Who is this choice for?

Older people with a small appetite

When someone’s appetite wanes, a brioche they enjoy can make a welcome afternoon treat, without replacing a varied diet. Manger Bouger recommends speaking to a doctor about unexpected weight loss.

Older people who find chewing difficult

Texture and portion size are important when choosing. However, even a soft brioche is still a solid food. If someone has difficulty swallowing or is at risk of choking, ask a healthcare professional for advice. L’Assurance Maladie highlights the risks associated with swallowing difficulties.

People comparing recipes

If sourdough, sugars or fibre are influencing your purchase, compare the ingredients and nutritional values of the specific products. The recipes listed by Brioche Pasquier and Harrys show why a claim on the front of the pack is no substitute for reading the label.

What should you check before buying?

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
Appetite and portion size Choose a portion the person will enjoy and check the nutritional values per portion. If the person doesn’t eat much, I look for an afternoon treat they’ll want to have, without relying on brioche to replace meals. Around 45% of consumers prioritise appetite and enjoyment.
Texture and chewing Check the texture and how easy it is to portion. If someone has difficulty swallowing, seek professional advice. When chewing becomes difficult, I want to be able to serve a piece that’s right for the person. Ease of chewing and serving is a priority for around 33% of consumers.
Recipe and label Read the ingredients and allergen information. Compare the sugars and fibre per 100 g, as well as the storage instructions. If I’m looking for sourdough or comparing different recipes, I need to know exactly what each brioche contains. Ingredients and labelling come first for around 22% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming ‘sourdough’ means ‘yeast-free’

    Brioche Pasquier’s Brioche Tranchée Nature contains both 8% sourdough starter and yeast. So this claim alone doesn’t tell you everything about the recipe or how it’s made.

    If sourdough is one of the reasons for your choice, check the rest of the ingredients list too.

  • Choosing ‘less sugar’ without checking the portion size

    The comparisons shown by Brioche Pasquier and Harrys are based on products defined by the brands. They don’t tell you how much sugar is in the portion you serve.

    Compare the sugar content per 100 g, then consider the amount actually served at afternoon tea.

  • Serving a soft brioche despite swallowing difficulties

    Soft or not, brioche is still a solid food. L’Assurance Maladie warns that swallowing difficulties can increase the risk of choking.

    If the person coughs while eating, chokes or already follows texture guidelines, ask a healthcare professional for advice before serving them brioche.

  • Overlooking allergens and storage instructions

    The recipes listed by Brioche Pasquier and Carrefour Traiteur include ingredients such as wheat, eggs and dairy. Ingredients vary from one product to another.

    Check the allergens on the packaging and follow the use-by date and storage instructions, including after opening.

Brands to compare

Brioche Pasquier

Its products let you compare a sourdough brioche with a sliced brioche marketed as lower in sugar.

  • Brioche Tranchée Nature contains 8% sourdough starter, according to its recipe.
  • This recipe also contains yeast, so check the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose.

Harrys

The brand offers sliced wholemeal and lower-sugar brioches, which you can compare based on your preferred texture and recipe.

  • Harrys describes its sliced wholemeal brioche as a ‘source of fibre’.
  • For its lower-sugar product, the brand’s comparison is based on the average for plain sliced brioches, calculated in the second quarter of 2022. Check the nutritional values of the product you buy.

Carrefour Traiteur

Its sliced, braided all-butter brioche is a different recipe to compare with sourdough or lower-sugar versions.

  • The product information lists 12% butter and 364 kcal per 100 g.
  • These figures apply to this specific brioche, not to all the brioches sold by Carrefour Traiteur.

Epi d’Or (Marque Repère / E.Leclerc)

E.Leclerc offers, among other products, a 500 g Epi d’Or sliced brioche, which may be useful if size is a deciding factor.

  • Before buying, check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information for the specific product.

Auchan

Auchan is a retailer here: its listing for an organic braided sourdough brioche is for a Brioche Pasquier recipe.

  • The product information lists both sourdough starter and yeast.
  • Don’t confuse the retailer with the manufacturer. Check the label of the brioche you choose for its exact ingredients.

An all-butter brioche on Joybuy

This all-butter brioche gives you another recipe to consider for afternoon tea. If you’re specifically looking for sourdough, check the ingredients list for sourdough starter before choosing.

ERHARD all-butter brioche 280 g

ERHARD All-butter brioche 280 g

An option for anyone looking to compare an all-butter brioche for afternoon tea. The pack is listed as 280 g; check the packaging for ingredients, allergens and texture before deciding how much to serve.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a ‘sourdough’ brioche always yeast-free?

No. Brioche Pasquier’s Brioche Tranchée Nature contains 8% sourdough starter as well as yeast. If this distinction matters to you, check the ingredients list before buying. Sourdough starter alone also doesn’t prove that a brioche was made using traditional methods.

Is brioche enough for afternoon tea for an older person with a small appetite?

Don’t rely on brioche alone to address reduced food intake or weight loss. Information from Manger Bouger and the Pour les personnes âgées portal highlights the importance of a varied diet for older people. If their weight is dropping unexpectedly, speak to a doctor.

Is soft brioche suitable for someone who has difficulty swallowing?

Not necessarily: it’s still a solid food. L’Assurance Maladie says that swallowing difficulties can increase the risk of choking. Ask a healthcare professional for advice before changing a prescribed texture or serving brioche to someone with swallowing difficulties.

What should you check on the packaging before serving brioche?

Check the ingredients and allergens for the product you bought, then look at the nutritional information if you’re comparing different recipes. Also check the date and storage instructions, especially what to do after opening.