People have been eating bread since ancient times. What started from the most basic ingredients such as flour, water, sugar, and yeast was elevated upon the addition of other more flavorful ingredients. The economic standing of Roman society was depicted by what kind of bread were consumed by the people. Upper-class Romans enjoyed wheat bread while the lower class ate barley bread. Over time, the Romans added dried fruits such as figs, dates, and apricots, some fresh berries, and nuts, elevating its appearance and giving it more luxurious flavors.
Berry Nut Bread Trivia
- Date and Nut Bread has been such an iconic bread, the US celebrates Date and Nut Bread Day every December 22. During that day, home bakers exchange dates and nut bread with their friends or simply enjoy it with their families.
- Date and Nut Bread are classified as Fruit Loaf which the British traditionally call Tea Loaf. It is made with dried fruits, nuts, and can be spiked with some liquor.
- Some Scandinavian bakers developed their recipe for Nordic Stone Age Bread which is made of nuts, grains, and seeds and does not contain any flour or yeast.
Berry Nut Bread Buying Guide
Berry Nut Bread is deliciously made with either bleached flour or all-purpose flour. It can have strong, fruity flavors and a wide variety of nuts mixed in the dough. You can prefer crusty bread or soft and chewy bread depending on your preference. Despite all these, the bread base is all that matters.
Gluten-free bread uses flour without glutens such as almond flour, oat flour, sorghum flour, coconut flour, tapioca flour, and buckwheat flour. The aroma and flavors depend on the kind of flour used in baking. It has a shorter shelf-life and is less spongy and fluffy than white bread.
Whole wheat bread is made with wheat kernels containing the bran, sperm, and endosperm while whole-grain bread used wheat kernels mixed with other grains such as barley and oats.
Rye bread uses rye grains and wheat for the bread structure. It has a darker color and is denser than most bread.
Berry Nut Bread Production & Farming in Texas
Berry nut bread is available in artisan bakeries where bakers use organic flours, pesticide-free nuts, and seasonal berries to adorn the bread. Flour mill in Texas supplies different types of flour with varying gluten contents to suit your preferred bread texture. There’s also an abundance of poultry and dairy producers selling fresh eggs, and dairy products such as cheese, milk, butter, and cream. Wild and domesticated berries can also be foraged in forests, harvested in small farms, or just bought at micro-producers to purchase small quantities.
Preservatives and Chemicals
Commercially manufactured berry nut bread contains preservatives and chemicals that can trigger allergies and may be harmful to people with pre-existing illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, and cancer.
Propionic acids from calcium, sodium, and potassium are used to preserve bread by preventing bacterial growth. High levels of consumption among children may lead to propionic acidemia, a rare metabolic disorder in which the body will be unable to process proteins and fats. This can lead to cardiac abnormalities, coma, and seizures. For children, daily consumption of propionic acid results in learning disabilities and gastrointestinal illnesses.
Packaging
Berry Nut bread can be packaged in various ways to suit its purpose. Commercially produced berry nut bread is usually packaged in plastic bags enclosed either with plastic clip closure or a wire twist tie. However, artisan-produced berry nut bread can be simply packaged in a paper bag secured with ribbons or tapes to lessen plastic waste.
Enjoying Berry Nut Bread
Berry Nut bread can be eaten for a light breakfast and is best paired with strong, bittersweet coffee. It also makes a great brunch or afternoon snack since the fruitiness of the berries and the earthiness of the nuts will awaken the senses.
You don’t need jams, jellies, or preserves to pair with your berry nut bread. It’s best to enjoy the natural flavor combinations on their own.
Storage
Berry nut bread has a different shelf life than plain bread because of the added ingredients. Bread with fresh berries has a shorter shelf life than those with dried berries. Freshly baked bread can be stored at room temperature for 3-4 days. Bread with fresh berries must be refrigerated or frozen for 3-4 days. Thaw and heat in the microwave when you’re ready to enjoy.
As a rule, store-bought bread can last at room temperature for 5 to 7 days while homemade bread is safe for 3 to 5 days.
Cooking
Blueberry Bread With Walnuts or Pecans
Serve this moist blueberry loaf bread with a steaming cup of freshly ground coffee.
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 egg (beaten)
1 2/3 cups milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil (canola, safflower, or another kind of neutral oil)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest (finely grated)
1 1/2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen and unthawed)
1/2 cup pecans (or walnuts, chopped)
Procedure:
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9-by-5-by-3-inch loaf pan; set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda; stir with a whisk or spoon to blend thoroughly. Make a well in the center and set it aside.
- In another bowl, whisk the egg with the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Add to the well in dry ingredients. Stir just until the batter is moistened.
- Fold in lemon peel, blueberries, and chopped pecans.
- Spoon into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 75 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the loaf.
- Cool the blueberry bread in the pan on a rack. For even more flavor, wrap the loaf in plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator overnight.
- Serve warm.
