MyLondon's Ellen Jenne has been busy putting the leading brands of bread to the test against own-branded supermarket loaves.
The reporter blindly tasted several slices to see which would be crowned the champion of breads, and which she found to taste "as dry as the Sahara".
Each bread was given a score out of five.
"The greatest invention since sliced bread is the champion of sayings when you want to prove just how revolutionary something is," said Ellen.
"But when it comes down to actual white, sliced bread, which carby delight takes the crown?
"Some may say there’s no discernible difference between your average supermarket and branded loaf.
"These people would be wrong.
"I tested out baking giants Hovis, Warburtons and Kingsmill, as well as your classic supermarket staples of Sainsbury's and Aldi."
Read on for Ellen's findings.
Sainsbury's Soft Medium Sliced White Bread
I started off with Sainsbury's, a typically reliable contender when it comes to their baked goods - and I’m talking all of them.
Shopping in the bakery section at the supermarket is an indulgently pleasurable experience, just by the sheer aroma that whacks you in the face.
I’d happily stand in the aisle all day.
The loaf was light and spongy - quite simply a nice piece of bread.
I don't think there's much more I can say. It did the job politely, correctly and without any fuss.
If you’re a purveyor of supermarket own products, Sainsbury's could definitely give the big name brands a run for their money.
Total - 3.5/5
Aldi's Village Bakery Soft Medium White Bread
I’ve never tried bread from Aldi, but it doesn’t mean I would completely discount them.
I was going in completely blind and without any prejudice.
The supermarket often surprises me with how good and varied their products are.
Who really needs a mini trampoline set, but if it’s the Special Buys aisle at Aldi I bet good money at least one person will succumb to their urge to splurge.
But I was here for bread.
At first glance the loaf looked as white and springy as the rest, but it was when I took my first bite my opinion changed.
Regretfully I have to say, Aldi, your bread was dry!
Now I’m not talking Sahara Desert thirst level, but it was crying out for some moisture.
Each chew made the bread coarser in my mouth and it became incredibly disappointing to munch on.
It wasn’t totally unpleasant and, of course, it was still edible, but if I was given a sandwich using Aldi’s loaf, I would’ve thought it had been left out to “air” for around two hours before consumption.
Sorry, but today Aldi didn’t take the cake.
Total - 2/5
Hovis Soft White Medium
Glancing my mind back to my childhood, I only ever recall Hovis being in our bread bin and most recently our freezer.
But I don’t believe my mum was prejudiced toward other brands, because Kingsmill definitely floated around our kitchen at some point.
Having eaten Hovis relatively regularly over my 25 years on this planet, I can confidently say it definitely sets the benchmark for this taste test.
The loaf gave off a warm, toasty aroma and the crust was crisper than the others.
Always eat your crusts, kids.
Taking one bite out of the top corner, memories of eating bacon sarnies with lashings of ketchup on the sidelines of a football pitch on an awfully grey day came flooding back.
Hovis’ loaf proves you don’t have to have fancy breads to construct your sandwiches.
It can be as simple as a white slice.
Overall, it was a wholly decent carb - not too chewy, not too soft, just a humble yet reliable choice of loaf.
Hovis is the bread and butter of baker brands.
Total - 4/5
Warburtons Toastie White
Warburtons have a reputation for being good, hearty bakers from up north, and from what I can remember they’ve never been the victim of bad bread.
It’s also been the UK’s best selling brand for over a decade, so they have quite the reputation to live up to.
I picked up the smallest packet because I had loaves quite literally overflowing in my bag.
How much dough can a girl get?
As the bread was slightly smaller than your average loaf, I felt as though I had become Gulliver (of Guillver’s Travel fame), without the angry citizens of Liliput, as my giant hands clutched my bread.
The slice was almost cute. Can bread be cute?
I was excited to take a bite, but once I did I knew I had messed up.
What I was eating wasn’t bread, no, this was a sponge.
Any bread-y goodness was masked by the awful texture which made me feel like I had just taken a chunk out of my washing up sponge.
Warburtons’ was beyond soft and doughy, it was springy - and not in a good way.
Were all of their loaves like this? What was this baking monstrosity?
If this loaf had been served to Paul and Prue in the Bake Off they would’ve ripped the baker a new one.
I was bewildered by the bread, questioning whether I had mistakenly picked up some sponges instead of a white loaf!
To confuse me even more, when I tore off a smaller piece from the slice, it sounded exactly like the noise a sponge makes when ripped.
I couldn’t make it up even if I tried.
Total - 1/5
Kingsmill Soft White Medium Bread
Another reliable contender for those people out there who prefer a branded bread.
Throughout this test I’ve learned there’s not a lot of difference between the most popular brands and supermarket own products.
So Kingsmill should be no different.
Grabbing the first slice I could instantly feel this bread was significantly softer than the others.
I wasn’t too sure if or how this would impact the overall taste test experience.
Unlike Warburtons, Kingsmill wasn’t reminiscent of a cleaning instrument, it was a perfectly white pillow.
Slightly anxious from my previous experience, I tentatively took a bite from the slice.
Kingsmill put Warburtons to shame.
It was light, it was airy, and it was as soft as a pillow. Seriously, I could’ve taken a nap on a Kingsmill cushion.
While the flavour wasn’t outstanding, merely the same as the rest, the texture knocked it out of the park.
Sorry Warburtons, I know you’re the best selling brand, but your quality is no match for your biggest rivals.
Total - 5/5
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