​Difference between artisan and non-artisan bread and tips to make preservative free bread | The Times of India (2024)

All the food that we consume determines our health, the frequency of falling ill and most importantly how we are going to age the problems we face then. A healthy and balanced diet is something we just can’t ignore. One of the aspects of eating healthy means eating fresh and also eating natural. A product like bread which is a daily consumable must be natural and without preservatives. Consumption of unrequired chemicals is eventually damaging our health.

Bread making is a time consuming task but not very difficult to make at home. Identify a baker or a recipe book you usually like using and follow their recipe to the T. Due to weather and raw material conditions the product may vary. In my opinion, when you bake bread one should look out for signs like a window test, does it wobble after proving the volume of the dough rather than the time of mixing and proving.

Handcrafted is the definition of artisan. Each handcrafted item qualifies as an artisanal creation. The term "artisan" can also refer to something that is prepared with high-quality, natural components, is new, and is produced in limited quantities. Non-artisan breads, on the other hand, are baked using preservatives and less-than-fresh ingredients. Non-artisan breads also fall short in the health department.

Generally mass breads tend to use flour treatment agents, emulsifiers and calcium propionate as preservatives. For artisan breads, only a simple yeast can work as magic. For artisan breads- four ingredients — flour, water, salt & yeast — and the magic of microorganisms literally out of thin air, sets the premise for bread that is gentle on the gut and an excellent metabolism booster.

Inputs shared by Ms. Aditi Handa, Co-founder & Head Chef, The Baker's Dozen