Rye not?

We started out with our Revolutionary Rye, way back when Tom first started Loaf back in 2009 and it has graced our shelves ever since!

Our recipe was based on Andrew Whitley’s Russian Rye, ours is 100% rye sourdough, topped with toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

Why is it revolutionary? (Everybody wants to know!) Mainly because back when Tom started, no one was making a rye sourdough up here in the Midlands at least! Not only that, but he figured given its Russian roots, he’d pay tribute to their revolutionary history…

If you didn’t already know, Rye is a type of grain, low in gluten, high in fibre, protein and most importantly flavour.

Over the years, we’ve played around with rye specials such as the Borodinsky and Volkornbrot, but this year we’ve decided to feature them more frequently, because rye is great, and ‘rye’ not right?

Our Borodinsky is made with a rye starter and flour, malt extract, molasses and caraway seeds for a surprisingly refreshing flavour despite its density! Find it in the shop on TUESDAYS

Our Volkornbrot, is made with a rye starter and flour, chock-full of sunflower seeds, and kibbled rye for lots of texture! Find it in the shop on THURSDAYS

Will you be trying it? Let us know! Tweet or Tag us – we’d love to see how you’re enjoying it!

Popsicle anyone?

Well the weather may be no good for proving sourdough, but it’s perfect for ice cream!

We’re chuffed to be stocking CREAMED POPS, a brand spanking new Birmingham based, small-batch artisan ice cream lolly brand! We rally behind our fellow Brummie food brands, so we just had to have them!

All natural ingredients, no artificial preservatives and fresh produce, combined to create a super delicious treat! Their ‘pops’ are fast frozen, meaning their ice cream stays silky smooth, creamy and icicle-free.

We’re currently stocking: Cinnamon Toast, Raspberry Cheesecake, Salted Caramel, Carrot Halva, Pure Origin Chocolate and fast-favourite Vietnamese Coffee.

What flavour will you choose?!

The Birmingham Cook Book!

When we were asked if we wanted to contribute to The Birmingham Cook Book, we jumped at the chance!

Find us, along with many familiar faces on the Birmingham food scene inside!

For our contribution, we’ll give you the secret to making your own sourdough starter and how to make your own sourdough bread; plus our superstar Cookery School tutor Lap-Fai Lee, will share his knock-out recipe for Kung Pow Pastrami Bao (#TBT #BAOHOUSE)

We’ll be selling them in our shop (1421 Pershore Rd, Stirchley) from next weekend – These are limited edition, so be sure to pop in and get your copy – don’t miss out!!

(RRP £14.95)

NEW STOCK!

If you’ve been into the shop this week, you may have noticed we’ve got some new stock gracing our shelves!

We’ve curated a spice rack, with spices we use ourselves in the bakery and the cookery school. Some/most of which we haven’t found at our local shops, so you’re welcome!

You’ll find: Za’tar, Ras El Hanout, Sumac, Saffron AND a selection of spices – ORGANIC where we could!

Much to popular demand we’ve also stocked 1kg Peanut Butter, Tahini and Coconut Oil.

You may also notice (or if you follow us on Twitter..) that we’ve got a brand new swanky fridge! Fully stocked with The Happy Gut Hut Kombucha, Milk, Cawston Press drinks cans PLUS NEW Fentimans classics, Chi Coconut water and pure churned butter!

We still stock Pip’s hot sauce, Cuffufle jams, chutneys, vinegars and cordials; Quarter Horse coffee, Union Coffee, Urban Harvest apple juice, eggs and our own Granola mix.

Don’t forget we still sell bread making equipment: locally made peels, scoring knives, scrapers, proving baskets; plus Italian 00, semolina, and rice flours; AND books on bread making, foraging and preserving!

Oh yeah, we sell awesome Loaf canvas tote bags too! (If you spot one out and about, tweet us a photo! @loafonline #loafspotted

Loaf is Changing

Shop Changes

After a successful first year on Stirchley high street Loaf has outgrown the bakery and is expanding to keep up with increasing customer demand for delicious bread & cakes. Thank you to Stirchley Stores volunteers, our customers, bread bond holders, bread club members, our landlords, Loaf directors and staff for making this success possible. At the end of April 2014 Loaf will be taking over the shop from Stirchley Stores in order to meet our growing customer demand. The new bakery shop will be run & managed 100% by Loaf staff.

20th-25th April 2014: Shop closes for refurbishment
End April 2014: New Loaf Bakery shop opens

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The new Loaf Bakery shop will sell:

Our usual selection of delicious bread & cakes
Fresh takeaway lunches & hot drinks
Specialist cookery school equipment (e.g. preserving equipment)
A limited selection of specialist cookery ingredients (e.g. 00 pasta flour, yeast)

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A Special Thankyou

To Stirchley Stores volunteers for your hard work, passion & energy this year. You have brought the community together, & proven that local people are really keen to see positive change on their high street & to see better access to healthy, affordable, & ethically sourced food. We wish you every success in moving forward with new options in the future and hope to see you continue as a co-operative in Stirchley.

Keep an eye on the Loaf website for future shop updates
www.loafonline.co.uk