groan!!!!

I have no idea, but noticed the flour is a lot more pricey over here. Would use to buy a packet for 10p back in blighty to mark out a footie pitch in the park, wouldn't dream of wasting the money over here

One thing to note is that the price of bread has been rocketing up worldwide in recent years, even in the UK, probably to much higher levels than some remember when they were back a few years ago. I think it also depends on where you live in the US. I'd think those in Kansas would be paying quite a bit less than those of us on the Coasts (I haven't seen a wheat field around these parts ever).

In addition, the Economist has noted that bread prices are somewhat artificially lower in the UK due to it being a constant target of 'price wars' between large chains. It's been written up several times that prices in the UK are some of the lowest in Europe due to the big stores using it as a 'come inside' (a hook) kind of item generally sold with little or no markup (kind of like Coke and Potato Chips in the US).

As for taste, it also is due in large part to what you are used to. I find some UK bread not bad, but some bakery products, like bagels, to be absolutely disgusting. After trying a few bagels in London, my wife (who lived above a bagel shop in midtown Manhattan) told me 'I know WWII required some sacrifices, but you'd think they'd stop adding sawdust to the bagels by now'.

Like many have mentioned, if you really want something good, get a bread maker and do it yourself. There is nothing like a fresh loaf out of the oven--the smell alone is enough to make it worth the time.

Some would say that is the only good use for American bread.

So dukey, bought a breadmaker yet?

My missus is the same way, she won't eat bagels unless someone brings them down when they visit from NY.

I'm also similar in that I'll happily eat a whole loaf of Hovis when I go home :P

Well I have found some decent bread in the local HEB. It's their "store baked" grainy style bread. Very nice at $3 a loaf, but at least it tastes like bread! I've decided that I am going to become a bread expert and try a new loaf every week. Oh what an exciting life I lead.

Imagine telling all your mates back home this.....move to the US and have a great social life..NOT!

Exactly!

Well at least someones using their Loaf....

I paid £1.50 for Hovis wholegrain at Tesco yesterday. Just thought that you might want to know.

didnt know there was a tescos in san diego??? 1.50 is about $3... yeah probably what it would cost for half decent bread

I am in the UK during term-time.....my location is the clue

for sure you have to search around for decent bread thats not like a dry loofah!

jewel/osco instore bakery isnt too bad, the ones i prefer from there (as sliced) are the hearty white bread and the hearty wholewheat bread, both are moist and dense and do not dry too quickly, rather like a good instore UK bread. its the priciest one they do at about $3.60 a loaf but as its denser you still get (relative) value for money.