Veda bread

Veda bread is a distinctive type of bread with intriguing variations depending on whether you're in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, or Northern England.

In Northern Ireland, Veda bread is a small, caramel-colored loaf that remains soft when fresh. The market there is predominantly dominated by Allied Bakeries Ireland, renowned for their popular "Sunblest Veda" brand. Conversely, if you venture over to Northern England, you will encounter a different version of Veda bread. This variant is a sweet, sticky loaf made with black treacle. It is typically served sliced, either plain or with a bit of butter. The molasses in the treacle helps retain its freshness, and aficionados often allow it to rest in a closed cake tin to let the flavors fully develop before indulging.

The recipe for Veda bread has been a closely guarded secret for over a century. However, some resourceful bakers have achieved success by adapting malted fruit loaf recipes, simply omitting the fruit and alcohol. Despite its sweetness, Veda bread is often enjoyed toasted with butter and cheese, or with a spread of jam or marmalade, making it a favored snack.

The authentic recipes for Veda bread are held by Veda Bakeries, located in East Lothian and owned by Jim Kerr of Forthestuary Cereals. There's an interesting tale behind the bread's inception: legend has it that it was discovered by accident when a housekeeper for a farmer in Dundee used damp, sprouted wheat to make malted wheat. The result was a sweet, malted bread that ultimately became known as Veda bread.