Brakes Sourdough loaves

Source: Brakes

Specialist bakery Nicholas & Harris has worked with foodservice wholesaler Brakes to develop a new range of sourdough breads.

Launching under Brakes’ La Boulangerie brand, the breads are made with a sourdough starter culture that was created in 2012 and has been fed daily since then.

The businesses described the result as a range of subtle flavours and fermented characteristics that are required to produce high-quality artisan breads.

The loaves are made using traditional methods, with the majority being hand produced, including folding, moulding and bulking. No commercial yeast is used and the bread has a long fermentation to enable the loaves to rise naturally, giving the typical sour flavour and open-textured crumb.

The range includes a sourdough half boule that contains only flour, water and salt, and is hand-mixed. The full line-up is:

  • Artisan Plain Sourdough Loaf
  • Artisan Seeded Loaf
  • Artisan Cheese & Onion Sourdough Loaf
  • Artisan Sundried Tomato & Herb Sourdough Loaf
  • Artisan Beetroot & Spelt Sourdough Loaf
  • Artisan Pre Sliced Sourdough Half Boule

“We wanted to create a range of products that any chef would be proud to serve,” said Vanessa Baker, Brakes’ senior category manager for bakery. “Working with Nicholas & Harris, we believe we’ve created a range of really good breads that use traditional methods, but are also commercially viable.”

Nicholas & Harris process and development manager Paul Bown added: ’We have a team of more than 30 craft bakers, so we understand the care and attention that needs to go into each and every loaf we create. We believe that we’ve created a really exciting range that will be a wonderful addition to any menu.”

Nicholas & Harris is part of the Finsbury Food Group and produces a range of goods including sourdough, speciality breads, rolls and hot-cross buns for UK supermarket and foodservice customers.