This loaf proved tasty, authentic and popular. Using the exact same ingredients in the same quantities as the panel's favourite, McCambridge's, it is a dense, filling bread. Good crumbliness, lovely nutty taste and excellent value.

***

Gills 100% Wholewheat 1.26 400g

The panel liked everything about this bread.

It had good flavour, a great wholewheat taste and a pleasing texture. The buttermilk gives it a credible homemade quality.

****

Irish Pride Buttermilk Soda 1.55 570g

Irish Pride uses 60% reconstituted buttermilk, rather than fresh buttermilk, which may explain the ordinariness of the product. The texture is overly smooth and processed and the flavour is adequate but bland.

*

McCambridge Irish Stone Ground Wholewheat Bread 1.29 500g

The blend of fresh buttermilk and wholewheat flour make this a moist, nutty loaf.

Tasty and traditional it has a convincing home-baked texture. Delicious.

*****

Rankin Irish sliced Stoneground Wheaten 1.58 400g

The high buttermilk content creates a dense, homemade-style bread packed with flavour and appeal. Despite the lovely crumbliness in the mouth, our panel were disappointed to find a list of preservatives, flavouring and colouring in this traditional-style product. Expensive too.

***