Brioche Bread: Worth the Buzz or Just Bread?

Nigerians are on to the next food rave—brioche bread! It’s buttery, it’s soft, and it’s all over social media. But there’s one thing giving everyone a little heartburn: the price. When did a humble loaf start running close to ₦20,000? Is it the fluffiness? The fancy French name? Or is it just packaging?

If you’ve been following food trends lately, you’ll know that the price of all bread has skyrocketed in Nigeria. Bakers across the country have been shouting about the soaring costs of ingredients, from flour to sugar to butter. And since brioche is basically the VIP of bread, made with richer ingredients like eggs (a lot), butter, and milk, it’s not surprising that it’s costing a bit extra​. 

But Why is Brioche So Popular Now?

Brioche isn’t just bread; it’s practically a pastry! It requires a unique method that sets it apart from the regular loaves. The key difference lies in something called “enrichment”. While standard bread typically includes just flour, water, and yeast, brioche incorporates eggs, butter, and sometimes even milk or cream. 

These extra ingredients make the dough softer, and fluffier, and give it that golden color that makes it great for those perfect Instagram breakfast shots. Plus, many cafes and bakeries are banking on its popularity, promoting it as a luxury bread for sandwiches and gourmet burgers. Even our beloved Agege bread doesn’t get this type of hype!

In terms of technique, brioche dough goes through a much slower mixing process that blends in the fats in the butter without compromising its airy texture. The dough is usually chilled overnight, which helps develop flavor and allows the butter to fully integrate, resulting in that signature buttery taste. The end product is a pillowy-soft loaf with a rich, slightly sweet flavor.

But Is It Worth It?

Here’s where it gets tricky. Paying a little extra for flavor and fluff is fine for some, but others feel it’s just bread at the end of the day. And with the pinch we’re all feeling, splurging on 20k loaf might seem a little unnecessary. If you’re in it for the treat, you might find it’s worth every kobo. But for regular munching? Well, that’s for you to decide.

Be sure to let me know what you think in the comment section.

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