For afternoon tea, choose sourdough toast or sliced sourdough bread based on the shape of the slices, the ingredients and the toppings you have in mind – not simply because it says ‘sourdough’. If a gluten-free diet is required, look for an explicit gluten-free label. To compare fibre content, the nutrition information per 100 g and the portion size are more useful than the bread’s name.
Sliced bread is handy for small portions with sweet or savoury toppings. Schär describes Meisterbäckers Classic as suitable for both, but that alone doesn’t tell you whether the texture will be comfortable for individual guests.
For them, an explicit gluten-free label is essential – not the word ‘sourdough’. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the specific product.
If you want to compare breads by their nutritional values, check the fibre per 100 g and the portion actually eaten. The word ‘sourdough’ doesn’t tell you how much fibre the bread contains.
Different needs may take priority when choosing bread for afternoon tea: slices that are easy to top, a required gluten-free label, fibre information or the sourdough recipe.
| Criteria | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Slices and toppings | Is the bread already sliced? Are the slices the right shape for your chosen toppings? | When I’m preparing small topped portions for afternoon tea, I want even slices that are easy to handle. This is the main priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Gluten and allergens | If a gluten-free diet is required, check for an explicit label as well as the ingredients and allergen information. | If I need to avoid gluten, a sourdough claim isn’t enough; I need a clear label on the specific bread. This is the top buying criterion for around 20% of consumers. |
| Fibre | Compare the fibre per 100 g with the intended portion size. | I want to know how much fibre the bread on my afternoon tea table contains, rather than assume its nutritional value from its name. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this comparison. |
| Sourdough and ingredients | Read the product name and ingredients list: is sourdough listed, and which types of grain are mentioned? | If the sourdough recipe is particularly important to me, I want to see it in the ingredients list and identify the grains used. This is a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Sourdough can contain gluten-containing grains. If a gluten-free diet is required, the type of dough is no substitute for a clear product label.
Check the gluten-free label, ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack.
The term doesn’t tell you how much fibre the bread contains. Sourdough breads can also vary in their recipes and nutritional values.
Compare fibre per 100 g and take into account how much bread will actually be served.
A crusty loaf made with natural sourdough isn’t necessarily sliced toast bread. A crisp crust and differently sized slices can make a difference to your afternoon tea spread.
If evenly cut, softer slices are important, check the specific shape and texture of the bread before buying. If someone has difficulty chewing or swallowing, seek individual professional advice on choosing bread.
Schär offers sliced sourdough breads, including Meisterbäckers Classic and Sourdough Bread.
Mestemacher Organic Spelt Toast Bread is an example of toast bread to compare with sliced sourdough bread.
Lidl lists crusty bread made with natural sourdough among the products from its bakery.
No. Sourdough refers to an ingredient in a recipe or a method of making dough; it doesn’t mean the bread is gluten-free. If a gluten-free diet is required, check for an explicit gluten-free label on the specific product.
Read the product name and ingredients list on the toast bread. According to the German Food Federation, ingredients are listed in descending order by weight; check whether sourdough is included.
No. Age alone isn’t a reason to eat gluten-free bread. What matters is whether the person needs to follow a gluten-free diet; other factors to consider include the shape of the slices, ingredients and nutritional information.
Follow the storage and use-by instructions on the specific pack. Check them especially if you won’t finish the bread at one sitting.