The Best Store-Bought Bread Brands in Canada 

Bread is a staple food all over the world. Crafted from three simple ingredients, (flour, yeast and water), bread comes in many forms, varying from culture to culture as a favourite food for many people. Such popularity of bread is not surprising: it contains fibre, minerals and vitamins and supplies carbohydrates for proper bodily functions. Among other health benefits, whole-grain bread decreases the risk of heart disease and diabetes. 

After people domesticated their plants, the history of bread started evolving from flatbreads to leavened bread with light airy texture. (It was back in Egypt around 3000 BCE when with the use of wild yeast, the first leavened bread was developed.)   

Transporting through history to Canada, in the early days of the country, most people made their own bread until cities emerged and small bakeries started providing for the needs of women who did not have much time to bake at home. “It has been estimated that in 1900 only 8% of Canadian housewives bought bread; by the early 1960s, more than 95% of homemakers regularly purchased bread and the bulk of their bakery requirements from commercial bakeries,” as per Canadian Encyclopedia.  

It was during WWII when Canadian government, concerned about the lack of iron in the diets of many residents, decided to start adding iron to breads. Later in 1953, the Canadian food industry introduced vitamin-enriched bread (thiamine, riboflavin and niacin).  

Today every store in Canada offers country-wide known brands where bread is crafted with top-quality ingredients. We covered some of the most popular bread brands that have been on the market for decades and earned approval among Canadians.   

When reviewing bread brands in Canada we followed our standard pattern of creating the selection of the best products worthy of your attention and money.   

We analyzed what Canadians all over the country had to say about their favourite store-bought bread, especially those who have certain health concerns and must watch their diet.   

Then we researched what other buying guides (Best Rated in Canada, Canadian Living) said about the best bread brands in Canada.   

Finally, we looked at every brand, their history and their commitment to craft loaves, buns, and pastries, and chose those that use natural simple ingredients and traditional techniques.   

Read more on Kitchen and Dining. 

Ingredients: 

Bread, that you will be eating a few times a day, should be made as clean as possible without additives or preservatives. That is why the best bread brands in Canada are entailed to use Canadian flour and natural leavened agents.   

When checking ingredients look for organic whole grains, and a variety of healthy wheat such as rye, oats, and barley. For additional nutrients choose bread that contains protein, fibre, and vitamins. A loaf of bread where every bite is packed with fibre helps to support gut microbes, reinforce the immune system and properly fuel the body.   

Taste:  

The better ingredients the better the taste will be. The best bread brands in Canada, as you will see further, strive to combine both, diversity of taste and texture and various ingredients. Look for bread that offers a well-balanced flavour, and tender but chewy texture instead of the one that is too airy or too sweet.   

Fermentation:  

Try a bread that has been made with a naturally fermented dough and then bite a piece of the one that has additives for faster production. You will be surprised at the significant difference in taste. When yeast has enough time to rest and ferment, the carbs are turned into acids that dissipate during baking, which in the end gives the bread a distinct, artisanal-like taste, texture and aroma.   

Overall, eating fermented foods such as bread, sauerkraut, and yogurt helps to balance digestion, maintain healthy body weight and even prevent some heart diseases.   

Shelf life:  

Let’s put it this way, bread that has a narrower window of ‘Best Before’ days is more likely to contain natural preservatives like salt and vinegar compared to breads with artificial additives. Although some bread companies decide to compromise and add a whole list of preservatives to make bread last longer, do not fall for it (those artificial preservatives could have negative health implications if consumed daily). Instead, buy bread in smaller quantities or get in the habit of freezing that extra toast before it goes bad.   

Which is the healthiest bread in Canada?

It is challenging to put a pin on one brand or type of bread only and call it ‘the healthiest’. However, several studies have shown that sourdough bread is recommended for those managing their blood sugar levels. Compared to whole wheat bread, sourdough has lower glycemic responses.   

How can you tell if bread is high quality?

Bread is not just ingredients, although those are crucial to the taste and qualities of a loaf. It also includes techniques of preparation and baking. Hence, to spot a high-quality bread start by looking at crust. (It has to be crispy and can vary from light golden colour to golden brown.) 

Then, check for air pockets. The fewer there are in the bread the denser and chewier the texture would be. Carbon dioxide is what creates bubbles in bread (the more the yeast grows the more gas appears in the dough), which turns out as light and fluffy loaf.  

Further, you can identify a high-quality bread by its flavour. You want your loaf to have a slightly sweet and nutty taste, which of course, depends on ingredients used to craft that bread.  

How can you tell if bread is healthy?

Unless you are buying sourdough bread, look for bread that is made with 100 percent whole grains or sprouted grains. It should also contain at least three grams of protein and two grams or more of fibre (per slice) but has less than 160 mg of sodium.