These are a few questions that we often hear from customers. If you have a question that is not answered here, feel free to contact us!
What is sourdough bread?
While the store-bought bread you might be more familiar with is mostly made using commercial yeast, sourdough bread is made with a "wild" yeast. Bread takes longer to rise when this sourdough starter is used, but as it does its work, more flavor is developed in the bread. This is the "sour" difference that you taste when you eat sourdough bread. We should note that our sourdough is generally milder than other sourdough breads you may have had, so if you think that sourdough is not for you, you could go ahead and give ours a try.
Can I order your products online?
Currently, our products are only available for purchase directly at the farmers market. We are at the Memorial Villages Farmers Market (10840 Beinhorn) every Saturday from 9am to 1pm. We do accept pre-orders and special orders. Just use our contact form through the link above or send us an email.
Are your products gluten-free?
As we often say at the market: we're a gluten-based business! All of our products contain traditional flours, so they are not gluten-free. We are always working on new products though, so there is always the possibility of a new gluten-free baked good from Hestia Baking Company!
How do I make my bread last longer?
Our breads have no added preservatives, so you might find that they do not last as long as store-bought bread. We generally recommend freezing over refrigeration as it helps to retain the texture and flavor of the bread better. No special preparation is needed - just keep it in the bag it came in and pop it in the freezer. It'll keep for months in this condition. When you're ready to use it, let the bread thaw at room temperature, then pop it in the oven (375F for soft bread, 400F for crusty bread) for about 5-10 minutes.
If you plan to have your bread ready to use, however, and wish to prolong its freshness, we would suggest popping it in the refrigerator, especially with our English muffins on weeks with high humidity. Toasting it up will help to bring back the texture and enhance the flavor of the sourdough.
Are your products vegan?
We do carry breads that are vegan. Our Pain de Campagne loaf is available weekly and contains only flour, water, and salt. We also have flavored breads available on a rotating basis that are sometimes vegan.
I'm gluten-sensitive. Can I have your bread?
If you have experienced issues with bread in the past, but still love to eat it, we would encourage you to give our breads a try! We have had customers tell us that they are gluten-sensitive, but they are able to enjoy our sourdough products without any problems. Of course, we recommend checking with your doctor if you have any dietary concerns.
What will you have available this week?
We post the week's menu on the News page, so check it out for what will be on offer at the market that week! You can also contact us if you're looking for a specific item.