What’s the difference between wholemeal and white bread? And is it really much better for me than white (which I love)?
The difference lies in the kind of flour we use. White flour is refined, which means that the bran and wheatgerm (the really good stuff) are removed. Wholemeal flour doesn’t have anything taken out, which means it’s packed with things like fibre, vitamins, minerals and protein which are essential for a healthy diet. They can help against heart disease and colon cancer. You don’t have to avoid white bread altogether, but try to eat wholemeal bread as well, and look out for other sources of wholegrain like cereals.
I’d like to try baking my own bread. How easy is it?
There’s something highly satisfying about baking your own bread every now and again. It’s got a lot easier with the invention of the home bread-maker. We now offer a range of ready-made bread mixes to help you get started, as well as all the ingredients you need to start experimenting with your own bread recipes. Ask at the counter if you need more advice.
I love smoked salmon but I’d like to eat it on something other than brown bread. Any suggestions?
Smoked salmon has got a wonderful taste and it’s so versatile. For a tasty change that’s ever so sophisticated, try popping small cuts of salmon on squares of buttered Irish brown soda bread. It makes for a great combination of tastes and textures. Or try melba toast. Using a thickish slice of, say, a sour dough loaf, toast a slice on both sides under the grill. Then carefully cut the slice in two, length-ways, making two slices half the original thickness. Then you toast the insides under the grill. Crunchy and delicious. Be careful, though, you only need to toast them for a few seconds.
What’s the best way to make a loaf last longer?
If you don’t eat bread quickly in your house, put half the loaf in the freezer. It’s an easy way to make the loaf last longer. Regularly washing your bread bin and wiping it with vinegar is a good way of keeping mould at bay, and it’s a good idea to keep un-sliced loaves in their wrapping as well.
Are croissants less healthy than ordinary bread rolls?
Nothing is unhealthy if you eat it in moderation. Croissants do have a higher fat content because they’re made with butter. So you do have to consider how often you eat them as a luxurious alternative to the noble cob.
I’ve recently found that I’ve got a gluten intolerance – is there such a thing as gluten-free bread?
We do have gluten-free bread in store, and we also have gluten-free flour that you can use in exactly the same way as regular flour if you want to try your hand at baking your own. You can also find a whole range of tempting gluten-free treats in our Free From range, too, so there’s no need to give up the things you love!
I’d like to try flat bread for a change, but I’m not sure how to eat it or what to eat it with. Is it as healthy as everyone says?
Flat breads are a delicious alternative to normal breads – but there’s no real health advantages to eating them compared to our range of lovingly baked, tasty loaves. Many flat breads are of Mediterranean origins – pitta bread is from Greece, of course, and focaccia is from Italy – so they go well with Med flavours such as hummus, olives, tomatoes and the like. Mexican flour tortillas are great for wraps too, making a deliciously light change to doorstep sarnies.