What Is Dutch Crunch Bread?

Not unlike the baking process itself, it seems like the world of bread is always expanding. For every white, wheat, or rye there’s a regional variety that could be new to you. Today’s topic is a spectacular example: Dutch crunch bread! For the uninitiated, Dutch crunch is a San Francisco bread sensation that is akin to sourdough, but the locals will assure you, friend, this isn’t sourdough! We’ll explore every crispy crackle of this fresh baked beauty. Let’s get crunching! (Munching will also be accepted, but begrudgingly.) 

What is Dutch crunch bread?

Dutch crunch bread is a type of pillowy, white bread roll topped with a special rice flour coating that bakes into an incredibly crisp and crackled crust. It’s particularly popular in San Francisco and the Bay Area where it’s used to make classic deli-style sandwiches. You may have also heard Dutch crunch bread called tiger bread. 

What is tiger bread?

Tiger bread (or tijgerbrood, in Dutch) is another name for Dutch crunch bread. In fact, it’s the original name for this type of crispy-coated roll. 

Where did Dutch crunch bread come from?

The bread originated in the Netherlands in the early 1900s. While we’re not totally sure how it got here, the first mention of Dutch crunch in the United States was in a Eugene, Oregon newspaper in 1935, according to food historian Erica J. Peters, where it appeared in a bakery advertisement. Eventually, though, it made its way down to San Francisco, where it flourished. While it remains a Bay Area staple, you can get Dutch crunch-esque bread elsewhere. Wegmans, an East Coast grocery chain, sells it as Marco Polo bread

What is on tiger bread/Dutch crunch bread?

What gives Dutch crunch bread its delightfully sweet crunch and unique pattern? Tiger bread (or Dutch crunch bread) is brushed with a paste made from yeast, oil, rice flour, sugar, salt, and water. The rice paste is what creates the tiger/giraffe/snake/whatever other animal print you feel it resembles, and provides a slightly sweet taste.

So, the next time you’re passing through San Fran, make a beeline for the nearest bakery. Not just to grab me some sourdough (although, it really would be a kind gesture), but to check out a freshly baked Dutch crunch roll. You can get one, bring it back to your own hometown, and who knows? They may even elect you mayor because of it! Finally, a position to go with that big “MAYOR” sash you always wear for some reason!


About the Author

Joe Rumrill

Joe Rumrill is a fictional one-eyed spinach-loving sailor created in 1929 by E.C Se- Wait, no, that's not right... Joe Rumrill is a stand up comedian and writer currently based in Los Angeles. His favorite thing about food is a close tie between the taste and the nutrients one gets from it. His least favorite thing about it is the "gritty, dirt-like quality some food has", but he's most likely referring to the time in third grade he was dared to eat playground sand.

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