If you’ve ever picked up fresh, homemade bread from a bakery and compared it to the pre-sliced stuff from the supermarket, you know the truth: not all bread is created equal. This may be obvious when comparing bread of vastly different quality, but there’s a lot more to it than that.
Let’s Talk Quality
The term “artisan” may appear before or after foods in the same way that you see vaguely descriptive words like “fresh,” “craft,” or “real.” Each one is meant to represent the fact that a certain level of care or quality has gone into the product. This may be the case, however there are no restrictions or limitation on who can use these labels or how they are used. That means it is up to you as the consumer to dig a little deeper into what these labels mean for each product.
The word “artisan” means, to us, that we go above and beyond when supervising and assuring the quality of our bread products. From start to finish, we monitor our bread making to create the perfect quality and flavour. It takes a lot of attention to create quality products and “artisan” is the way we explain our dedication to this process.
The best method in the world won’t mean anything if you come out with a less-than-superior taste. You never want your food preparation to be all bark and no bite! This is why we double-down on flavour and make it an essential part of the process.
Artisanal techniques are just one way to achieve the best tasting bread. Like many crafts, what it comes down to is patience. If you want tons and tons of very “meh”-tasting bread, the Chorleywood Process uses plenty of chemicals and high-energy mixers to cater to quantity over quality. This is a very common method of mass-produced bread products.
On the other hand, a long fermentation development process allows for the bread to rise for up to 24 hours, which means that the enzymes react with the flour slowly and naturally, creating a robust texture and flavour.
Let’s Talk About Health
Artisan bread is actually much easier to digest because the gluten in the flour has already begun breaking down while exposed to the enzymes. Plus, bread that takes longer to produce will often have a longer shelf life, meaning you can take your time and savour it because it won’t go bad as quickly. Good bread, like many great things, is truly worth the wait.
Where To Get Artisan Bread
A Bread Affair is Vancouver’s favourite non-GMO, organic, artisan bakery located on Granville Island. We have over 18 different bread flavours and are known for our superior quality and attention to wholesome, healthy baking techniques. Customers come to us from all over the world to try our breads. We have loaves, sandwiches and baked goods and are always creating new flavour combinations. Visit our bakery and let us what you think!
FAQs
A BREAD AFFAIR was conceived by a passion for great bread. Our organic-certified artisan breads are lovingly made in small batches by the hands of our skilled artisan bakers, without preservatives, using slow fermentation to coax the flavours out of each and every loaf.
What is the difference between artesano bread and regular bread? ›
Artisan bread is thought to be a healthier option than store-bought bread. While there haven't been clinical studies to clearly define the differences, artisan bread is made from wholesome fresh ingredients whereas store-bought bread contains processed ingredients and preservatives to stretch the shelf life.
What is so special about artisan bread? ›
The main differences between a loaf of artisan bread and regularly manufactured bread are the ingredients and methods used to create the bread. Artisan bread uses cleaner, less processed ingredients and is often handmade, making each loaf unique.
What does "artisan bread" mean? ›
Unlike terms like sourdough or poolish or miche, artisan bread doesn't have an exact agreed-upon definition, but we — and much of the baking world — use it to describe bread made by hand and marked by traditional methods and craftsmanship.
Is artisan bread like sourdough bread? ›
Flour, water, salt and yeast are the key ingredients of most artisan breads - and a lack of chemical additives in its ingredients list is a sign that it is truly artisan. Sourdough breads may not even include yeast, as they rely on a culture for leavening instead.
Is artesano bread better than white bread? ›
Is Artisan Bread Healthier than White Bread? There have been studies showing that artisan bread (defined in the study as “bread that is produced using traditional methods and ingredients”) showed no difference nutritionally and the bread showed individual results.
Why is artesano bread so good? ›
With its rich flavor and distinctly creamy character, the flavors you love just taste better. Artesano® is always baked without artificial colors, flavors and preservatives and free from high fructose corn syrup.
Is artisan bread healthier than regular bread? ›
Blood Sugar Balance: Sourdough and some whole-grain artisan breads may have a lower glycemic index. This means less drastic blood sugar spikes and crashes compared to some white breads. The Clean Ingredient List: Artisanal breads boast simple ingredients: flour, water, yeast or a sourdough starter, and salt.
Why is artisan bread so expensive? ›
Factors including the quality of ingredients, labour-intensive production methods, smaller production scales, and the skill and expertise of the bakers influence the cost of artisan bread.
What is another name for artisan bread? ›
Also Known as Handmade Bread.
Bigger bakery‑style and artisan breads often have one slice per serving, and can contain upwards of 22 grams of carbs per slice. While you don't need to avoid these larger loaves, you may want to use one piece instead of two.
How do you eat artisan bread? ›
How to serve artisan bread. This is a breakfast, lunch, or dinner bread. Serve for breakfast with butter and jam alongside a nice omelet, or as a toasted pesto sandwich for lunch, or it accompanies almost any dinner meal. When serving with dinner I love to accompany it with a nice oil dip.
Why is artisan bread so popular? ›
Artisanal bread is definitely the way to go when it comes to freshness and deliciousness! Also known as "craft bread," artisanal breads use traditional methods that take time and care to produce. This includes fermenting dough with starter cultures and longer bulk fermentation times.
What is an example of artisan bread? ›
Artisan bread is handcrafted in small batches using simple, wholesome ingredients such as flour, water, yeast (Yeast is active or not?), and salt. True artisan bread takes a long time to make and is never mass-produced. Some examples of artisan bread include ciabatta, brioche, and focaccia.
Is artisan bread the same as brioche? ›
Brioche is a French bread with a fluffy interior, slightly sweet flavor, and shiny golden crust. It's made from an enriched dough, meaning it includes ingredients beyond the basic flour, salt, water, and yeast used to make white or artisan bread.
Is artisan bread better than regular bread? ›
Nutrient Powerhouse: Artisanal breads often utilize whole grains and organic flours, rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. This is in stark contrast to refined white flour, stripped of much of its nutritional value. A Happy Gut: Sourdough bread is a natural source of beneficial bacteria (probiotics).
What kind of bread is artesano? ›
Villaggio Artesano® Original White Bread is a soft, thick-sliced bread that embodies the tradition of European baking. The delicious, soft bread is made from quality ingredients and contains no artificial flavours or colours.
What is the healthiest bread than regular bread? ›
Some breads are more nutritious than others. To choose a beneficial bread, you can look for varieties made from 100% whole-grain and/or sprouted-grain flours. Make sure your bread is low in added sweeteners. A few good options include sourdough, rye, flax, and oat breads.
The best method in the world won’t mean anything if you come out with a less-than-superior taste. You never want your food preparation to be all bark and no bite! This is why we double-down on flavour and make it an essential part of the process.
Artisan bread is actually much easier to digest because the gluten in the flour has already begun breaking down while exposed to the enzymes. Plus, bread that takes longer to produce will often have a longer shelf life, meaning you can take your time and savour it because it won’t go bad as quickly. Good bread, like many great things, is truly worth the wait.