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Did you think we were done talking about bread after Nate’s Five Question Friday? Oh no. We’re just getting started. Behold... THE BREAD BRACKET.
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After debating breads for well over an hour in TDS Slack (yes, we’re that bored), we realized we would need to even out the big differences of opinion before we gave out seeds. So we decided on the breads that would make the cut and then had everyone rank each region from 1-16. The seeding is based on the average ranking for each bread, from lowest to highest.
Now let’s review the field.
SANDWICH LOAF REGION
These are breads used for sandwiches and baked in loaves. We thought sourdough might cruise through this region, but Cuban bread nearly snatched the #1 seed away from them. French bread had a strong, consistent season and even finished ahead of its cousin, the baguette. As expected, white and wheat bread finished well off the pace. Kings Hawaiian could have fit in multiple regions, but it’s a variant of Portuguese sweet bread, which is typically baked in loaves. Toughest omission here: Texas toast.
SANDWICH ROLL AND FLATBREAD REGION
Still in the sandwich category, these are sandwich flatbreads and breads baked in rolls. Ciabatta is a worthy top seed, although pretzel rolls could be a dark horse. They were held back by a shockingly low seed from one staffer (no, it wasn’t Nate). Naan led a charge by several international breads into this region, and there is a lot of upset potential. Buns were disallowed, because they’re just white bread in different shapes.
SOLO BREADS REGION
Breads eaten by themselves, or as side dishes. It took awhile for us to think of cornbread, but in hindsight it is the clear favorite in this region. Focaccia landed here as a well-loved side for fondue and in bread baskets at fancy Italian restaurants. (Speaking of which, garlic bread falls under Italian bread.) The first-round matchup between banana bread and pumpkin bread is already causing consternation, like making Texas and Texas A&M play each other. Monkey bread’s hopes of making the field were dashed at the last minute when it was discovered to be a pastry.
MISCELLANEOUS/MAYBE NOT BREAD REGION
Many of the teams in this region are firmly in the bread category, with others right on the edge (looking at you, biscotti). Croissants had the best average ranking of any bread in the field. Tortillas are the most controversial team in the bracket. Some praise their versatility and utility, while others argue they shouldn’t count as bread at all. This is a top-heavy region with lots of strong contenders, but the lowest seeds here look like real cannon fodder... especially johnnycakes, which are pretty much baked gruel. Shortbread was ruled out as a cookie, and muffins were not included because they are very small cakes.
So now that you’ve seen the teams, it’s time for you to help decide which is the best of all the breads. All 32 first-round matchups are shown below for you to vote. (If you don’t see the embedded polls, open the page outside of Google Amp.) Voting in this round ends Wednesday night. Winners move on to the second round. Losers get turned into croutons!
SANDWICH LOAF REGION - ROUND 1
Poll
(1) Sourdough vs. (16) Rice Bread
Poll
(8) Multigrain vs. (9) Wheat/Whole Wheat
This poll is closed
-
55%
Multigrain
(33 votes) -
45%
Wheat/Whole Wheat
(27 votes)
Poll
(5) Kings Hawaiian vs. (12) Marble Rye
Poll
(4) Baguette vs. (13) Milk Bread
Poll
(6) Challah vs. (11) White
Poll
(3) French Bread vs. (14) Pumpernickel
Poll
(7) Potato vs. (10) Rye
Poll
(2) Cuban Bread vs. (15) Pan Sobao
SANDWICH ROLL AND FLATBREAD REGION - ROUND 1
Poll
(1) Ciabatta vs. (16) Bing
Poll
(8) Muffaletta vs. (9) Weck
Poll
(5) Hoagie Roll vs. (12) Piadina
Poll
(4) Brioche vs. (13) Pambazo Bread
Poll
(6) Pita vs. (11) Telera
Poll
(3) Pretzel Roll vs. (14) Injera
Poll
(7) Kaiser Roll vs. (10) Marraqueta
Poll
(2) Naan vs. (15) Onion Roll
SOLO BREADS REGION - ROUND 1
Poll
(1) Cornbread vs. (16) Raisin Bread
Poll
(8) Roti vs. (9) Tandoor
Poll
(5) Banana Bread vs. (12) Pumpkin Bread
This poll is closed
-
60%
Banana Bread
(34 votes) -
39%
Pumpkin Bread
(22 votes)
Poll
(4) Pan de Queso vs. (13) Parker House Rolls
This poll is closed
-
76%
Pan de Queso
(43 votes) -
23%
Parker House Rolls
(13 votes)
Poll
(6) Yeast Rolls vs. (11) Jalapeno Cheddar Bread
This poll is closed
-
49%
Yeast Rolls
(28 votes) -
50%
Jalapeno Cheddar Bread
(29 votes)
Poll
(3) Italian Bread vs. (14) Lavash
Poll
(7) Cinnamon Swirl vs. (10) Bimini Bread
This poll is closed
-
75%
Cinnamon Swirl
(43 votes) -
24%
Bimini Bread
(14 votes)
Poll
(2) Focaccia vs. (15) Anpan
MISCELLANEOUS/MAYBE NOT BREAD REGION - ROUND 1
Poll
(1) Croissants vs. (16) Johnnycakes
Poll
(8) Scones vs. (9) Bublik
Poll
(5) Tortillas vs. (12) Farl
Poll
(4) Pretzels vs. (13) Panettone
Poll
(6) English Muffins/Crumpets vs. (11) Biscotti
This poll is closed
-
77%
English Muffins/Crumpets
(45 votes) -
22%
Biscotti
(13 votes)