When Irish breads are mentioned, most people think of soda bread. However, Ireland has another lesser-known but equally delicious culinary treasure: Veda Bread. It’s a speciality that originated in Northern Ireland: a delicious bread made with malted flour, which makes it atypical and tasty!
Veda Bread traces its roots back to the early 20th century, and although it’s deeply rooted in Irish food culture, its exact origin remains a bit of a mystery.
Nevertheless, there is a legend about this bread. It is said to have been created accidentally by a Northern Irish cleaning lady who accidentally used wheat that had become damp and sprouted, creating a malted wheat flour.
The resulting bread was then sweet, with a slight nutty taste. And so Vega Bread was born.
Whether it’s true or not, this bread has quickly established itself as a favorite among the Irish thanks to its unique malty flavor.
What really sets Veda Bread apart from other breads is its brown color and pronounced malty flavor.
It is often described as having a slightly sweet taste, which makes it perfect for accompanying a variety of garnishes, whether sweet or savory. It’s the star of Irish breakfasts, meals and snacks: in short, it’s an essential part of Irish gastronomy!
Thanks to its unique flavour profile, Veda Bread is therefore versatile. It can be eaten simply with butter, made into a filling sandwich or even served with jam or preserves for a traditional Irish breakfast.
The Veda Bread base generally includes wholemeal flour, brown sugar, salt, yeast and, of course, malt.
It is this last ingredient that gives it its distinctive flavor and dark brown color.
It is generally sold as a pre-sliced loaf. It’s available everywhere, from supermarkets to local artisans.
But it can also be made yourself: many Irish households do it themselves! It can be made by hand or with a breadmaker. Here’s a preview of the recipe.
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