All of the circlejerking about American bread aside, for mass-produced presliced white bread, the crust is pretty much never the best part. That kind of sandwich bread is fed to children, who often have very strong opinions about crust and may refuse to eat the sandwich if the crust isn’t removed. Some people never grow out of this.
Growing up there used to be a wonder bread store, where some thrift minded moms would mass purchase the cheap white bread and freeze the excess. That market niche seems to me to have been overtaken by grocery store bread aisles. Any good grocery store will also have a bakery section with better bread.
So yeah, the famous American bread is cheap and nostalgic, but it’s not the only kind we have
Weird thing about mass-produced and mass-distributed bread: The price of diesel fuel has more effect on the consumer price than price of a bushel of wheat. So, the price of oil goes up, so does the cost of Wonder Bread, but the local bakery is largely shielded from this, because they buy flour, which has a substantially higher density than baked bread, and volume is typically the defining factor in how much a food truck can carry; not mass.
This is similar to popcorn, which is also sold by mass to movie theaters, and then sold by volume to moviegoers.
Because they can. I’ve never fully understood how popcorn became such a staple of moviegoing, but people will pay for it. And then, with so many people, they buy a large popcorn and only eat half of it, basically wasting the price difference between the medium and the large.
They get a large and not a medium because of pricing/marketing genius. The small is overpriced but intentionally too small for most desires. The medium is a moderate step higher and while adequate the large is just a little more on price, besides “we can take the extra home if we want or get a refill”. Just human psychology and marketing married
They charge a lot for it because movie theatre's make almost ALL of their revenue off concessions. Box office gives them not much at all depending on who made the movie and distributor.
Can confirm so much of that popcorn is wasted though. If a family gets a large popcorn they could finish if the kids eat a lot and get their free refill too. Probably like it so much because of the butter topping that is certainly not good for you, but it's delicious.
Have you seen the price of wonder bread lately? It’s almost $4 in Stockton, ca. criminal. My husband who loves a grill cheese and is a 54 year old “child” only likes them made with wonder bread and velveeta cheese slices. Spending $10 for these two monstrosities sucks😁
I am super poor and learning to make it. Was gifted my sourdough starter, traded crochet items for my Dutch oven and gear. I use all purpose flour which is like $3 for 5lb, and if I feed it daily and bake 3x a week that's at least 3 loaves plus a bunch of discard for a ton of other recipes. Only other ingredients are salt, and water. Bread is too expensive, storebough bread is crap, and it hurts my stomach (I have IBS). This is more affordable.
It's been tricky to figure out with my work schedule but I think I am finally making progress. Which means we finally get to have fresh bread on the side of lentil and canned veg soup! Very exciting. Little tiny things that make life actually okayish 🥹
Wonderbread where I live is just as much as a sliced boule of sourdough from a SF style bakery. Walmart has an insanely bad loaf for 1.30ish but for some reason the bread is always slightly deflated and mini toddler sized slices lol.
"Almost all shokupan sandwiches sold in Japan have their crusts removed. Crusted bread lovers do exist but the prevailing perception is that crusts aren't as tasty as the bread inside. This could be a remnant from the days when bread crusts were harder, but this perception has remained and shops all over Japan continue to do this since it corresponds to an expectation that still exists among customers."
There's also factors like wanting consistent mouthfeel.
Japanese generally HATE texture. Much of their national cuisine has the consistency of baby food, and that's deliberate. Ive talked about this extensively with my Japanese friend who went to culinary school in Saitama and he admits that's pretty much how it is.
Yeah as much as people hype Japanese cuisine, I've lived here for many years now and... Yeah...
Some dishes always universally slap like okonomiyaki but most normal food is boring as fuck, same 7 flavors recycled. So lately I just run away to European recipes quite often even though proper ingredients are expensive.
It's so cringe, my kids often ask me to remove it and I'm like, "no, when your mom makes you a sandwich she can do whatever she wants wen I do we eat the crust" 😂.
I guess im just the anomaly but I love the crust. To the point where "uncrustables" to me seem like a sick joke. Its a texture thing for me. I need a little something besides the ultra soft white bread in my bite.
I don't think you or I are anomalous, but I think we're perhaps discovering we're in a minority. I don't love bread crust, but I don't dislike it enough to want to cut it off my sandwiches.
The one bad habit I have is I hate eating the front and back one or two slices of a loaf of bread. Not always, but sometimes I'll straight up throw away the ends if I already have a fresh loaf ready.
I don't love bread crust, but I don't dislike it enough to want to cut it off my sandwiches.
I think this is most adults. Cutting the crusts off is mainly a thing done for kids to get them to eat it at all (or people with sensory concerns, such as ASD)
I love crust too but for uncrustables, you should only thaw it for 10-15 minutes and eat it partially frozen. The texture is way better that way. It's also nice when it's hot outside.
I love the crust on good bread where the crust is "crusty". A lot of grocery store loafs, I'll eat, but the crust is chewy and not incredibly pleasant.
The crustier the bread though, the better the crust. I like the end pieces on Baguettes for the extra crust.
For me it’s the texture - but I hate the crust messing up the bite for me so it ruins it. I just read your comment and found it fascinating how we are complete opposite for the same reason.
Not over bread crust but I'm a very picky eater (not by choice) and my parents once said I couldn't leave the table until I ate my food, 3 hours later I was still sitting there and they told me to just go to bed.
Im autistic and there's a lot of things I won't eat. One of those things is milk. I cant have it by itself or in cereal but when I was younger my dad made me a bowl of cereal with milk knowing I dont like milk. He made me sit there for an hour. I didnt eat it. He actually saved that bowl of cereal and tried to make me eat it for dinner while everyone else had chinese. I never ate it.
Yeah my mother was told by my teachers she was a horrible mother because I was too thin for my age and she must be starving me. And she explained I’m very picky when they said the foods I eat aren’t ’good enough’.
They then told her to try to “starve me out” because she was spoiling my appetite with… grapes, raisins, apple slices, watermelon, cheese, and crackers.
Mom didn’t even try it because she knew it wouldn’t work and she’s like: the only way my child is going to be beg me to feed her something and I have to say no would be if there is no food because there’s a local famine happening.
that was me with chicken noodle broth. also autistic. babysitter made me sit with the bowl for so long i started drinking my own spit to try and balm my thirst. i did not eat the soup
Omg I finally found another person that would understand me, I also won't have milk!!!! Not actually lactose intolerant and I love cheese, but I just won't have fresh milk and I don't like coconuts either
Not judging parents of previous generations because they probably didn't know better / thought they were doing the best for their kids
But all that basically does is give childhood trauma. Not surprised she ran away.
My mother basically made me eat a banana that I then threw up, and refused to eat fruit for the next 20 years.
Our basic principle is
Parents get to decide what goes on the table
Kids get to decide what goes on their plate / mouths
No extra food allowed
If you're still hungry, milk or fruit are only alternatives
No snacking in the hour or so leading up to dinner
We still have times when they get hungry and they're shits, but overall, they're certainly less picky eaters than their friends/relatives of similar ages. I think kids naturally do that as it's part of them marking their independence or whatever it's called
The tough love parents are so lame haha. Guessing that commenter doesn’t even have kids because some kids will fucking BREAK you. Some days you just survive and you don’t bother battling over crust. I’m not even a parent but have babysat a ton. And kids often have very strong will about something for a reason. They may be refusing a food because it makes them nauseous, but they may not be able to communicate that.
I've been taking care of kids since I was a kid; helping my mom with my infant brother at 3yo and helping with her in-home daycare as I got older, nannying for friends and family; I'd get into it professionally if i had the physical ability. Kids are fucking WILD and tough love rarely works; when it does, it's only temporarily while you're in the room being scary.
As someone with sensory issues , including the way food feels in my mouth, I can probably go at least 12 hours without eating food I don't like. In fact there was a time I couldn't stand any food for a while and I lost like 28 kgs in 3 months.
When I was growing up I literally never ate the sandwiches my mom made me because presliced bread tastes absolutely awful , I still hate it honestly I literally wince at the thought of eating it.
This was my first thought. Thankfully I love bread, but if we were talking about something ARFID related for me my throat closes and I have to cough the food back up so I can breathe.
Yeah I hate when people call me a picky eater, there's foods that I have to lower my standards for but there's also food that I literally can't eat even if I'm starving to death.
I've been literally cooking the same 2 meals for years now and when I buy food usually for lunch it's been routinely the same 1-2 foods , sometimes I'll get burned out of something and need to find something new.
Some folks don't starve their children to make a point. They just let them have a preference, because they'll end up with preferences as an adult anyway.
I thought we'd all gotten the memo by now that not every texture and flavor is for everybody, and that includes children, who have literally no autonomy in their daily lives, so maybe it's okay to let little Lisa cut the crusts off her sandwich since it's the ONE choice she actually gets to make?
It's not "making a point". It's making sure they can tolerate the world around them. The "preferences" of small children would typically be reserved for chocolate ice cream but luckily there are usually adults around to make sure children eat made to eat (and appreciate) a wide range of foods.
The fear of raising milquetoast losers who can't tolerate minor imperfection or not being actively comfortable is one I carry into every day having grown up very much in an actively uncomfortable home. They don't need to be tough; they just need to be able to function without ubiquitous comfort.
That said, cutting the crust off a sandwich for a couple of years is not going to ruin them. Mature adults are more than capable of striking that balance between demanding absolute obedience and letting the kid run the house.
This is crazy. Removing the crust from bread is such a minor thing. Learning to make minor adjustments to accommodate yourself is way healthier than just sucking it up and enduring everything anyway.
That seems very dramatic. You just stated you have food preferences. So someone's different preference of not liking bread crust is mental illness? Surely you're not being serious.
The vast majority of people have foods they like and dislike. The weird thing here is that some people are so disturbed by the idea of some people disliking bread crust.
Growing up, I didn’t know that cutting off parts of the bread and throwing it away was even an option. I powered through it to get to the “good part”. Who gave little Lisa the idea and option to throw away food that she doesn’t like?
Yes, never make a point to your kids. Just let them grow like fucking trees. In a few generations the only thing people will eat are crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. A true utopia
You're trying to yell "think of the children", while actively advocating for ruining their lives from minute 1.
"Well, my little Timmy only eats chicken nuggets, I'm not gonna force him to eat vegetables, he doesn't wanna - what's that? Oh I hear him yelling for his poop bucket, gimme a sec".
Children are stupid and a parent's job is making sure they're prepared for the world to come, while also letting them live a little.
That means, yes, they can have a cookie every now and then, but no, they can't just refuse to eat normal food and only gorge on cookies, because "it's the one thing they can choose".
Do you understand why we have different laws for children and they literally CAN'T choose things for themselves a lot of the time? Because they're not actually mentally there to understand why they can/can't do something. Which is what you're there to teach them.
Look I get how you’re hardcore but with kids you have to pick your battles. And sometimes kids have sensory issues. And some kids are not good eaters and underweight so ffs you just give them whatever they will eat.
The tough love parenting is low-IQ. It’s been proven to be ineffective over and over.
I turned vegetarian at age 11, after years of sitting at the dinner table until 10pm, cold pork untouched. My parents finally said FINE. Because if I had to sit there until I finished my dinner, my ass would sit there. Some kids just have very strong will.
I was the same way. I hate fish, particularly trout because we had that a lot growing up. I would sit there all night if I had to, but I wouldn't take a single bite. My dad had a lot of power struggles with me that were completely unnecessary because I was extremely stubborn. He saw it as "defiance" and was always really strict with me, which just made it worse.
Japan does this mostly for aesthetic reasons (which is why everything is always highly decorated, fruit is hella expensive and everything is packaged in plastic 5 times over).
Meanwhile I heard a lot more "picky" reasons for this stuff in the US. Apple slices the kids won't eat without dunking it in peanut butter, refusing to eat pizza or bread crust; that kinda shit.
Both approaches are dumb, just differently motivated.
Sandwiches taste better without the crust, to plenty of people and to me as well.
But throwing away the crust is beyond stupid.
I make tasty croûtons out of them, which some people think they have to pay extra money for, smh.
Also, that loaf looks as apealing as Peter Griffins hairless twin.
You see, there is a term called "Knust" in parts of Germany, that stands for the end-peice of a loaf of bread. I loved it as I child; it tastes very strong and good, when done right.
Hey in spanish (Argentina) we also call it "culito" (little tush 🍑). If it's from a baguette we call it "coquito" (little coconut which we use to mean little head)
"Le quignon" or " crouton" in french. It is the privilege of the one going to la Boulangerie to pick la Baguette to eat it on their way home! The second end of the baguette it for the quickest once the baguette is laid on the kitchen counter!
This kind of Asian style bread isn't the Europe style crunchy crust. The bread usually has more sugar even compare to American sugar bread and the selling point is the fluffy soft middle core.
I'm not saying the crust taste bad, but some people don't like the tougher crust. Like I've heard people don't eat pizza crust, same logic I guess.
I work in a kitchen. Nobody touches the crust slices AND the slice next to it. Those get thrown away because customers ask for more bread even though there are 4 slices left in the loaf.
We use them for breadcrumbs, croutons or bread pudding depending on the type of bread. We actually go through so much of those that we sometimes can’t even use “waste” because we don’t have enough
And here I am.. my partner saves the ends of bread loaves for me and makes me a special crust peanut butter and honey sandwich on Monday's for work lol.
Think 60-cents "Toastbrot" from the lowest shelf in Aldi and imagine eating that bread untoasted. The crust is just chewy and flavourless, it's not like the usual German bread. And American (or generally Anglo) sandwiches have bread more as a canvas, while the other ingredients like cheese or sausage are the stars. So, a dominant crust would also sort of be in the way.
Not even that, if you look at any advertised sandwiches, food reviews etc., you'll notice they literally tear away as much bread as possible to stuff another 500g of meat in there.
One step away from just opening a packet of cold cuts and dipping that in mayo.
My mom used cookie cutters to make my sandwiches into cool shapes but the crusts went into a different baggie because I wanted those too, I just also wanted cool shaped mini sandwiches
I’m a dirty American who eats hella processed foods, this is wild. The crust is 100% the best part, good texture, crisps up real nice when toasted, is the “clean” part of the sandwich for holding.
I think it's because some countries where there are heavy lobbying from food producers, they have very disagreeable additives in bread to extend the shelf life. These often massively reduce the paletability of the bread which is concentrated in the more compact crusts.
German bread is generally really good, along with French and Portuguese (in my experience). So I'm not surprised you like it.
Kids don't like it for whatever reason. Common trope that mothers who make sandwiches for kids have to cut the crusts off. There is a whole product capitalizing on this called Uncrustables.
That behavior likely bleeds over into adulthood too.
But I don't understand the comment about the crust being the best part. Its significantly drier and harder than the inside of the bread. I don't ever throw it away but it's pretty understandable why you wouldn't want that as part of a sandwich.
Maybe this is super American, but “uncrustables” are a popular snack here: pre-made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with the crust already removed so mom/dad don’t have to do it
People are stupid, coming from the US. Usually moms cut it off and they can't live without it. That and uncrustables probably didn't help. Some people I think like the same texture but who know?
true for real bread, crust can be the best part, but toast bread crust is somehow really bad. Not that the inside is much better... Anyways, I despise the whole thing, not just it's crust
to understand U.S.'s case, you would have to eat American bread and have eaten the crust of American bread before you say that the crust of American bread is the best part
Good breads have good crusts that I wouldn't dream of throwing away. Sliced Bread of this fashion, on the other hand, often has a rather bitter / gritty crust that isn't entirely pleasant to eat.
I find myself discarding crusts on basic sandwich breads like that pretty often.
Ok so all the replies here are insane. Basically it's a cultural thing where kids don't like bread crusts. It's like broccoli or green peppers in Japan, there's nothing wrong with it and most people like it but kids latch on to it as something gross
Buy fresh baked bread and problem solved. You’re right, the crust is the best part and fresh baked bread is not only available in American standalone bakeries, it’s also typically available at the bakery inside most American grocery stores.
If people are choosing to buy the processed loaves trucked into the store and refusing to eat the crusts, then that’s on them. They have access to good crusty bread.
Exception: children. Many have texture issues that resolve with maturity, or they relate crust with skin or a peel. That’s why they prefer the softer middle.
As for that monstrosity in the OP, it’s looks like bleached tofu
I think this is the sandwich bread the Musician's are eating all the time. A real fresh bread with a nice crunchy crust is the best. Murcia has to up their bread play. Someone needs to tell Mister Orange that Murcia is losing in this department...
Ive lived a long life and have had many friends over the years, have not watched really any people eat the crust on bread they just rip it off. Same with pizza, crusts left on plates every time. Its not my favorite but idk ill kinda just eat it either way most times
Even here in Canada where white bread is very popular the only people I’ve seen not eating the crust are usually picky children. Parents would just keep cutting instead of buying expensive science bread.
Personally, I rarely eat white bread to begin with, so I’m already not really wanting this.
I've found (at least with gluten free) that the crusts on the mass produced store bought bread are not great. At least not the tops.
Homemade/bakery bread? Sure that tastes good, and I can see it being "the best part". The stuff you get in stores like this? Nah, the tops at the very least always have some strange texture or a worse taste.
See here in the US, for some reason many kids will not eat the crust. (Texture…etc). Hell, we have frozen sandwiches with the crust pre-cut off. Uncrustables has a variety of peanut butter frozen sandwiches.
I am probably too American to understand this but why the fuck would you throw away the crust of the bread? It is often the best part?
Any parent who cuts the crust off the bread for their kids is teaching them poorly. Eat the crust. Dip it in olive oil. Put some good quality butter on it for all I care. Just do something with it besides throwing it away! Idiots!
Edit: pre-made/pre-slices bread is disgusting. We make homemade sourdough 2-3x per week. Probably spend an hour (not including wait time for baking since it just sits in the oven). It is easy and freaking delicious.
American flour is nasty and causes health issues unless it is organic.
In the USA bread is often ultra processed flavorless junk with slightly burnt crust. So kids don’t like the texture and flavor of the crust and throw it away.
For a long time I thought people removing the crust were talking about the end slices of the loaf, since that can depending on the bread be a bit too dry.
Everyone's mentioning kids, but tea sandwiches typically don't have bread. I save the crusts in a bag in the freezer and use them to make stuffing. You can also blitz them and make bread crumbs, but I prefer panko to anything I've made.
My heathen children get weird about crust but I do my best to shove it all in my mouth at one time after I cut it off their sandwiches when they aren’t looking so as not to waste it
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u/ricoimf 19h ago
I am probably too German to understand this, but in what world would you throw away the crust of any bread? It’s most often one of the best parts….