What Is Sprouted Bread?
Sprouted Bread is bread that is made with grains or seeds that have been sprouted, optimizing the bread’s overall nutritional index and digestibility. Traditionally with sprouted bread, grains or seeds are soaked in water for 12 to 38 hours, and kept slightly warm, between 59 and 89 F°. In turn, this process allows germination to begin, and the plants are rinsed with clean water daily as they sprout. Once the seeds have grown little root tails almost the same length as they are, they are ready to be ground into a paste that works as the base for sprouted bread. Overall, the process of sprouting seeds or grains creates a living dough that is much healthier than bread made from inert wheat berries.
At PACHA, we are proud to sprout 100% certified organic buckwheat seeds to craft our delicious varieties of buckwheat bread. We soak our buckwheat seeds for over 24 hours, blend them with organic herbs and spices, and ferment our sprouted bread for another 18 hours. On top of this, we don’t use yeast or any kind of starter... we simply let the wild yeast that is already on the seeds do all the work.
So Why Is Sprouted Bread Better?
Although it may seem like quite the process to make sprouted bread, we believe it is totally worth going the extra mile! Sprouted Bread is healthier bread all around— because sprouted breads are made from a variety of whole grains and seeds, they are much more nutrient-dense than traditional breads filled with flours, binders, gums, and more. The sprouting process also breaks down starches, carbohydrates and proteins, making sprouted bread easier to digest, and making the nutrients in it more bioavailable to our bodies.
Sprouted breads also have the lowest glycemic index of any type of bread, causing it to balance blood sugar. Our star ingredient, buckwheat, is especially known for being absorbed slowly and steadily throughout the digestive process, in turn stabilizing blood sugar. This makes PACHA buckwheat bread a wonderful option for anyone with high blood sugar or diabetes.
Because of the way seeds absorb water during the sprouting process, sprouted bread is also lower in calories and carbs than other bread varieties. So if you are looking to incorporate healthy products into your life to supplement weight loss, adding sprouted bread to your diet could be highly effective!
Sprouted bread is also higher in protein overall, coming in at around 15 grams per serving, compared to around 11 grams generally found in other breads. Sprouting bread increases overall fiber content too, as well as folate, beta carotene, and vitamin B, C, and E levels. Since fiber helps regulate blood sugar and prevents constipation, sprouted bread is ideal for anyone looking to ease their digestion. Additionally, Vitamin B helps the body convert food into energy and keeps cells healthy; beta carotene, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are powerful antioxidants, which protect cells from all sorts of cancer causing molecules and help us fend off many kinds of chronic illness.
While sprouting can increase all sorts of amazing nutrients in bread, it also has the power to decrease some of the less desirable factors of traditional loaves. One example of this is the presence of phytic acid— a substance that naturally occurs in many plants, and has the unfortunate tendency to block bodily absorption of calcium, zinc and iron. However, when bread is sprouted, phytic acid is shed from seeds and grains, increasing the body's ability to make use of the nutrients it is given.
As you can see, sprouted bread has an abundance of health benefits, while tasting fantastic as well!
PACHA Sprouted Bread is also Gluten-Free!
It is important to note that sprouted bread is not always necessarily gluten-free bread. While traditional sprouted breads have around 50% less gluten than traditional breads, for those who are gluten-intolerant, 50% is definitely not enough. Luckily for anyone that falls under this category, our sprouted bread is 100% certified gluten-free by the GFCO, vegan, GMO-free, grain-free, and so much more. Our breads are made in a dedicated facility that only uses certified gluten free ingredients. and all of our products are safe for people with Celiac, gluten sensitivity, IBS or wheat allergies. You can learn all about our commitment to making safe, healthy, and delicious gluten-free bread here.
Wait, But Isn’t Buckwheat A Grain?
Despite its name, buckwheat is not a wheat berry, and does not contain any gluten. In fact, buckwheat is not a grain at all, it is actually a seed. Buckwheat is harvested from a flowering plant that shares characteristics with rhubarb and sorrel. The seeds behave very similarly to grain in the kitchen, which is why it’s such a perfect wheat substitute, especially for bread. Many people consider buckwheat to be a superfood, as it is an excellent source of magnesium, manganese, and copper, and has been shown to be great for heart health. Check out our blog post all about the magic of buckwheat here!
How Long Does Sprouted Bread Last?
Sprouted bread is a living bread. We don’t use any weird preservatives at all, which means our bread should be refrigerated or frozen until you are ready to use it. PACHA bread can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, and can be kept frozen for up to 2 years. You can learn more about our bread care tips here.
In Closing…
At PACHA, we love making bread that everyone can enjoy and benefit from. By sprouting our bread and using highly nutritious, gluten-free ingredients, PACHA bread will leave your body happy and nourished every time. Not to mention, by enjoying PACHA sprouted bread, you are supporting the planet as well— you can read about our regenerative agriculture mission here.
We hope you find our bread as delicious and health-affirming as we do. You can check out all our different flavors here! Also, we recommend checking out some of our mouthwatering recipes using PACHA bread, such as our PACHA Bruschetta, Gluten-Free Sourdough Croutons, and Buckwheat French Toast.
Cheers to sprouted bread!