Malt loaf facts for kids
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| Place of origin | Scotland |
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| Region or state | Unknown |
| Created by | John Montgomerie |
| Main ingredients | Malt, fruits |
Malt loaf is a yummy, sweet bread that's a bit chewy. It's made with a special ingredient called malt extract, which gives it a unique taste. You'll often find raisins inside! People usually enjoy malt loaf sliced with some butter, especially during tea time. Sometimes, a little bit of malt flour is added to make the malt flavour even stronger.
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The Story of Malt Loaf
Have you ever wondered who invented malt loaf? Back in 1889, a man named John Montgomerie from Scotland came up with a clever way to make this tasty bread. He even got a patent for his idea in the United States in 1890.
John Montgomerie's special method involved using diastatic malt extract. This extract contains natural helpers called enzymes. When mixed with dough and warmed up, these enzymes break down some of the starch in the dough into a type of sugar called maltose. This process helps give malt loaf its unique sweetness and texture.
Popular Malt Loaf Brands
One of the most famous brands of malt loaf is "Soreen". The name "Soreen" comes from two families: "Sorensen" and "Green", who were business partners. Soreen is a very popular snack in the UK!
Over the years, the Soreen brand has been owned by different companies. In 2003, Warburtons sold it to Inter Link Foods. Later, in 2007, Soreen became part of the McCambridge Group. In 2014, a UK food company called Samworth Brothers bought the Soreen brand. Another well-known brand is "Aunt Ellen's". Both Soreen and Aunt Ellen's malt loaves are made in Manchester, England.
There was also a brand called "Harvo" which was made in Birmingham. Even though the company stopped making it in 1973, some people still call any malt loaf a "Harvo Loaf"!
Malt Loaf Around the World
Malt loaf isn't just popular in the UK! Other countries have similar sweet breads.
In Scandinavia, especially during December and the holiday season, people enjoy a bread called vörtbröd. This name means "wort bread". The dough for this bread uses beer wort instead of plain water. This adds a lovely sweetness and flavour. Many spices linked to Christmas are also added, like cloves, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and raisins.
Malt Bread in Russia
In Russia, malt bread is one of many types of baguettes you can find. It's often baked in local bakeries in different cities.
