Is your favourite garlic bread now 'dry and hard'? Woolworths faces backlash over new recipe change
- Replies 7
While we are always eager to embrace the positive changes life brings, we understand that there are some things you simply do not tamper with, such as comfort food.
On this occasion, we’re talking about that classic, go-to essential: garlic bread.
The familiar, nostalgic whiff of garlic roasting in the oven, inviting aromas of fresh bread and melted butter all mingling together...It's no wonder garlic bread occupies a special place in our hearts (or should we say, stomach).
So, when Woolworths decided to tinker around with the recipe for its beloved Essentials range garlic bread, well...you bet it sparked more backlash than gratitude.
'Change is good,' we've all heard it said—and sometimes it is, but not always. When long-time customers found their beloved cheap-and-cheerful, handy side dish turning into something of a gourmet kitchen nightmare, they didn't bite their tongues.
They took to social media, venting their frustrations loudly and to anyone who would listen. Worse still, the supermarket giant allegedly raised the price by 30c. This move came as a double-blow, considering the financial strain many Aussies are already dealing with.
The accusations claimed the supermarket's new bread is 'dry and hard like a stale baguette'. A Sydney mum even informed the Daily Mail Australia that her previously 'garlic-bread-obsessed four-year-old' rejected the new recipe.
'Feeling cheated by this @woolworths_SA garlic bread,' one customer lamented on social media, sharing alongside their protest, a forlorn-looking photo of a bland slice of bread dabbed with a smudge of garlic butter.
Another aggrieved buyer remonstrated, '@woolworths why did you ruin your Garlic bread? Lost this family.'
But the backlash didn’t stop there. Some shoppers also took their grievances onto various product review sites.
One customer shared their disappointment by stating, 'This used to be our favourite garlic bread; super buttery and delicious. But now, it's sold under [the] 'global bakehouse' [brand] and is nowhere near as good.'
While we can't take sides (we're all about fair and balanced reporting, after all), it’s clear that these changes haven't sat well with the many scores of Woolworths' garlic bread fans.
At the SDC, we always advise our members to make their voices heard. If a product doesn't meet the standards you expect or are used to, let the retailer know.
Each of us should take this as a reminder of the power we hold as consumers, and the potential sway we can hold over the products and services we love. Remember, you may just be one social media post away from bringing back your favourite snack.
Of course we’d be remiss if we didn’t include a recipe for DIY garlic bread, especially if you’ll no longer be buying the one at Woolies, so read on…
Ingredients:
-1 loaf of fresh bread (a baguette or a nice crusty loaf is ideal)
-150g unsalted butter, softened
- 4-5 garlic cloves, finely chopped or crushed
- A handful of fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste (optional)
- A pinch of dried mixed herbs (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for a cheesy garlic bread)
Instructions:
On this occasion, we’re talking about that classic, go-to essential: garlic bread.
The familiar, nostalgic whiff of garlic roasting in the oven, inviting aromas of fresh bread and melted butter all mingling together...It's no wonder garlic bread occupies a special place in our hearts (or should we say, stomach).
So, when Woolworths decided to tinker around with the recipe for its beloved Essentials range garlic bread, well...you bet it sparked more backlash than gratitude.
'Change is good,' we've all heard it said—and sometimes it is, but not always. When long-time customers found their beloved cheap-and-cheerful, handy side dish turning into something of a gourmet kitchen nightmare, they didn't bite their tongues.
Woolies customers have been up in arms after a price increase and recipe change on their beloved garlic bread. Image by waldemarbrandt67w from unsplash
They took to social media, venting their frustrations loudly and to anyone who would listen. Worse still, the supermarket giant allegedly raised the price by 30c. This move came as a double-blow, considering the financial strain many Aussies are already dealing with.
The accusations claimed the supermarket's new bread is 'dry and hard like a stale baguette'. A Sydney mum even informed the Daily Mail Australia that her previously 'garlic-bread-obsessed four-year-old' rejected the new recipe.
'Feeling cheated by this @woolworths_SA garlic bread,' one customer lamented on social media, sharing alongside their protest, a forlorn-looking photo of a bland slice of bread dabbed with a smudge of garlic butter.
Another aggrieved buyer remonstrated, '@woolworths why did you ruin your Garlic bread? Lost this family.'
But the backlash didn’t stop there. Some shoppers also took their grievances onto various product review sites.
One customer shared their disappointment by stating, 'This used to be our favourite garlic bread; super buttery and delicious. But now, it's sold under [the] 'global bakehouse' [brand] and is nowhere near as good.'
While we can't take sides (we're all about fair and balanced reporting, after all), it’s clear that these changes haven't sat well with the many scores of Woolworths' garlic bread fans.
At the SDC, we always advise our members to make their voices heard. If a product doesn't meet the standards you expect or are used to, let the retailer know.
Each of us should take this as a reminder of the power we hold as consumers, and the potential sway we can hold over the products and services we love. Remember, you may just be one social media post away from bringing back your favourite snack.
Of course we’d be remiss if we didn’t include a recipe for DIY garlic bread, especially if you’ll no longer be buying the one at Woolies, so read on…
Ingredients:
-1 loaf of fresh bread (a baguette or a nice crusty loaf is ideal)
-150g unsalted butter, softened
- 4-5 garlic cloves, finely chopped or crushed
- A handful of fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste (optional)
- A pinch of dried mixed herbs (optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for a cheesy garlic bread)
Instructions:
- Prep your oven: Preheat it to about 180°C (fan-forced). If you're not using a fan-forced oven, you might want to crank it up to 200°C.
- Butter mix: In a mixing bowl, chuck in the softened butter, crushed garlic, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt and mixed herbs (if you're using them). Give it a good mix until it's all combined.
- Prep the bread: Slice the bread into thick slices, but don’t go all the way through – you want to leave a little bit attached at the bottom so it holds together.
- Spread the goodness: Slather that garlicky butter mix generously between the slices. If you're going for the cheesy version, sprinkle a bit of Parmesan in there too.
- Wrap and bake: Grab some alfoil and wrap the loaf up. Pop it in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes. If you like your garlic bread a bit crispy, you can open the foil and bake for another 5 minutes or so.
- Serve up: Once it's done, pull it out of the oven and let it cool for a mo. Then, dig in and enjoy!
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