Hosts catering for different tastes
If some guests prefer soft, plain slices while others want wholemeal toast, you can serve both types separately on the buffet. A mixed loaf on its own doesn’t give guests that choice.
Which option suits which host
Hosts prioritising wholemeal
If you want to offer a clearly identifiable wholemeal option, check the product name rather than relying on its colour or visible grains. The German Nutrition Society recommends this too.
Hosts who need gluten-free bread
If a guest needs gluten-free bread, check the label, ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack. At the buffet, serve it in a separate place with its own utensils.
What to look for when shopping
First, decide whether a mixed loaf will suit your guests or whether you want to serve a clearly labelled wholemeal option as well. Then you can plan for any specific ingredient requirements and work out how many packs you’ll need.
| What you need | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Plain slices | Pack format for the planned filled portions and the ingredients list | If many guests prefer mild-tasting, soft bread, choose a base that works well for their snacks. Around 33% of consumers put this first. |
| A clearly labelled wholemeal option | The word “wholemeal”, ingredients and fibre per 100 g in the nutritional information | If you want to offer a wholemeal option, guests shouldn’t have to identify it by its dark colour alone. This is the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| A gluten-free option | “Gluten-free” labelling, ingredients, allergens and separate utensils | If a guest needs gluten-free bread, your choice must meet their ingredient requirements and be suitable for serving at the buffet. This is the top priority for around 13% of consumers. |
| Quantity and sourcing | Pack weight, number of slices, best-before date and where to buy it | For a buffet with several types of bread, I want to make sure I can get enough suitable slices in good time. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this kind of shopping plan. |
Common buying mistakes
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Assuming dark or seeded bread is wholemeal toast
Colour and visible grains aren’t a reliable way to tell whether guests are getting an option explicitly labelled as wholemeal.
Look for “wholemeal” in the product name and compare the ingredients list and fibre per 100 g.
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Treating gluten-free as a general mark of quality
A gluten-free label doesn’t tell you about other ingredients or allergens. The German consumer advice centre notes that gluten-free specialist products are generally unnecessary for people without a relevant dietary restriction.
Check with the guest who needs this option, read the pack and use separate utensils at the buffet.
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Assuming an online listing guarantees what you’ll find on the day
For your buffet, what matters is the pack size and ingredients available when you actually shop.
Check the number of slices you need, the best-before date and the labelling on the packs you choose well in advance.
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Confusing a product range with the current pack brand
“Meisterbäckers Mehrkorn” is a Schär product. Lieken names Wendeln in its company history as a former distributor of Golden Toast.
If you’re planning to serve a particular type of bread at the christening, look for its full, current product name.
Brands to consider
Schär
The Meisterbäckers range includes a multigrain option worth checking separately if you need gluten-free bread.
- Schär describes Meisterbäckers Mehrkorn as gluten- and lactose-free.
- According to Schär, it contains soya and may contain lupin, mustard and sesame. Check the specific pack and serve it separately at the buffet.
Harry
Harry Vollkorn-Toast is an option to serve alongside plain toast as a separately labelled type of bread.
- REWE states that the 500 g pack contains 90% wholemeal in its grain content and 6 g of fibre per 100 g.
- The product contains wheat and may contain traces of sesame. Check the information against the pack you buy before serving.
Mestemacher
The Organic Wholemeal Wheat Toast described by EDEKA24 is another option to compare if this product description matters to you.
- EDEKA24 describes a 400 g pack with wholemeal wheat flour as its first ingredient.
- Wheat and wheat gluten are ingredients to be aware of in this variety; always check the labelling on the pack you buy.
Grafschafter (Lidl-Eigenmarke)
Grafschafter Vollkorn Toast is another labelled wholemeal option. Its suitability depends on the specific product and where you shop.
- Lidl lists Grafschafter Vollkorn Toast in its range.
- Check local availability and the ingredients labelling before the celebration.
Golden Toast / Lieken
According to REWE, Golden Toast offers a range of differently labelled toast and sandwich breads to compare for your buffet.
- REWE stocks Vollkorn Toast, Buttertoast and Dinkel-Harmonie-Sandwich, among other varieties.
- These varieties aren’t interchangeable. Check the exact name and ingredients of the pack you choose; Lieken’s company history names Wendeln as a former distributor of Golden Toast.
Toast for a plain buffet selection
These two Thinmax toasts are options for a plain bread selection at a christening. If you need a clearly labelled wholemeal option or gluten-free bread, plan for these separately.
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Thinmax Golden Danish Toast 85 g x 2
You can include this product in your plain toast selection for the buffet, alongside a separate wholemeal option.
Pack size: 85 g x 2. To work out how much you need, check the number of slices and read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack before serving.
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Thinmax Hokkaido Toast Bread 85 g
This toast is a plain option for guests who aren’t looking for bread specifically labelled as wholemeal.
Pack size: 85 g. Check the number of slices against your buffet plans, and read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.
Frequently asked questions
Is dark toast automatically wholemeal?
No, you can’t tell from the colour alone. The German Nutrition Society recommends looking for the word “wholemeal”; you should also check the ingredients list on the pack.
Is a mixed white and wholemeal flour loaf enough for a christening?
A mixed loaf may be enough if all your guests are happy with the same type and nobody wants a clearly labelled wholemeal option. If you want guests to choose between plain toast and wholemeal toast, offering two separate types makes the choice clearer.
When should you add gluten-free bread to the buffet?
If a guest needs gluten-free bread, the extra option should meet their specific ingredient requirements. Check the pack’s labelling and allergen information, and use separate utensils to prevent contact with other bread at the buffet.
What should I check on packaged toast before the celebration?
Above all, check the ingredients, highlighted allergens, best-before date and storage instructions on the pack you actually buy. Pack size and the number of slices are also useful when planning your buffet.
How should I store toast until the christening?
Follow the storage instructions on the relevant pack. Check the best-before date too, and follow the guidance for once the pack has been opened.