$1 bread brands pass taste test

GRAINS OF TRUTH: Reporter Adriana Weber asked people whether they thought $1 bread was as good as the expensive stuff. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 180714BF8

The battle of the bread has begun, with Rotorua supermarkets slashing the price of their budget-branded loaves.

New Zealand's major supermarket chains, including Countdown, Pak'nSave and New World, are offering customers 600g budget bread for $1 or less.

But is budget better? And does it taste any different from the more expensive versions?

The Rotorua Daily Post conducted its own unscientific blind taste test of four different types of white bread - the three supermarkets' $1 offerings and a Tip Top loaf costing $2.70.

The overwhelming majority of people said all four tasted the same but if they had to chose the best, most went for the more expensive version.

One person said they preferred a budget version, a Budget loaf from New World.

The move to make budget bread even cheaper has not pleased all, especially those who believe a diet high in white bread is unhealthy. Local nutritionist Tatjana Smolic said white bread, which was the most common form of budget bread, was the least nutritional and nourishing type of bread.

While wheatmeal was slightly better, she said most nutritionists would agree that wholegrain brown bread was the healthiest option as it was full of vitamins and fibre.

"Wholegrain bread is the least processed, while white bread is the most processed and most robbed of goodness," she said.

However, she said she understood that some people, because of their financial situations, would prefer the budget white bread.

"It's fine, so long as you don't eat too much of it. Everything in moderation."

Loading the bread up with healthy, nutritious toppings like fresh fruit and vegetables, would also help, she said.

Since the price drop Rotorua customers have been rushing to stock up on the staple, keeping staff busy.

Countdown Rotorua manager Steve Green said the store was selling plenty of $1 bread, and staff were prepared for even more customers to flood through the doors for the offer.

Rotorua Pak'nSave owner Neil Foster said they'd been selling bread for 95 cents since 5pm on Thursday and it was proving to be a hit with customers.

Readers on the Rotorua Daily Post Facebook page were divided on whether they would be rushing out to take advantage of the price drop.

"No. We have a rule only to buy the better quality bread. It fills us up more. Ones like Molenberg or Ploughman's. If they made those $1 or even $2 I would rush like a crazy person and buy heaps," one user said.

Others were thrilled by the move. On reader said: "Some people can't afford the flash bread so $1 breads are great for those large families or ones with a household of kids."