Artisan breads, whole grain breads, no grain breads -- in short, anything but sliced white bread seems to be in demand these days. But what if you actually like white bread for a lunchtime sandwich or toast in the morning? Wonder Bread is not your only option. Cook's Country held their own taste test to pick out the top white sandwich bread, just in case you want a change from multi-grain.
Their top picks were Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White and Arnold Country Classics White. Each had fewer additives than other brands tasted and both had a sweeter flavor and heartier texture than the competition. The other breads -- including Wonder Country White, Sunbeam Giant White, Freihofer's Country White, J. J. Nissen ButterTop White, Home Pride Butter Top White and Country Kitchen Giant White - were judged to have sour notes and alternately dry or squishy textures. The sour notes were often accompanied by a faint aftertaste, both of which were signs of a preservative-laden loaf.
It should be noted that when the breads were tested as part of grilled cheese sandwiches, any taste differences were overshadowed by cheese and butter, but pretending it isn't there doesn't make it go away. Whenever possible, with white bread or otherwise, choose a brand that has a short, clear list of ingredients and you won't go too far wrong.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
9-20-2006 @ 3:44PM
Laura said...
I love America's Test Kitchen taste tests.
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9-20-2006 @ 6:41PM
Juned said...
Best supermarket / club store available bread in the country: Oroweat Buttermilk
(Safeway/Costco)
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9-20-2006 @ 6:44PM
Juned said...
Oroweat Country Buttermilk
www.oroweat.com
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9-20-2006 @ 8:29PM
kaitlin Hess said...
Long live white bread!
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9-25-2006 @ 6:11AM
Scott Guiher said...
Wonder bread used to be my favorite but now it is very rare that I find a loaf of white wonder bread that doesn't feel stale and hard. Their "new" Classic style bread is horrible. I have tried several other brands looking for a decent loaf of white bread. Down here in South Florida the options are few. Wonder is no longer in the running.
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9-25-2006 @ 7:43AM
jim hawkins said...
Save Rainbo Old Fashion white bread.
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9-25-2006 @ 7:49AM
Linda said...
Ah but they did not test which white bread makes the best rolled up bread balls. In the case of bread balls, I bet Wonder White is the winner! Love those little hard balls!!
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9-25-2006 @ 7:50AM
genola harris said...
talking about white bread, the best white bread ever, was silver cup bread. I don't know what happened to that delicious bread, but I don't see it any more. If you know where to find it please send me an email. The last time I saw it was at dominicks I believe.
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9-25-2006 @ 7:55AM
Barbara said...
A die hard white bread lover, thank you for your research.
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9-25-2006 @ 8:09AM
S. L. Ransom said...
My family is quite spoiled by home-made bread. Haven't bought a loaf in years. No preservatives and I know what goes into it. I am far more comfortable with serving my family a loaf of bread that has taste and no preservatives or additives. With a breadmaker it is simple, quick and delicious.
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9-25-2006 @ 8:25AM
Marilyn Downing said...
The best tasting bread is OAT NUT! There are at least 2 brands of it.
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9-25-2006 @ 8:41AM
Barbara Rodriguez said...
Test whole grain white bread. We are recent converts from regular white enriched bread. Whole grain tastes good and supposedly better for you. Give us a comparison between the two - OK? Surprisingly, a lot of people are still unaware they make whole grain white.
Please don't publish my last name nor give my email address to anyone else.
Thank you.
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9-25-2006 @ 8:41AM
r cabano said...
the silvercup bread factory is now a movie making studio in nyc---silvercup studios------it was great bread and was popular in ny in the 1950,s and 60,s
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9-25-2006 @ 8:42AM
Cindy said...
The best white bread that I like is Schmidts.
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9-25-2006 @ 8:58AM
JOSIE BARBUTO said...
THE BEST BREAD I EVER TASTED WAS IN MYRTLE BEACH S.CTHE NAME OF THE WHITE BREAD WAS SUNBEAM WITH A PICTURE OF A GIRL WE DON'T HAVE IT HERE IN PGH.PA.WHEN I CAME BACK HOME I BOUGHT 10 BREADS TO FREEZE. THEY WERE GREAT.
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9-25-2006 @ 9:00AM
Shelley said...
Maybe it's a Southern thang, but Bunny Bread stays freshest the longest!
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9-25-2006 @ 9:13AM
Rachael Hansen said...
The best white bread is Rotella's Twist.
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9-25-2006 @ 9:18AM
Glynnis said...
We love the Bunny Bread (Giant variety) & Sara Lee Classic White. I agree, Bunny bread has to be a Southern thang.
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9-25-2006 @ 9:30AM
Beth said...
For store brand white bread - nothing beats Wegman's Country White. It's a soft, hearty white bread that doesn't get soggy in your lunch box (even at the slice mark when you cut it in half).
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9-25-2006 @ 9:41AM
Angela Browning said...
My family enjoyed either Wonder 'Kids' bread or Iron Kids whole grain bread. Both have the taste of white bread and the fiber/nutrients of whole wheat.
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