# What is "Canadian white bread"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 21, 2003, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079 "2003-03-21T13:32:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![godzillatemple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@godzillatemple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/godzillatemple)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/1 "2003-03-21T13:32:21Z")
Here in the northeast part of the U.S. all the grocery stores carry various brands of “Canadian White Bread.” To my eyes (and taste buds) it seems like ordinary, everyday “American” white bread, although sometimes sliced a little thicker. Is there really any difference between Canadian and American white bread? What makes Canadian white bread “Canadian”? Do they actually eat it in Canada, or is it just an invention of admen gone awry (like “French toast” and “English muffins”)? Inquiring minds and all that… Barry ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/2 "2003-03-21T14:02:43Z")
Canadian white is a fairly decent, very plain, white bread. Not as soft and squishy as Wonder Bread or the other awful “pillow” breads that we used to see in supermarkets in my youth, but not something I like in a sandwich. My son likes it, though. In general, bread in supermarkets is much better in quality and variety than used to be, even in the mass-market brands. This is a Good Thing. Pepperidge Farms puts out some very nice, firm-textured breads, including white, oatmeal, and various other grains, all of which make an excellent sandwich. Also, most large supermarkets now have an in-store bakery that can produce quite a variety of very good breads. This is one case where the Good Old Days weren’t. I remember my brother taking a loaf of Wonder Bread (or some equally awful competitor), holding if like an accordian, and squasing the entire 12-inch economy loaf down to two inches – with almost no effort. Yech. ---
**Author:** ![godzillatemple](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/49beb7/32.png) [@godzillatemple](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/godzillatemple)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/3 "2003-03-21T14:05:11Z")
OK, but does it actually have anything to do with Canada? ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/4 "2003-03-21T14:05:34Z")
That should read: _squashing_ ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/5 "2003-03-21T14:06:40Z")
Probably only in the same sense that Canadian-style pea soup has to do with Canada. (By the way, Habitant Canadian-style pea soup is quite good) ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/6 "2003-03-21T14:33:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by godzillatemple \* > \*\*OK, but does it actually have anything to do with Canada? \*\* Never heard of it. The bread I buy here (Canada) is just like Wonder (if it isn’t Wonder), kinda moist and squishy. Sounds kind of like day old homemade bread. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/7 "2003-03-21T14:52:45Z")
Apparently there is a kind of hard white spring wheat called “Canadian white wheat”, developed specially for the Canadian prairies. [http://www.css.orst.edu/nawg/2000/townley.htm](http://www.css.orst.edu/nawg/2000/townley.htm) > [@](#): > > A program to develop hard white spring wheat with quality equivalent to the Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) wheat class was initiated in 1994. The quality of CWRS wheat is suitable for many end use products, however, in many world markets white kernel color is preferred over red providing that the other quality characteristics are equivalent. The quality objectives for this new wheat class were initially set as being fully equivalent to the current CWRS class in milling yield, protein content, gluten strength and elasticity, water absorption, baking performance and low alpha-amylase levels. > > Since white wheat cultivars are generally more susceptible to sprouting at harvest time than red wheat cultivars, the initial parents were chosen to maximize the chances of obtaining good sprouting resistance… [http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/research/ardi/projects/98-061.html](http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/research/ardi/projects/98-061.html) > [@](#): > > DEVELOPMENT OF HARD WHITE WHEAT FOR THE CANADIAN PRAIRIES > > Background and Objectives > > The development of hard white spring wheat at the Cereal Research Centre (CRC) of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Winnipeg, provides a new diversification opportunity for significant production of white bread wheat in western Canada. One advantage of hard white wheat is a perceived milling yield increase over red wheat, which translates into increased revenue for the miller. > > Another advantage is the ability to provide white wheat bread products with a lighter colored product and a milder taste. Particularly for children where the lighter color and taste have a definite appeal, this may be an effective way to increase dietary fiber. New, value-added products made from whole meal white wheat may include: pan breads, bagels, tortillas and pita breads. > > Consumer interest in North America in a healthier diet coincides with the introduction and implementation of hard white wheat into widely available baked products. If commercial bakeries were to develop new baked products using white whole meal, we would predict increased consumption of baked products, increased production demand and an economic growth in the baking industry. In terms of the export market, hard white wheat will become the preferred bread wheat. > > The objective of this project was to analyze hard white wheats developed at CRC in a variety of end-product applications and to gain an understanding of the unique quality advantages of white wheat and its potential role in Canadian domestic and export markets. [http://www.grainscanada.gc.ca/Quality/grlreports/exports/2002/wheat01-02-07-e.asp](http://www.grainscanada.gc.ca/Quality/grlreports/exports/2002/wheat01-02-07-e.asp) > [@](#): > > Canada Prairie Spring White wheat > > Canada Prairie Spring White (CPSW) wheat, used alone or in blends, has the quality characteristics suitable for the production of various types of flat breads, noodles, chapatis, crackers and similar products. > > The most commonly grown varieties eligible for milling grades of CPSW are AC Vista and AC Karma… So “Canadian white bread” would be bread made with Canadian white wheat. In other words, you’re looking at “marketing”–“_the unique quality advantages of white wheat and its potential role in Canadian domestic and export markets_”. ---
**Author:** ![Harli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c0e974/32.png) [@Harli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harli)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/8 "2003-03-21T16:57:30Z")
Well, this Canadian learned something new today! Along the same lines, does that mean Texas Toast bread is made from Texan wheat? Or is it just because Texans do everything big, so the slices are super thick? ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/9 "2003-03-21T17:39:50Z")
And are Girl Scout cookies made from real Girl Scouts? ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/10 "2003-03-21T18:29:48Z")
Never heard of Canadian White Bread, and I doubt they’re marketing it based on the wheat involved. For the record, you can get Wonderbread in Canada-- but why anyone would want to eat that kleenex is beyond me. As for pea soup, it is a big time Quebecois tradition. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/11 "2003-03-21T18:46:19Z")
Never heard of “Canadian Bread”, living here in Canada. Probably made in cities like Hamilton with an active organized crime scene. I’d stay away from the “Canadian Bacon”. ---
**Author:** ![Harli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c0e974/32.png) [@Harli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harli)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/12 "2003-03-21T21:06:34Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Dr\_Paprika_ > **Probably made in cities like Hamilton with an active organized crime scene.** :eek: Hey, there’s nuthin wrong with Hamilton! And we ain’t got no stinkin bread factories…I don’t think… ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/13 "2003-03-21T21:55:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Harli \* > \*\*Well, this Canadian learned something new today! > > Along the same lines, does that mean Texas Toast bread is made from Texan wheat? Or is it just because Texans do everything big, so the slices are super thick? \*\* The latter; it’s called Texas Toast because it’s big. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/14 "2003-03-22T05:28:41Z")
You say “various brands” of Canadian white, but the only brand I know of is the J. J. Nissen brand. Nissen sells several kinds of bread with “Canadian” in the name, including “Canadian white” and “Canadian brown”. I am partial to their “Canadian Multi-Grain” myself. Checking the package, I see it actually says “Canadian style”, so I guess they don’t want people to be confused about where it’s baked. Nissen used to be an independent company based somewhere in New England, but they were bought out by Interstate Bakeries Corp. of Kansas City, which also makes Wonderbread, Hostess cakes, Dolly Madison cakes, Beefsteak rye bread, etc. I’ve been buying Nissen bread since before they were bought out, and they have always used “Canadian” as far as I know. Maybe J.J. was from Canada before he started his bakery in New England, or maybe his big selling point was using high-quality Canadian wheat. I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/15 "2003-03-22T11:35:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BrotherCadfael \* > \*\*And are Girl Scout cookies made from real Girl Scouts? \*\* You certainly don’t want to know what baby oil is made from, then. We have a really, really hard time finding bolillos (Mexican rolls) in these parts that aren’t commercial, Wonderbread quality. Any SE Mich’ers know where to get the heavy, doughy kind with the hard crust? Hell, good paninos (Italian rolls) would work as well. It’s all Wonder… ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/16 "2003-03-22T15:43:50Z")
It’s called Canadian white bread because part of the loaf wants to break away and become an independent loaf of French bread. ---
**Author:** ![Odieman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a87d85/32.png) [@Odieman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odieman)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/17 "2003-03-22T16:09:59Z")
Nope…Canadian white bread isn’t made with Canadian White Wheat because it just got licensed a couple of weeks ago, and this will be the first year that it will be commercially grown…I suspect it’s just a marketing gimmick… Located in the heart of the Canadian Wheat Belt… Keith ---
**Author:** ![Willy\_ph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ea5d25/32.png) [@Willy\_ph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Willy_ph)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/18 "2003-03-22T16:19:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DocCathode \* > \*\*It’s called Canadian white bread because part of the loaf wants to break away and become an independent loaf of French bread. \*\* Gotta agree with that my friend. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eats\_Crayons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/278dde/32.png) [@Eats\_Crayons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eats_Crayons)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-canadian-white-bread/163079/19 "2003-03-22T17:25:17Z")
You sure it’s not because it has ground up Canadians in it? (I haven’t seen my neighbour in a while and I’m worried.)