What is All Natural

As we try to keep our breads and scones as 'natural' as possible and still be able to sell them, we are confronted with the under-regulated problem of what could be considered all natural.

We see that it is a HUGE search term for both Google and Yahoo, but how many people use it and do not produce natural products.

Is all natural flour only whole grain? Some say yes, but have you had a whole grain baquette? - most likely not as they are horrible and un-natural. French artisan bakers did not develop this fine, crunchy, tasty staple of their diet to be all natural and healthy. It was made to perform and sell. Are fortified flours un-natural? My grandma made all her luscious cakes with conventionally refined sugar - good old C&H cane sugar. Now there are beet sugar blends available, but what made the cake sweet was not considered un-natural for the past 60 years.

So off we go into the dark wilderness of 'social responsibility'. Since the goverment cannot regulate - even if they did define - all natural. So, keeping with the guidelines of common perception in an educated market place, here is how we work to keep our breads as natural as possible.

1) no artificial preservatives - sugar is enough
2) no conventionally refined sugar - only Evaporated Cane Juice
3) Only unbleached or whole grain flour (bleaching artificially ages the flour)
4) all outside ingredients may not and we will never add high fructose corn syrup.
5) any flavors added (as our vanilla) must be real vanilla extract
6) we maintain certifications that not items are genetically modified (no-GMO's)
7) whenever possible we use only fresh produce (apples, bananas, oranges, lemons)
8) frozen and dried berries, if infused, must follow these guidelines

Is this enough to satisfy everyone as all natural, NO. But it's the honest truth that we stand by. Most people to cut corners will not keep a close eye on ingredient statements to make sure this happens. You can, unfortuantely, claim to be natural and still use gum emulsifiers as they are plant based.

We are committed to doing things right and doing what we can to help people understand the realities of the Bakery and restaurant world.

Feel free to send us comments or questions at info@mrsappletree.com

Eat well!