THE BREAD WE EAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18996, 18 April 1925, Page 11

THE BREAD WE EAT.

DEMAND FOR WHOLEMEAL. THE VIEWS OF BAKERS. | "FOOD FOR FADDISTS." "Whatever tho public wants, the bakers , will supply," was tho assurance given yesterday by one of Auckland's leading bakers, in reply to a query regarding the popularity of ut»lemcal bread. The demand for wholemeal bread apparently is not increasing to any appreciable extent among this baker's customers, for to-day's output, which will number 9800 loaves, will include only 40 wholemeal loaves. There will be 2000 "half and half"' loaves, otherwise "brown" bread, however, so this is perhaps an indication that the public is gradually chewing its way toward better things. There might be some litttai division of opinion as to the use of tho word "better," if this authority's views correctly represent tho attitude of the public upon the matter. "It is really only a few faddists who make regular demand for the wholemeal bread," he said. "Numbers of people take it for a few days, because they see it is recommended by doctors or dentists, but they soon grow tired of it, and give it up. They find it unpalatable after the white or brown bread, being dry and chaffy as compared with the others. Thoso who keep on with it seem to get to like it, but most people soon go back to the other." Questioned with regard to tho obtaining of wheatmeal, tho baker said there was no difficulty in securing whatever amount he might require. It was all a question of demand and supply—if peoplo wanted wholemeal bread, then tho trade would very soon supply it. White Bread Still First. Retail bakers and pastrycooks to whom the matter was referred expressed the opinion that tho demand for wholemeal bread was steadily increasing, although white bread still held first place. Another point mentioned was tho growing popularity of rye bread, which was stated to bo in strong demand at the present time. Theso views were confirmed by a visit to a shop which makes a specialty of all thoso healthful things recommended by doctors and dentists. Even before the question could be put to the lady in charge, it was answered from her own lips, for within three moments, she had made tho same reply to six customers — "Wholemeal bread ? lam sorry, but we have sold right out!" In a temporary lull in business, she explained that she would be making that samo reply to customers for tho noxt three hours. "We usually order about three hundred loaves a day," she said, "and very rarely havo one left over. As a matter of fact, I believe, from the number of people who ask for wholemeal bread, that we would supply half Auckland if onlv we could procure enough meal." She explained that this was specially ground by the firm's millers in the South, and the bread made according to a special recipe, in Auckland. There had been a great increase in demand for this bread, she added, during tho past month or two, probably owing -to the public addresses given in connection with the anti-cancer campaign some time ago. A Question ol Digestion. While there can be no doubt that white bread still holds first place, so far as tho great majority of people are concerned, it is interesting to note that wholemeal bread, or brown bread, is procurable nowadays at almost every tea-room and cafe. "When unprocurable, it has probably been removed from the menu by a demand which lias exceeded the supply. This is especially notable in those exclusive little establishments uninvaded by the fair sex. p „ , This mav indicate that the fathers of the race are taking the dentists' warnings to heart more seriously than tho mothers. It may, on tho other hand, merely be a regrettable indication of a wider incidence of impaired digestion on tho part of the strong sex. No matter what the cause, however, it is an indication that people are gradually giving more hoed to a matter of deep importance, and that the warnings issued by the medical and dental profession are having good effect.