The Hindu Business Line : Well bread!

The demand for these breads is such that they get sold within an hour of hitting the shop shelf. Until a year ago, designer breads were available only at five-star hotels.

Upper crust: Bread boutiques are the latest fad among the health-conscious. - ARUNABHA BOSE

What do Tina Ambani, Gauri Khan, Achala Sachdev and several other celebrities have in common besides their fame and fortune? A yen for healthy living and a preference for designer bread!

Yes, bread boutiques, or even bread parlours as they are called, are the latest food fad among the rich, neo-rich and the fashion-conscious in major cities across the country.

The demand for these breads is such that they get sold within an hour of hitting the shop shelf. Until a year ago, designer breads packed in decorative cane baskets were available only at five-star hotels.

Today many shopping malls are cashing in on this trend, too. True Marts, Spar and several other malls in fact have their in-house bakery, which tempt shoppers with their aroma of fresh-baked bread.

The sandwich bread varieties available include white velvet bread, country brown bread, whole wheat bread, masala bread, milk bread, real multigrain brown bread, farmer's white bread, farmer's brown bread, Swiss brown bread, cheese bread, onion bread, cheese and herbs bread, healthy high fibre and varieties of focaccias.

Multi-grain loaf: It has a mixture of several grains including bajra, jowar, soya grits, nachni, and raagi. It is flavoursome, does not contain maida and is best eaten in thin slices. The deep nutty smell comes from the roasted grains.

It can be eaten with fresh ripe tomatoes, salad leaves, ham, chicken breast and, of course, as a simple toast. Price — approximately Rs 40 a loaf.

Focaccia: It is Italian bread with a high content of olive oil and herbs. The flavourful focaccia has several kinds of toppings — summer tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, herbs, rosemary, sea salt and garlic. Often called a poor man's pizza, the toppings give a natural fruity flavour. Price — Rs 40

Filled bread: This is made-to-order overnight and costs about Rs 60; it is basically soft white bread whose taste depends on the filling — prawn, chicken, cheese or spinach. Tasty and very filling.

Black olive baguette: Classic, long French bread crusty from outside and soft inside. Can be eaten with cheese dips, cream cheese, or as a toast. Price — approximately Rs 25.

Ciabatta: It is a light, Italian bread dusted with rye flower and shaped like a slipper. Price — Rs 25.

Fibre: A thin-crusted bread made from unleavened bran, whole-wheat, rye flour and malt, it is smoky sweet because of the roasted malt. Price — approximately Rs 65

Honey and oat loaf: This is also made-to-order overnight and costs about Rs 50; it has a nutty flavour because of the oats, with sweet overtones of honey. Goes well with soup and as toast for breakfast.

Speckle: Made of cornflower seeds, sunflower seeds, and whole wheat, this highly nutritious bread costs about Rs 65.

Pita bread: This interesting variety of sandwich bread is shaped like a kangaroo pocket, which can be filled with a variety of dry or wet fillings. Pita is much thinner and brown in colour.