Artisan Baked Goods
Whether you're interested in making your own baked goods or just enjoying the delicious treats of others, you'll want to know more about this fast-growing industry. From the health benefits to the ingredients, these foods have a lot to offer.
Authenticity
Authenticity is one of the most important factors in the modern consumer's decision making process. With this in mind, the question arises: how can artisan baked goods be more authentic? In the baking industry, the best way to ensure the authenticity of your bread is to start with the right ingredients and produce your product with the utmost care and attention to detail.
A well-executed artisan bread recipe utilizes high quality ingredients including water, yeast, salt, and flour. Traditionally, this process was accomplished by hand. Today, though, technology has made the task easier. Moreover, many companies are opting for private labeling and can develop customized products to meet customer demand.
The artisanal process may sound a bit old-fashioned, but it actually uses the science behind chemical reactions. For instance, a sourdough starter produces open-cell structures in the dough, enabling a higher absorption of water. A combination of enzymes and emulsifiers improves the dough's extensibility, which helps prevent waste.
Ingredients
Unlike mass-produced supermarket bread, artisan baked goods are made from all-natural ingredients. Depending on the type of bread, it may contain specialty ingredients such as vegetables, black beans, or herbs. These are added to add flavor and texture.
The key difference between artisan and store-bought bread is the fermentation process. Generally, artisan bakers use yeasts, bacteria, and sour or ferment to leaven the dough. The longer the fermentation time, the more flavor the bread will have. During the process, wild yeasts and bacteria are incorporated into the dough from the air.
Mass-produced bread is typically made with large machines. This allows the baker to produce large quantities of bread quickly. Unfortunately, this sacrifices the quality of the product.
To produce a true artisan bread, a baker uses lower protein flours. These proteins are able to withstand the long fermentation period.
Shelf life
Keeping artisan baked goods fresh is a major concern for the food industry. The problem is that the quality of these products is influenced by several factors.
The best solution to extend the shelf life of baked goods is to use ingredients and processes that have a low impact on the quality of the final product. However, the quality of the finished product is usually a reflection of the raw materials.
The biggest challenge for the bakery industry is bacteria. These organisms can cause spoilage, as well as Salmonella outbreaks. Luckily, a number of natural preservation solutions exist.
For example, honey is a natural preservative that can help keep baked foods fresh. This ingredient helps reduce dryness, as well as crumbly textures.
Another key element to keeping baked foods fresh is water activity. A small amount of salt can have a large effect on water activity.
Health benefits
Unlike mass produced bread, artisan bread uses all natural ingredients. This makes it healthier. It also tastes better than store bought bread.
The benefits of artisan baked goods are many. From increased heart health to improved digestive systems, whole-grain bread has a lot to offer. In fact, it can be a great source of fiber. It may also help reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Artisan bread uses natural ingredients, such as organic, preservative-free, GMO-free and vegan products. This allows the company to stand out in the marketplace.
The relationship between the raw ingredients and the final product is important. This is because it affects the texture and the taste of the baked good.
The newest trend in baking is to incorporate functional ingredients into the food product. For instance, MEG-3(r) is a portfolio of marine-based Omega-3 products. This ingredient has been scientifically tested to ensure that it delivers brain, eye and heart health benefits.
Market size and forecast
Considering the increasing demand for packaged food and the growing health consciousness of the consumers, the global artisan bakery market is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR of 5.6% over the period of 2021 to 2030. The rise in health awareness, increase in vegetarianism and increasing consumption of organic food products are some of the key factors fuelling the artisan bakery market globally.