AVOCA MULTIGRAIN
€2.85 for 600g
Miles ahead of the rest when it comes to taste, texture, freshness and goodness. Ours was still warm from the oven, which increased the feel-good factor, as did the four varieties of seeds placed liberally on top and throughout the loaf. It has an appealingly rough and moist texture and a pleasing sweetness. It costs more than its rivals – but not that much more – and will be harder to source as well, but it is worth going out of your way to buy this.
Verdict: Impossible to beat.
Star rating: *****
MCCAMBRIDGE
€1.79 for 500g
We are very fond of this bread and while it costs a bit more than the cheapest of the products we tried, it is worth it. It is fresher than other similar brands and has a moist and homely texture. It is liberally flecked with wheatgerm, which doesn't take over entirely and you could almost forget you were eating it. It has a pleasingly pure ingredient list and is readily available in shops big and small across the country. The re-sealable bag is good too.
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Verdict: A very good bread.
Star rating: ****
DUNNES STORES WHOLEWHEAT
€1.39 for 500g
While the packaging might look similar to McCambridge’s, this is worlds apart when it comes to taste. It is dry, bland and forgettable – although, to be fair, when it is slathered in butter and jam, it goes down pretty well. We weren’t mad about the oatflakes on top. The packaging is flimsy, which can lead to it going stale before other supermarket-sourced loaves. It is the cheapest, however.
Verdict: On the dry side.
Star rating: **
BRENNANS WHOLEWHEAT
€1.79 for 500g
Auld Mr Brennan's wholewheat bread is very similar to that of his main rival, McCambridge. The ingredient list is virtually identical, as is the price. He does love his wheatgerm, however: this loaf is covered in the stuff. There still seems to be something missing, however. The flavour is slightly less pleasing, while the bread is slightly drier. The differences are small, however, and this would make a good substitute if required.
Verdict: Grand.
Star rating: ***
