Passover week, of all times, is probably not the best time to share a few thoughts about bread, and yet I can’t stop my mind from drifting back to a few noteworthy loaves. Amid a sea of matzo, it makes perfect sense to find myself craving that yeast-risen crumb with a vengeance. Should anyone else find themselves struggling with similarly tempting thoughts, forgive me, for I am about to make that urge much harder to resist.
One Degree Organics talks a big game about sustainability, transparency, and of course, producing real food with real benefits. Unlike so many other companies where the words amount to merely talk, these principles are clearly visible in every step of the process. Their commitment to making a positive impact is admirable, but the most important contribution they make is one of good taste.
Offering a total of four varieties of bread, they each have incredible character completely unique to the unconventional grains and legumes employed. Legumes? Why yes, the Lentil Grain loaf is a prime example of just that, seamlessly blending red lentils into the soft yet sturdy slices. The resulting nutritional boost makes it incredibly satisfying, keeping me full much longer than the average bread. Better yet, the flavor is deep, complex, evocative of toasted wheat even when eaten cold. Delicious in its own right, it would be an easy way to slip lentils into the diet of a fussy eater; I would have never known if not for the label.
Utterly delicious!, the very first of my tasting notes so helpfully reads. Needless to say, the Sesame Sunflower bread made a positive impression immediately upon the initial bite. Toothsome, sprinkled with impeccably fresh sunflower seeds, nutty sesame flavor sings harmony all throughout the even crumb. A stronger yeast flavor compliments the more assertive additions. Every bite is just a little bit different, adding excitement to what might be otherwise unremarkable meals.
For those craving a more traditional wheat profile, the Ancient Whole Wheat loaf is the way to go. Bearing a subtle sweetness thanks to the invisible addition of raisins, it’s a remarkably well-balanced bread, wholesome and hearty but still soft, undeniably easy to eat. An excellent all-purpose loaf, it seems to play nicely with just about everything. The mellow wheat flavor pairs beautifully with all manner of sandwich fillings or toppings both sweet and savory.
As if it could really get any better, I saved my favorite for last. By my estimation, the Flax & Spelt would be the lovechild of hearty whole wheat and and wild seeded loaves, sharing only the best characteristics of each. A close cousin to the wheat we know today, spelt bears the same familiar flavor, but this particular yeasted permutation is dotted liberally with an abundance of flax seeds. Small but mighty, these square slices are denser than the rest, yielding a sturdy chew and springy texture all at once.
No matter which slice from One Degree Organics you choose, the only way you could go wrong is to serve it up during Passover. I know I’m counting the days, if not the hours, until the toaster can roar back to life…
I heart this post! the breads are so gorgeous! i havent made a lentil mixed bread in a loooong while. red lentils in a loaf are next!
I must try this bread my friend, it looks pretty genius :D
Cheers
CCU
Oh I love these breads!
Lentil, sesame or flax and spelt? Hand me a knife and some sandwich fillings, I want to tuck in!
These need vegemite.
Oh Hannah they all look good but the addition of lentil and of course one of my favorite breads is black sesame. Yum!
oh wow, these all look fabulous. i’m intrigued by the lentil loaf!
It’s funny you did a post on this because my dad just gifted me a loaf of the Lentil Loaf! He was visiting Toronto, stopped by a whole foods and found it! I have been loving it!
[…] made a bread with leftover split pea stew(sambhar buns) long long ago and when I saw One Degree Oragnic’s lentil grain bread at Hannah’s, I thought I should re-do lentils in yeast bread.:) This Lentil Wheat bread has quick cooking […]
[…] una pan con sobras de estofado de guisantes partidos (bollos sambhar) hace mucho tiempo y cuando vi Pan de grano de lentejas de One Degree Oragnic en Hannah’sPensé que debería volver a hacer lentejas en pan de levadura. 🙂 Este pan de trigo con lentejas […]