Soda bread--bitter / burnt taste?

I once had some home-made soda bread and it had this burnt / bitter taste, and I just assumed that too much baking soda got put in by accident.  I made some myself (I'll post the recipe if needed) and followed the recipe correctly, but it also had that same taste.  It's not nice--is there any way to make a soda bread that tastes nice?

Hmm.  Your posts on soda bread have made me concerned about making it for us.  Mr. A. hates anything even remotely bitter, so I will be interested in any tips that people might give to avoid the bitterness.

I was going to make some savoury quick bread today because Mr. A. has scoffed up all the yeast bread I made yesterday, but I might hold off on that and knead some dough again today.

Hmm.  Your posts on soda bread have made me concerned about making it for us.  Mr. A. hates anything even remotely bitter, so I will be interested in any tips that people might give to avoid the bitterness.

I was going to make some savoury quick bread today because Mr. A. has scoffed up all the yeast bread I made yesterday, but I might hold off on that and knead some dough again today.

Maybe if you're making a savoury bread all the other ingredients in it will cover up the bitter taste?  But yeah, interested to hear some tips!

I think soda bread is meant to be somewhat, er, soda tasting. I like the slightly bitter taste, it sets off butter beautifully. Having said that, I would be very careful with my soda quantity. No more than 1 teaspoon each of baking powder and baking soda for 3 cups of flour, and 1 cup of buttermilk or sour milk.

I think soda bread is meant to be somewhat, er, soda tasting. I like the slightly bitter taste, it sets off butter beautifully. Having said that, I would be very careful with my soda quantity. No more than 1 teaspoon each of baking powder and baking soda for 3 cups of flour, and 1 cup of buttermilk or sour milk.

Thanks Tremula!  My recipe was 3 cups of flour and 3 tsp baking soda, but I will make it again and make double sure of my amounts.  I made mine with just regular whole milk and not buttermilk or sour milk.  I wonder if that made a difference in the bitter taste?

I think the whole milk may make a difference.  If you don't have buttermilk to hand could you add some vinegar to the whole milk?

I think the whole milk may make a difference.  If you don't have buttermilk to hand could you add some vinegar to the whole milk?

Thanks Red5.  I think buttermilk is hard to find in the UK.  I'll look for some though, but if I can't find it, I'll google the best way to make sour milk.  The recipe I used was actually a vegan one (it called for soy or rice milk), but I un-veganized it.

If you're not crazy about the taste of soda bread, but you're looking for a similar quick bread, you could give beer bread a try:

3 cups flour (self-rising, or add baking powder to other flour)
2 T. sugar
1 bottle of beer (12 fl. oz.)

Mix & bake at 375 (F).  If you bake it in a loaf tin, you can melt half a stick of butter and pour over the dough before baking.  Baking times vary, but usually about 45 minutes.

The recipe is really flexible;  you can use virtually any combination of flour, sweetener and beer/ale.  The taste can vary quite a bit depending on the ingredients used.  I'd recommend starting with plan white flour & fairly mild-tasting lager.

Thanks Red5.  I think buttermilk is hard to find in the UK.  I'll look for some though, but if I can't find it, I'll google the best way to make sour milk.  The recipe I used was actually a vegan one (it called for soy or rice milk), but I un-veganized it.

You can usually find buttermilk with the cream in a little container. I've bought it in most groceries (Tesco, Sainburys, and Waitrose).  I bake a lot of cornbread so usually have 2 or three containers in the fridge.   

You can usually find buttermilk with the cream in a little container. I've bought it in most groceries (Tesco, Sainburys, and Waitrose).  I bake a lot of cornbread so usually have 2 or three containers in the fridge.   

Thanks Red5--which look more closely, by the cream next time!

Here is a pic...
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Fresh_Milk/St_Ivel_Cultured_Buttermilk_284ml.html

Here is a pic...
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-price-comparison/Fresh_Milk/St_Ivel_Cultured_Buttermilk_284ml.html

Thank you!   

My Tesco also has a big bottle of Buttermilk in the Polish section.