More About Bread Loaves

Our Bread Loaves collection focuses on soft, packaged French breads: organic pain de mie sandwich loaves, brioche burger and hot dog buns, and the spiced breads and toasts that French families serve with foie gras. Epicerie Corner brings these La Boulangère, La Fournée Dorée, Bio Village, Jacquet and Labeyrie favourites to UK homes, delivered nationwide.

What Is Pain de Mie?

In France, pain de mie means a soft sandwich loaf baked in a tin, with a thin, tender crust and a fine, even crumb. The name comes from mie, the soft inside of the bread, which makes up most of the loaf. Unlike the baguette, which is all about crust and is bought daily, pain de mie is sliced, keeps for several days and is used for sandwiches, toast, croque-monsieur and children's snacks.

French pain de mie often contains a little milk, sugar or fat, which gives it a softer texture than a British farmhouse loaf. Large-slice versions (grandes tranches) are made for sandwiches and toasting.

Bread Loaves and Buns in Our Range

Organic Sandwich Loaves

La Boulangère makes organic large-slice loaves in two versions: La Boulangère Organic Cereals Bread, with cereals and seeds for extra texture, and an Organic Wholemeal Bread made with wholemeal flour. The Bio Village Plain Bread is a simple organic pain de mie for everyday sandwiches and toast.

Brioche Buns for Burgers and Hot Dogs

Brioche buns, made with eggs and a touch of sugar, have become the bun of choice for gourmet burgers in France. La Fournée Dorée offers Brioche Burger buns in packs of four, Mini Burger Buns in packs of ten for sliders and party food, and Hot Dog Buns in packs of six. Their soft, slightly sweet crumb contrasts nicely with grilled meat and sharp sauces.

Gingerbread and Festive Toasts

Pain d'épices is a traditional French spiced bread made with honey and spices. The Bio Village Honey Gingerbread is organic and pre-sliced for breakfast or a snack. For festive meals, the Labeyrie Gingerbread Special for Foie Gras is a soft, spiced loaf designed to be toasted and served with foie gras, and Jacquet Round Foie Gras Toasts are crisp, ready-made rounds for the same purpose.

How to Choose a Loaf or Bun

• For sandwiches and toast: a large-slice pain de mie; choose cereals or wholemeal if you prefer more texture and fibre.
• For organic shopping: the La Boulangère and Bio Village loaves are organic.
• For barbecues and parties: brioche burger buns, mini buns for sliders and hot dog buns.
• For a festive starter: foie gras toasts or gingerbread, toasted lightly.
• Allergens: brioche buns contain egg and often milk, and all these breads contain wheat; check each product page.

Serving and Storage Tips

Toast pain de mie lightly for breakfast with butter and jam, or use it for a croque-monsieur: ham and cheese between two slices, topped with béchamel or grated cheese and baked until golden. Warm brioche buns for a minute, cut side down, in a dry pan or under the grill before building your burger. For a festive starter, toast slices of gingerbread, top them with foie gras and a little fig jam or onion confit, and serve immediately.

Keep packaged loaves sealed in a cool, dry place and use them by the date on the pack. Slices freeze well and can be toasted straight from the freezer. For baguettes, rusks and pre-baked bread, explore our full Bread collection, or browse Foie Gras to complete a festive table.

Bread Loaves FAQs

What is the difference between pain de mie and brioche?

Both are soft breads, but brioche is much richer: it contains eggs, butter and more sugar, giving it a golden crumb and a sweet taste. Pain de mie is a plainer sandwich loaf with only a little fat or milk, designed for everyday sandwiches and toast.

Why serve gingerbread with foie gras?

The gentle sweetness and warm spices of pain d'épices balance the richness of foie gras. In France, toasted gingerbread is a classic base for foie gras at Christmas and New Year, alongside fig chutney or onion confit.

Can I freeze these breads?

Sliced loaves and brioche buns can be frozen in their bag or a freezer bag. Defrost them at room temperature, or toast slices straight from frozen. Toasts such as Jacquet foie gras rounds do not need freezing: simply keep them sealed in the cupboard.

Are these breads organic?

The La Boulangère cereal and wholemeal loaves, the Bio Village plain bread and the Bio Village gingerbread are organic. The brioche buns, the Labeyrie gingerbread and the Jacquet toasts are conventional; check each product page for details.