Australia’s best sliced white breads revealed
White bread is a staple on Aussies’ dining table – whether you’re having a snag, an avo toast or a simple Vegemite sandwich, you can’t go without a slice or two.
To find out the best brand on the market, consumer group CHOICE tested 30 supermarket breads from various brands to see which loaf rises above the rest in terms of taste and nutrition.
A team of expert taste testers conducted a blind test on 24 regular breads and six gluten-free breads sold at major supermarket chains.
Wonder came out on top of the regular white bread list with its Wholegrain White Smooth Wholegrain variant, which received a rating of 78 per cent. The experts praised the presentation, flavour and “sweet ferment aroma”.
CHOICE spokesperson Jonathan Brown said, “This bread has a good overall appearance, with a soft, springy crumb. It also has a nice flavour, although it does taste more like wholemeal bread.”
Following on the second and third spots are Wonder Active Low GI + Protein and Tip Top The One White Sandwich, which scored 77 per cent and 75 per cent respectively. Both loaves were noted for their texture and even crumb.
Meanwhile, Coles and ALDI tied for the first place in the gluten-free category with their home brand loaves.
Coles Gluten Free White Bread scored 77 per cent in the test. “This bread is the closest to regular white bread,” Brown said. “It’s springy and has a sweet, floury aftertaste.”
ALDI Has No Gluten Free Sliced White Bread, which earned the same score, is the most affordable bread in the category at $0.80 per 100g. Experts described the bread as “very visually appealing”, with “a nutty flavour and aroma” and “a slight sweetness”.
When it comes to the least healthy options, CHOICE identified the breads with the highest amount of salt. The group found that Bakers Delight White Block Loaf, Buttercup Country Split White, Country Life Gluten Free & Dairy Free White and Tip Top Sunblest Soft White Sandwich are the variants that fail to keep their sodium content under 400mg per 100g.
According to the National Health and Medical Research Council, adults should limit their daily salt intake at 2,300mg to reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure.
“It’s disappointing to see big bread brands persist with high levels of sodium in their product, especially after the industry committed to doing better,” Brown said.