Organic Food – Organic Bread

Why Choose Organic Bread?
Mass produced breads usually contain more additives than you might imagine because they help to reduce the time needed to make bread. The additives can come in the shape of bleaching agents, preservatives and colouring, and there are always concerns about the potential side-effects of these man-made artificial additives.

Besides additives, bread may likely to contain agro-chemicals from its ingredients. High-fibre bread is the most likely type of bread to contain pesticide residues because they can collect in the grain's outer layers.

To avoid these nasty ingredients, you should look for organic or traditionally made breads.

Benefits of Organic Bread
Organically baked bread is the natural alternative for people who care about their health and the environment. It is made from flour milled exclusively from organic grain and contains none of the various dough improvers and additives that are widely used in many mass produced breads.

The term "organic" refers to the manner in which the wheat has been farmed and turned into flour and bread. Organic farming uses more natural methods of treating the land during the farming cycle. And more importantly, it does not use artificial fertilizers and restricts applications of pesticides, insecticides or herbicides.

Nowadays, most organic bead bakers do not even use yeast, they prefer to allow the bread to rise on its own. Although it takes much longer, bread without yeast is much easier to digest because it contains lactobacillus, a Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium that produces lactic acid essential for good digestion.

In addition to being yeast free, more and more the organic breads are dairy free as well, making them ideal for those who are lactose intolerant or following a strict vegetarian diet.

Does Organic Bread Taste Better?
Organic breads should not be substantially different from non-organic ones. In fact, people who have tried organic breads, find that they generally taste better mainly due to the purity of the ingredients. Commercial bread makers tend to simplify and speed up the bread making process that unfortunately, have caused the bread to lose its rich texture and nutrients.

I believe many people are likely to think that fresh bread must be soft, but the truth is exactly the opposite. Preservatives and additives make breads soft. Organic bread or traditional bread should feel firm when touched. So, if you come upon a loaf of bread that is soft, there is a high chance that it is filled with preservatives and additives.

Organic Bread Ingredients
All organic baked goods shall contain 95% or more certified organic ingredients. Only a few natural baking aids, such as vitamin C, calcium carbonate and raising agents are allowed. No hydrogenated fats or genetically modified ingredients are permitted. Sometimes, refined white sugar, artificial additives or dough improvers may be used.

Organic Breads Easily Available
Organic breads can be found at most local health stores. In fact, nowadays, the standard supermarket organic bread is made to be more like a traditional loaf, and may contain organic soya flour, fat or sugar, or added vitamin C.

While mass-produced or processed breads are much simpler to make and cost lesser, organic breads take more time to bake, but the taste and health benefits definitely outweigh the convenience and cheaper cost.

Making Your Own Organic Bread
Perhaps you might want to have a go at making your own at home. There is organic pre-mixed bread flour available which contains wheat flour, butter, shortening, sugar, milk powder, etc. This flour mix is ready to be baked because it already contains all the essential ingredients necessary to bake bread.

To further simplify the making process, you can even use a bread-making machine which is really easy to use. Just throw the ingredients in and turn it on. That's it, you have your own home-made bread.

Let's Learn & Experience Organics for Better Personal Health & Our Planet Wellness