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I ’ve broken my strict, like-for-like approach this week in the interests of just finding a really good sliced wholemeal sandwich loaf. Alas, most of these are made to the standard Chorleywood process, with each one a cardboard replica of the other and with only nuanced differences. However, I did find two with exceptional flavour and one with a notably good, firm texture that’s ideal for spreading stuff on; to my surprise, several have an impressive lack of additives, too, and they all score well on value.
The Chorleywood process is an industrial method for making bread in just three and a half hours using high-speed mechanical processes and chemical additives. It was developed in the 1960s, and now accounts for about 80% of the bread made in the UK. If you’re looking for palm oil-free loaves with zero additives, emulsifiers or preservatives, sandwich loaves are hard to navigate, but there are some that fit the bill – just check the label.
The best supermarket sliced wholemeal bread Best overall : Jason’s sourdough wholemeal ciabattin £2.20 for 580g at Morrisons (38p/100g) £2.35 for 580g at Waitrose (41p/100g) ★★★★☆ A small, round-topped tin loaf with a closed crumb, a dense texture (perfect for spreading) and an evenly glazed crust. A sweet, wheatgrass aroma, medium-firm bite and simple flavour profile. A sweet, nutty taste without any bitterness.
A simple ingredients list (wholemeal wheat flour, water, wheat gluten, fermented wheat flour, salt), zero additives and palm oil-free. Best bargain : Aldi Specially Selected wholemeal seeded loaf 99p for 800g at Aldi (13p/100g), in store only ★★★☆☆ A soft loaf speckled with millet, sunflower and other seeds and with a fresh and wholesome malty aroma. Yielding to the bite, with good texture from the seeds and the chewy crust.
Three additives (two emulsifiers, one preservative), but palm oil-free. And the rest ... Wildfarmed regenerative sliced seeded £2.25 for 550g at Ocado (41p/100g) £2.25 for 550g at Tesco (41p/100g) ★★★★☆ A soft and seedy loaf (loads of millet, sunflower seeds, linseeds and others) with a roasted barley and fermented yeast aroma.
A sweet flavour with a complex nuttiness and toasted bran finish, and extra texture from the sheer quantity of seeds. Made with flour from cereals grown by Wildfarmed’s regenerative farming project. B Corp-certified, zero additives, and palm oil-free.
Exceptional by Asda wholemeal superseeded sliced loaf £1.60 for 800g at Asda (20p/100g) ★★★☆☆ A thick slice with a medium closed crumb and an appetising, sweet, nutty aroma. A bit gummy, but with substance and a good and textural bite from all the seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, linseed). A well-balanced flavour profile, too, with zero additives.
Contains palm oil and palm fat, though. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference multiseed wholemeal farmhouse loaf £1.60 for 800g at Sainsbury’s (20p/100g) ★★★☆☆ A proud loaf with a deep, caramel-glazed crust. A sweet, malty but sour aroma, and a dense, firm crumb with mixed seeds throughout (mainly millet and sunflower).
Firm and crunchy with a sweet, nutty flavour and no bitterness. Zero additives, but contains palm oil. skip past newsletter promotion after newsletter promotion Tesco Finest wholemeal seeds and grains £1.75 for 800g at Tesco (22p/100g) ★★★☆☆ A soft, seedy loaf topped with wheat flakes. A rich, bran-forward aroma, and a simple flavour, with a savoury, nutty finish and a decent bite.
Zero additives, and palm oil-free. M&S medium wholemeal super soft loaf 75p for 800g at Ocado (10p/100g) ★★☆☆☆ A soft loaf with a closed crumb and gummy texture. A sweet, nutty aroma with a bitter, burnt finish.
Sweet at first, with a nice, nutty middle. A good everyday loaf with zero additives, but does contain palm oil. Exceptional value, too.
Allinson’s The Champion wholemeal £1.50 for 650g at Asda (24p/100g) £1.80 for 650g at Ocado (28p/100g) ★★☆☆☆ A dark, round-topped sandwich loaf with a closed crumb and soft, gluey texture. An acrid, over-toasted bran aroma and distinctive malty but bitter bran flavour. Zero additives or labelled artificial preservatives, and emulsifier-free.
Contains certified “sustainable” palm oil. Hovis granary wholemeal £1.95 for 800g at Tesco (25p/100g) £2 for 800g at Waitrose (25p/100g) ★★☆☆☆ A rich, tanned loaf topped with wheat flakes. A sweet, nutty aroma and a soft texture.
Simple, bran-forward flavour with a bitter aftertaste. Three additives (one preservative, two emulsifiers), but palm oil-free. Co-op Bakery farmhouse wholemeal £1.30 for 800g at Co-op (17p/100g) ★☆☆☆☆ A standard soft wholemeal loaf with a closed crumb, a sweet but mildly synthetic aroma and a gummy texture.
A sweet-forward flavour with subtle, nutty notes and a pleasant aftertaste. Three additives (two emulsifiers, one preservative), plus palm oil and palm fat. For more, read our roundup of the best sourdough and the best brioche buns
Source: The Guardian
