean bread bin. For packaged bread, also follow the advice for storage after opening, and freeze any slices you won’t need until later in the week.
No. ‘Sourdough’ doesn’t tell you which grain makes up the largest share. For example, an organic sourdough bread listed by REWE contains 65% wheat flour, 15% wholemeal wheat flour and 5% rye flour. So if you want a rye-based loaf, check its name and ingredients list.
Check the ingredients and ‘may contain’ information for each loaf, even if you’ve bought the same type of bread before. According to the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, allergens present in prepacked foods must be highlighted. For loose bread from an in-store bakery, check the available allergen information before buying.