Which type of bread suits you?

Small holiday homes with limited storage space

If you need bread to last for several breakfasts, pack size and ease of portioning matter. Sliced bread can be taken out one slice at a time or frozen in advance, if there’s a freezer compartment.

Breakfast guests with an oven

If you’d like warm rolls in the morning, check before you shop that your holiday let has a suitable oven, and that the baking time and pack size work for your stay.

Travellers with specific dietary requirements

If you need to avoid particular grains, seeds or other ingredients, check the labelling on the bread you’re considering. The terms ‘rye’ and ‘sourdough’ don’t tell you everything about the ingredients.

What to look for when buying

First decide whether you’ll eat the bread straight away, portion it out over several days or bake it in the morning. Then you can check the pack details against the facilities available in your holiday let.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Portions and storage Pack size and whether it’s sliced; if you’ll be keeping it for longer, check the storage instructions and whether there’s a freezer compartment. In a small holiday home, I only want to open as much bread as we’ll actually eat. Around 31% of consumers prioritise suitable portion sizes and avoiding leftovers.
Ingredients and allergens The order of the grains in the ingredients list, plus allergen and may-contain information. If I’m looking for bread with a high rye content or need to avoid certain ingredients, the word ‘sourdough’ isn’t enough. Around 25% of consumers prioritise the specific ingredients.
Baking The oven and its settings at your accommodation, plus the baking instructions and number of pieces in the pack. If I’m planning a warm breakfast, I’ll only choose ready-to-bake rolls if I can prepare them where I’m staying. Around 25% of consumers put this breakfast preference first.
Shopping locally The pack actually available in store, its ingredients and its size. If I’m shopping once I reach my destination, the right type of bread needs to be available there. Around 19% of consumers base their choice primarily on what’s available locally.

Avoid common buying mistakes

  • Assuming sourdough means pure rye bread

    Rye sourdough bread can also contain other grains or seeds. The farmhouse rolls described by EDEKA contain wheat flour and 7% rye flour.

    If you’re looking for bread with a high rye content, read the ingredients list and check the allergen information too, if needed.

  • Buying a loaf that’s too large for a short stay

    Fresh bread left uneaten can dry out or go mouldy. Verbraucherzentrale NRW recommends storing bread somewhere dry, cool and well ventilated.

    Choose an amount that suits the number of people and the length of your stay. If there’s a freezer compartment, you can freeze slices in advance.

  • Choosing ready-to-bake bread without checking the kitchen facilities

    Ready-to-bake rolls need a suitable oven and time to prepare. The farmhouse rolls described by EDEKA have a stated baking time of eight to ten minutes.

    Check the oven and its settings before you shop. If the facilities aren’t suitable, ready-to-eat bread is the simpler choice.

  • Assuming the online pack image matches the product in store

    Availability of some EDEKA products can vary from store to store. ALDI SÜD notes that its rye farmhouse slices may differ because they can come from different suppliers.

    Check the actual pack in store, especially the ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and best-before date.

Brands and ranges to consider

Pema

REWE stocks packaged Pema rye sourdough bread in a 500-g pack; the product details state that it contains 25% natural sourdough starter.

  • The pack details make it easier to check the ingredients and plan how to store the bread after opening.
  • As well as rye, the bread described contains other ingredients, including sweet lupin flour; it should not be considered pure rye bread or gluten-free.

REWE Bio

REWE’s organic wholemeal rye bread comes in a 500-g pack and is worth considering if you’re looking for natural sourdough starter and a short ingredients list.

  • REWE lists natural sourdough starter, wholegrain rye meal, water, rock salt and yeast as ingredients.
  • The bread contains rye; according to the product details, it may contain traces of soya, sesame and nuts.

EDEKA Bio

EDEKA describes a packaged organic wholemeal rye bread made with natural sourdough starter.

  • The ingredients details let you check whether the wholegrain rye recipe meets your preferences.
  • According to EDEKA, it may contain traces of nuts, sesame and soya; availability can vary from store to store.

GUT&GÜNSTIG

EDEKA describes a 500-g wholemeal rye bread with natural sourdough starter under this own-label brand.

  • Wholegrain rye meal is listed as the first ingredient in the product details.
  • The recipe also includes oat flakes; according to EDEKA, it may contain traces of nuts, sesame and soya.

LIDL – Unser Brot

Lidl’s in-store bakery is an option if you’re looking for bread to eat soon after buying.

  • Lidl describes some products in its bread range as being made with natural rye sourdough.
  • Ingredients and allergens depend on the product you choose. Check the details for the specific item in store.

Joybuy products on this topic

Matching products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a sourdough bread has a high rye content?

The ingredients list shows which grains are actually used and the order in which they appear. REWE and EDEKA describe wholemeal rye breads made with wholegrain rye meal and natural sourdough starter; by contrast, the farmhouse rolls sold by EDEKA contain wheat flour and 7% rye flour.

How should I store fresh rye sourdough bread in a holiday let?

Store fresh bread somewhere dry, cool and well ventilated, as recommended by Verbraucherzentrale NRW. Check it during your stay; if you can see mould, throw the whole loaf away. For packaged bread, follow the storage instructions on the pack once it’s opened.

Is packaged bread a good choice for a longer stay?

Sliced packaged bread can make shopping for several days easier, as long as the pack size and storage instructions suit your holiday let. If there’s a freezer compartment, you can freeze individual portions; follow the product-specific instructions after opening.

How can I find out which allergens are in unwrapped bread?

Ask at the bakery counter or in-store bakery for allergen information about the specific bread. If you need to avoid certain ingredients, don’t rely on the product name alone when buying unwrapped bread.