We can agree to disagree on some of this. I never said that American soda bread was like barm because it used yeast. It’s like barn because Americans put so much shit into it like it’s a Christmas fruit cake. Traditional Irish soda bread is plain. Maybe has some raisins…MAYBE…to your point if it was a special occasion or a holiday. But soda bread is meant to be plain and fairly neutral in its flavor. It should’ve a hearty and dense loaf to be used for sopping gravy and stews.
Here in the states “Irish soda bread” is routinely soft and slightly airy. It is filed with all sorts of fruits and covered in seeds. Which is more like a bram. At least in my family anyway.
And I concur on the brown part because I love brown bread which is different here but a descendant of soda bread.
