Trader Joe's Sprouted Rye Multigrain Bread

The first time I picked up this bread, I was starring down all the healthy bread options when my ears perked up at the sound of the conversation this man was having on the phone. "Ezekiel bread? Yeah, I'm looking right at it. That stuff is disgusting." I nearly laughed out loud. I personally don't think Ezekiel bread is as bad as disgusting (but the taste of Ezekiel bread vs. the taste of regular artisan bread? No contest y'all), but it was just nice to hear somebody else comment candidly on the actual taste of a product rather than overreact and overendorse the positives of an averagely meh product. Then again, taste is subjective and maybe our standards are too low or too high or whatever. Therefore - trophies for everyone and everything for being a star even though that may or may not be the case! :P 

 

This bread I picked up for myself because my husband A dislikes most healthy-leaning or healthy-tasting breads. And while you have to admire a guy for sticking to his principles, a little more fiber and lower glycemic index foods never hurt anyone, amirite? I also love a good rye flavor - it's just a little more interesting and flavorful compared to a standard sandwich bread. 

The picture doesn't show this well, but the actual loaf size is definitely smaller than a lot of the other breads. It looks like it could have been baked in an average-sized loaf pan that you use for quick breads and whatnot. So don't get too excited if you're calorie-conscious and wowed by the fact that each slice only has 70 calories. Also, sprouted grains does not mean gluten free and who knows if the sprouted grains here actually deliver on the purported health benefits of binding the phytates in your bread. Research if you care - like go read scholarly articles or news from reputable sources and not google or a Reddit form or something.

1) Out of all the Trader Joe's sprouted grain breads that I've tried (sourdough, sprouted flourless) thus far, this one is the tastiest. But mind you I like the flavor of caraway seed. The caraway seed flavor here is even better and stronger than the old world rye bread.

2) The cardboard-ish texture normally common to a lot of sprouted breads is noticeably less. The sprouted grains add a nice nuttiness without making it too tough. This could be due to the presence of wheat flour and wheat gluten, but I would still toast this before eating to minimize that texture.

3) The only downside here is that the toast size is quite small - perhaps would be perfect as a sandwich size for kids - but slathered with avocado and the best seasoning ever, it's quite satisfying as a snack or a light light breakfast.

$3.29 for a modest loaf. Not super cheap but reasonably priced for the quality. I've already repurchased!

TL;DR: Trader Joe's Sprouted Rye Multigrain Bread. A healthier maybe alternative to your usual rye bread with more of those healthy grains that people keep sneaking into our everyday foods. 8 out of 10. Mantou Joe repurchase? Yaaaaaas.