brioche
Brioche is a type of French bread characterized by a high egg and butter content, which gives it a rich, golden, and incredibly tender crumb. Imagine a loaf that sits somewhere between a standard sandwich bread and a delicate pastry; it is pillowy, slightly sweet, and has a signature dark, shiny crust. In culinary contexts, it is the gold standard for gourmet burgers, French toast, or bread pudding because its high fat content prevents it from getting soggy. It is considered a luxurious staple in bakeries and is almost always associated with indulgence or a "treat yourself" breakfast.
In conversation
Deciding on lunch
Should we grab a burger at that new spot?
Should we grab a burger at that new spot?
Only if they use a brioche bun. I can't do regular white bread.
Only if they use a brioche bun. I can't do regular white bread.
Brioche is commonly used as a shorthand for 'high quality' when talking about burger buns.
At a bakery
Is this loaf fresh?
Is this loaf fresh?
Just came out of the oven. It's a classic brioche, very buttery.
Just came out of the oven. It's a classic brioche, very buttery.
Buttery is the most common adjective paired with brioche.
Examples
I bought a loaf of brioche for breakfast.
I bought a loaf of brioche for breakfast.
The chef toasted the brioche slices until they were golden brown.
The chef toasted the brioche slices until they were golden brown.
The richness of the brioche dough perfectly balances the savory profile of the foie gras.
The richness of the brioche dough perfectly balances the savory profile of the foie gras.
