BOULDER, COLO. — Rudi’s Organic Bakery’s 100% Whole Wheat Buns took home the top honor in a recent survey of eight whole wheat hamburger buns conducted by the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen. The test kitchen is part of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, which is the product-evaluation laboratory of Good Housekeeping magazine, with a staff of scientists, engineers, nutritionists, and researchers dedicated to evaluating and testing products.

According to Good Housekeeping, taste testers appreciated Rudi’s buns for their “real whole wheat flavor.” While some found the buns a bit dense, Good Housekeeping said most enjoyed the buns “pleasantly hearty heft.”

Good Housekeeping awarded honorable mention to Trader Joe’s Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns.

“For those who crave a more classic hamburger bun, these buns fill the bill,” Good Housekeeping said of Trader Joe’s buns. “With a generous sprinkling of sesame seeds on top, these soft buns were a big hit for their ‘nutty flavor’ and ‘light’ texture.”

Rounding out the survey, with taste testers comments were:

• Arnold Select Wheat Sandwich Rolls — Overall, participants enjoyed the “soft and fluffy” texture of these rolls, but found them to be lacking in flavor.
• Nature's Own 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Rolls — Tasters agreed that the flakes of bran atop these sandwich rolls were a nice touch; however, some detected a slight bitterness in the flavor.
• Oroweat 100% Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns — Tasters’ opinions about these hamburger buns were split: some enjoyed the sweet “traditional wheat” flavor, while others found them to be “dry” and “too doughy.”
• Pepperidge Farm Classic Soft 100% Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns — While one taster was disappointed that you “can’t taste the wheat,” some tasters enjoyed the subtle flavor and soft texture of these buns.
• Sara Lee Hearty and Delicious All-Natural 100% Whole Wheat Bakery Buns — These buns received some high marks for their chewy, yet fluffy texture, but most participants found their flavor too sweet and “unmemorable.”
• Sara Lee Soft and Smooth Wheat Hamburger Buns — Tasters disliked the “slightly bitter aftertaste” of these buns and “super soft” texture that was “like white bread.”