Are someone who loves all things craft? If so, you aren’t alone. From handmade soaps and candles to craft beer and artisan bread baking, there seems to be a wave of demand for these types of product. Everyone has different reasons for enjoying craft or artisanal products, but for many the reason is simply that it is produced in small batches by someone who is passionate about the product. One of the craft products that is really taking off is bread, and bakeries all across the country are capitalizing on the popularity. Here are a few things you should know about this delicious industry:
1. The Basics of Bread – According to historians, bread baking has been around for more than 30,000 years and Egyptians were the first civilization on record to use a sourdough recipe. Bread, in its simplest form, is simply a mix of flour, water, some type of sweetener (honey or sugar are most common), and yeast. The beauty of this product is that so many variations can be made to change the flavor, look, and feel which makes each creation unique.
2. Quality Bread – So what sets artisanal bread apart from the products of other, mass produced manufacturers? One thing is that in many cases these craft bakeries are making bread baked with local ingredients. Locally sourced ingredients not only add to the uniqueness of the product, but they increase the sustainability efforts of the community. For instance, bakers know that wheat flour is the most popular flour used in bread baking so working with local wheat farmers to cultivate a specific flour that would make their bread the best it can be.
3. Daily Bread Delivery – Another huge perk of craft bread baking is the fact that it is small batch, and in many cases is delivered fresh to local stores in the community on the day that it is baked. Everyone loves fresh bread! These small, local bakers can cultivate relationships this way and also make a huge mark in their community.
There is a reason that so many people are drawn to craft products: they are made by beautifully talented and passionate people who want to share their art with the world. From bread baking to candle making and craft brewing – there is something special about the world of artisanal products. Which one will you indulge in this week?