Which bread styles suit different people

Hosting picky eaters

If seeds and grains aren’t popular at your table, it’s worth checking the ingredients in rye and wheat bread rather than going by the name alone. The products described by EDEKA and REWE have different ingredient profiles.

Hosting a burger night

If you’re planning burgers, you’re more likely to want the right type of bun than slices from a loaf. With larger packs, make sure the number of portions suits your guest list: EDEKA Foodservice describes its rye burger buns as a pre-sliced pack of 24.

Looking for wholegrain and a heartier texture

If you specifically want wholegrain, the product name and ingredients matter more than the colour of the bread. Rye wholemeal bread and rye and wheat bread aren’t the same thing, although some rye and wheat breads may also contain declared wholegrain ingredients.

What to look for when choosing

First decide whether you’re serving burgers or topped slices. Then compare the ingredients and texture with your guests’ preferences.

Criteria What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Texture and ingredients Compare the seeds, grains and cereal ingredients; if anyone has dietary restrictions, check the current allergen information. If people at the table avoid seeded bread, I don’t want any unexpected seeds in their sandwiches. For around 40% of consumers, having predictable texture and ingredients is the top priority.
Bread style and portions For burgers, look for burger buns and check the pack quantity against the number of guests. For my burger night, I need buns rather than slices from a loaf, but I don’t want to buy a pack that’s too large. The right style is the main concern for around 30% of consumers.
Wholegrain and texture Check the product name and wholegrain ingredients; only compare nutritional values when they use the same reference amount. It’s more important to me to have bread that’s clearly labelled as wholegrain than a particularly mild texture. Around 30% of consumers put wholegrain and texture first when choosing.

Avoiding common buying mistakes

  • Assuming dark colour means wholegrain

    Colour alone doesn’t tell you whether rye and wheat bread contains wholegrain. It’s not a reliable way to find bread with a wholegrain focus.

    Check the product name and ingredients such as wholemeal rye flour. Then compare the nutritional information using the same reference amount.

  • Checking only the type of bread when someone has an allergy

    Rye and wheat are both gluten-containing cereals. Other declared ingredients and possible traces vary between products.

    Check the current ingredients list and the allergen and trace information on the pack for every loaf.

  • Planning to use slices from a loaf for burgers

    A slice of rye and wheat bread isn’t the same shape as a burger bun. A pack of buns may also contain too many portions for a small gathering.

    Before you shop, decide whether you’re serving burgers or open sandwiches, then check the pack size against the number of guests.

  • Assuming all rye and wheat bread is low in seeds

    REWE describes its Balancebrot as containing sunflower seeds and linseeds, among other ingredients. So the name rye and wheat bread alone doesn’t tell you whether guests will find seeds in the loaf.

    If you’re catering for picky eaters, compare the ingredients in each variety before choosing a loaf.

Brands and product ranges to consider

GUT&GÜNSTIG

EDEKA describes its rye and wheat bread, sold in a 500-g pack, as containing wheat flour, natural rye sourdough and rye flour.

  • The cereal ingredients listed make it easier to compare with seeded varieties.
  • The bread contains wheat and rye; EDEKA also notes that it may contain traces of soya, mustard, sesame and lupin. Availability may vary by store.

REWE Beste Wahl

REWE stocks rye and wheat breads with different ingredient profiles, including Balancebrot and Urväter Schnitten.

  • According to REWE, Balancebrot contains sunflower seeds and linseeds. If you’re looking for seeds, that’s a useful detail to help you choose.
  • If you avoid seeds, compare the varieties individually. Urväter Schnitten contains wheat and rye, and may contain traces of sesame, soya and lupin.

REWE Bio

REWE labels its organic rye and wheat bread as an organic product and lists the organic inspection body DE-ÖKO-006.

  • The product information lists wheat flour, wholemeal rye flour and rye flour.
  • If you have relevant dietary restrictions, check the listed potential traces of soya, milk, nuts and sesame.

EDEKA Foodservice Premium

According to EDEKA, the rye burger buns are made for burgers, pre-sliced and sold in a pack of 24 at 105 g each.

  • The bun shape is a good fit for a planned burger night.
  • The pack may be too large for a small group. EDEKA lists rye, wheat and barley, and notes that the product may contain traces of milk and sesame.

NUR NUR NATUR

ALDI SÜD describes the product as organic rye wholemeal bread in a 375-g pack.

  • The product name makes it clear that this is a wholemeal bread option.
  • Rye wholemeal bread is a different type of product from rye and wheat bread, so you should consider whether the texture suits your preferences.

Rye wholemeal bread at Joybuy

These pumpernickel breads are worth considering for sandwiches if you’re looking for a rye wholemeal option. They’re not a stand-in for burger buns or rye and wheat bread with a milder texture.

Mestemacher Traditional Westphalian Pumpernickel, 500 g

Mestemacher Traditional Westphalian Pumpernickel, 500 g

A sandwich option if your guests would prefer pumpernickel to rye and wheat bread. Consider whether its dense texture will suit any picky eaters.

Pack size: 500 g. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the current pack.

View at Joybuy
Mestemacher Westphalian Pumpernickel, 500 g

Mestemacher Westphalian Pumpernickel, 500 g

Another pumpernickel option for sandwiches, if its dense, moist texture suits your group. This product isn’t described as rye and wheat bread or as a burger bun.

Pack size: 500 g. In particular, check the information about milk and sesame on the current pack before choosing this bread for guests with relevant allergies.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is rye and wheat bread gluten-free?

No. Rye is a gluten-containing cereal, and the rye and wheat breads described here contain rye and, in some cases, wheat too. If you need to shop gluten-free, check the ingredients and labelling of the specific product.

Is rye and wheat bread automatically wholemeal?

No. The name rye and wheat bread alone doesn’t confirm that it contains wholegrain. Check the specific product name and ingredients list rather than relying on the dark colour.

Why should I check the pack as well as the online product page?

The information on the current pack is what matters when choosing the bread you’re actually buying. EDEKA notes that product information on its website may differ from the packaging. If you have allergies, pay particular attention to the ingredients and trace information.

Which type of rye bread is best for burgers?

If you’re planning to serve burgers with rye bread, burger buns specifically made for the purpose are a better fit than slices from a loaf. Check the quantity too: the pre-sliced rye burger buns described by EDEKA Foodservice come in a pack of 24 at 105 g each.