Ancient and heirloom grains are popping up everywhere. While there is plenty of variety and benefits, which ones are hot in the baking industry right now? And what can they offer to products and labels? On this episode I talk with two experts in the field of ancient grains to learn more about this trend. [...]
Artisan bread and products are flying off the shelves. Why this interest in artisan style baking, and how can you get involved—or do it better? To help sort through this trend, I bring in a few artisan experts to answer some questions. First off, some visitors from Ardent Mills: Abbey Heikes in specialty sales [...]
Gluten-free Certification What is Gluten-free Certification? Gluten-free certification is a document which indicates the successful meeting and implementation of a certain set of criteria established by a third-party certification (TPC) agency/body regarding the manufacture of “free-from-gluten-products.” The process involves the completion of a series of plant audits and laboratory data analysis. An [...]
Have you ever looked into the history or background of different ingredients? There are some interesting stories—the kind of stories your customers like to hear and that add value to a brand. Like the ancient grain freekeh. Freekeh is fire roasted green wheat with a smoky and nutty flavor. It dates back to 2300 B.C. Levantine [...]
If you’re looking for the baking trend of the future, try looking back—way back. With consumers on the lookout for healthy, natural, sustainable products, the baking industry is finding innovative solutions through ancient grains. There’s no denying the weight clean label products and functional food carries with the public these days. Millennials are driving a [...]
If there’s anything we’ve learned over the last few years, it’s that baking with the usual wheat flour isn’t the only option. With the popularity of clean label, functional food and ancient grains, we’re getting better at expanding our horizons when it comes to grains and flours. One to try: barley A few highlights of this [...]
Grain-based Flours What are Grain-based Flours? Grain-based flours are powders produced by reducing grains to small particle sizes. They are used primarily for making breads, cookies, cakes, pastries and other baked goods. Grain flours are commercially-available in two main forms: Whole flours which contain the grain’s endosperm, germ and bran fractions Refined [...]
High Protein Bread What is High Protein Bread? High protein bread has been formulated and processed to comply with food labeling requirements for the nutrient content claims of:1,2 “High in protein” “Rich in protein” “Excellent source of protein” This claim requires that the finished product contains at least 20% protein per reference [...]
Ancient Grains What are Ancient Grains? Ancient grains is an umbrella term for grains and pseudocereals not bred or genetically manipulated for many centuries. Consumer interest in “natural” and non-hybridized grains and cereals continues fueling demand for these grains.2 Some producers in the Americas eschew the “ancient” label since these grains have been [...]
Fonio What is Fonio? Fonio, one of many types of grains and pseudocereals referred to as ancient grains, has West African origins. It is touted for its nutritional profile and lack of gluten, which makes it an attractive baking ingredient, particularly for breads and snacks. However, some experts say more research is [...]
