Supermarket Brioche Buns: A Tasty Adventure
Brioche buns are a delightful treat, but the supermarket variety can be a bit of a wild ride. I recently embarked on a mission to taste and rate these buns, and let me tell you, the bar is surprisingly low. From the most luxurious to the most processed, these buns are a fascinating journey through the world of mass-produced baked goods.
The Lowdown on Supermarket Brioche
Brioche is a luxurious dough, enriched with eggs and butter. However, supermarket versions often use less butter and substitute with cheaper fats like palm fat or rapeseed oil. This can lead to a less authentic brioche experience, but don't despair! Even the most processed buns can be passable, and some are quite delicious.
My Tasting Adventure
I tested these buns straight from the packet, analyzing their egg wash, crumb type, and texture. My ratings were based on flavor, value, processing, sustainability, and animal welfare. The bar is indeed low, with most buns falling into the UPF (Unremarkable, Processed, Flavorless) category.
The Best of the Best
Waitrose No 1 Brioche Rolls
Waitrose's No 1 brioche rolls are a standout. With a light, fluffy texture and an open crumb, they have a distinguishable nutty flavor from the brown butter. The ingredients list is simple and includes a good ratio of free-range egg and butter. Emulsifier- and preservative-free, these buns are a cut above the rest.
Co-op Irresistible Four Brioche Buns
Co-op's Irresistible buns are a bargain. A large, round, dark-golden bun with a turmeric-yellow crumb, they have a nice, buttery flavor. However, they contain emulsifiers and flavoring, which is a bummer.
The Rest of the Pack
M&S Collection Brioche Buns Made with Sourdough
M&S's sourdough brioche buns are a delight. With a dark-brown glaze and an open, cakey crumb, they have a sour twang from the sourdough. Enriched with butter from Brittany, free-range egg, and clotted cream, these buns are a treat.
Aldi Specially Selected Brioche Burger Buns
Aldi's buns are French-made and small, with a closed crumb and springy texture. They have a great burger bun flavor, rich and sweet, without the sourness found in some other products. However, they contain emulsifiers.
Asda Exceptional Brioche Burger Buns
Asda's buns are a medium-sized classic with a nice, golden carotene-colored closed crumb and a sour twang. Rich, sweet, and soft, they are made with free-range eggs but contain emulsifiers, palm fat, preservatives, and maltodextrin.
Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Brioche Burger Buns
Sainsbury’s buns are a medium-sized classic with a light and fluffy texture and a closed crumb. Rich and buttery, they are quite sweet with a sourness from the vinegar. They contain eggs and palm oil, but no artificial flavorings or preservatives.
Morrisons the Best Brioche Burger Buns
Morrisons' buns are small, soft, and buttery with an open crumb and a sweet finish. However, they have a long ingredients list, including eggs, palm fat, emulsifiers, preservatives, maltodextrin, and flavoring.
Tesco Fire Pit Brioche Burger Buns
Tesco's party pack of eight egg-glazed brioche buns is sweet with a sour twang from the fermented wheat flour. Soft but a little bready, they have a light but open crumb. They contain eggs, palm oil, and emulsifiers.
St Pierre Brioche Buns
St Pierre buns are sweet, small, and sliced French brioche with a uniform glaze. Soft in texture with a closed crumb, they have a chemical-like plastic aroma. They contain eggs, invert sugar syrup, flavoring, and emulsifier.
La Boulangère Brioche Burger Buns
La Boulangère buns are a long-life French import made with barn eggs and no butter (just rapeseed oil). They have a classic, golden egg glaze, a white bready texture, and a good bounce. However, they contain preservatives and have a chemical aroma.
The Bottom Line
Supermarket brioche buns are a fascinating journey, but the bar is indeed low. While some are passable, others are quite delicious. The best buns are a cut above, with simple ingredients and a focus on quality. So, the next time you're in the supermarket, give these buns a try and see for yourself!
