292716 Sun May 04 11:40:35 -0700 2003 14 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1598605 I haven't had very good luck with bread from TJ's, but yesterday I bought a sliced loaf I like very much. it's called The Shepherd's Bread. It's sweetened with honey and malt. You can really taste the malt. It's not sweet though, and would work fine for either a sweet or savory sandwich filling. I'm not sure how widely available it is. I bought mine in Larchmont, NY. Sun May 04 11:40:35 -0700 2003 0 Pat Hammond 1 1598607 I agree that the Shepherd's bread is quite good as a sandwich bread (it's available here in the DC area, too). However, like most TJ breads, it tends to spoil after only a couple of days, which tends to be a problem if one intends the loaf to be the source of school lunches for at least a week! And the bread definitely loses something when refrigerated or frozen. Any suggestions? Sun May 04 12:33:02 -0700 2003 1598605 0 Marty L. 2 1598609 Hey, Marty, I live alone and have thrown many a half loaf out for the birds because it got moldy. I finally just knuckled under and refrigerate or freeze it. Yes, it definitely loses something, but I find it preferable to throwing it out. Beyond that, I'm afraid I have no advice to offer. Pat Sun May 04 12:45:07 -0700 2003 1598607 0 Pat Hammond 3 1598619 In LA some TJ's have "Bachelor Loaves". Half-loaves of bread. You might request your store to stock them. Sun May 04 14:02:57 -0700 2003 1598609 0 2chez mike 2 1598647 I keep my bread in a bread box. I originally bought the box as defense against my labrador retriever who is a food magnet--nothing is safe left out. Side benefit is it seems to keep my bread (TJ's included) fresher longer. (Of course, I also have a teenage son so maybe my bread doesn't have a chance to become a science project.) I do love the idea of a "bachelor's loaf"--never heard of that. Sun May 04 22:52:23 -0700 2003 1598607 0 chowfish 3 1598650 It's one of the buyer friendly things about TJ's I really like. They price it fairly at around half the price of a regular loaf. They don't penalize you by charging you double for buying a smaller portion ala Ralph's, Von's, etc. Mon May 05 00:35:32 -0700 2003 1598647 0 2chez mike 1 1598610 i like the cornmeal rye and it lasts forever in the fridge..... Sun May 04 12:58:59 -0700 2003 1598605 0 Ken Hoffman 1 1598635 An important thing to consider about TJs bread is that all TJs are not created equal in that they get their bread from local bakeries. I realized this when I moved from the LA area to the SF area six months ago. The sourdough I loved in LA is ever-so-slightly different up here; more like plain white bread in texture, although it still has a sourdough taste. A little inquiry confirmed my thoughts = just like their dairy products and many, many additional items at TJs, they utilize local producers so what one buys in one county is probably very different in another county. I, too, refrigerate ALL their bread. Sun May 04 20:43:37 -0700 2003 1598605 0 Gordon 2 1598639 I'm glad to hear that you refrigerate their bread. I've always felt somewhat guilty about the practice. It helps, I've noticed, to leave it out long enough to take off the chill, and I do, if I'm not too hungry! And if they get their bread from local bakers, that's good news, I think. pat Sun May 04 21:00:58 -0700 2003 1598635 0 Pat Hammond 2 1598640 All Trader Joes are not created equally!Try everthing out in your regional store. Breads and other supplies may vary accordingly to local suppliers. Sun May 04 21:08:49 -0700 2003 1598635 0 sandramr 3 1598663 Isn't that about what I said? Mon May 05 09:35:50 -0700 2003 1598640 0 Gordon 4 1598758 Sorry I should have said that I was just argeeing with you -did not mean to plagerize your response! Mon May 05 21:11:07 -0700 2003 1598663 0 sandymr 1 1598753 Is Shepard's bread whole wheat? And is it soft? I have been searching for a whole wheat bread that is soft and does not have trans fats, like all the major brands do. The local natural foods store sells several varieties of wheat bread, but none of them are soft. They're all stiff, dry, and crumbly. Is there such a thing as soft wheat bread that doesn't have trans fats? It doesn't even have to be organic. Mon May 05 20:13:33 -0700 2003 1598605 0 nja 2 1598763 Where do you live, nja? Here in New England, both Vermont and Matthew's brand whole wheat breads meet your criteria, and both are available in many supermarkets. Tue May 06 00:02:29 -0700 2003 1598753 0 C. Fox 3 1598796 SF. Thanks anyway. The search continues... Tue May 06 11:53:00 -0700 2003 1598763 0 nja